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What are Unicorns?
Unicorns are mythilogical, magical creatures
from European folklore, unicorns in modern
times have the bodies and heads of horses
and they have a magical spiral horn on
their forheads. While the traditional
unicorn was believed to have a billy-goats
beard, a lion's tail, and cloven hooves
- that distinguish it from a horse.
Unicorns were considered wild woodland
creature, that were a symbol of purity
and grace, Unicorns were so special it
was thought they could only be captured
by a virgin. The unicorn is universally
beautiful, mysterious and difficult to
capture or tame.
It was believed that the unicorns horn
had magical healing properties. Without
it's horn a unicorn is defenseless and
sure to die.
Foreign Names for Unicorn
Arabia: Karkadann
China: Kilin
Dutch: Eenhoorn
Finnish: Yksisarvinen
French: Licorne
German: Einhorn
Greek: Monokeros
Herbrew: Had-Keren
Italian: Alicorno
Japan: Kirin
Japan: Sin-you
Japan: Ikkakujuu
Latin: Unicornis
Latvian: Vienradzis
Lithuanian: Vienaragis
Norweigan: Enhjørning
Persia: Karkadann
Polish: Jednorozec
Portuguese: Unicórnio
Romanian: Inorog
Russian: Yedinorog
Spanish: Unicornio
Swedish: Enhörning
Welsh: Uncorn
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Other Names: Kardunn, Karkadann,
Re'em,
History: Unicorn stories originated
in ancient Greece, over 2,000 years ago.In
300 BC, scholars translating the Old Testament
from Hebrew into Greek concluded that
the Hebrew term Re'em referred to a unicorn.
In Asia unicorns first appeared in history,
around 2700 BC, the unicorn is described
as a creature of great power and wisdom.
Unicorn Healing
Lore
St. Hildegard, believed
in the power of the Unicorn to
heal illness.
The Unicorn even
became the apothecaries' symbol
in medieval times.
Shoes made from
a unicorn are said to result in
healthy feet and legs.
Ground Unicorn horn
was said to cure fever, plague,
epilepsy, rabies, gout, and a
host of other ailments.
Unicorn liver was
said to be a cure for leprosy.
A belt made from
a unicorn, that is worn around
the body is said to ward off plague
and fever.
Unicorns are said
to be able to banish evil, dispelling
anything evil.
A unicorn's horn
was also thought to detect poison,
and if dipped in a poisoned drink,
the horn causes the poison to
be rendered harmless.
Powdered unicorn
horn was thought to be an aphrodisiac.
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Meanings: Unicorns symbolize purity,
chastity and virginity. They are considered
powerful and peaceful creatures. The mythological
unicorn was a symbol of chivalry with qualities
befitting this status, proud and untamable.
Myths in Culture:
Arabia/Persia: The unicorn known
as Karkadann, in Persian culture, was
a violent, warlike unicorn, born in
blood and vehement in battle.
Asia: It was believed that as
long as humans showed greed, anger,
war, and hunger was around, the unicorn
would remain elusive, hidden and wild.
China: Chi'lin was the Chinese
equivalent of unicorns. Chi'lin was
said to be a creature of great power
and wisdom. Chi'lin would appear at
special times. Its appearance was always
considered a sign of good fortune. When
a ruler was just and kind and the times
peaceful and prosperous, the unicorn
would appear. Chi'lin would also appear
when a great leader was about to die
or be born.
Japan: Japan's version of a
unicorn was called Sin-you. Sin-you
was known for the ability to know right
from wrong, and they were often called
upon to determine the guilt or innocence
of individuals.
Vietnam: In Vietnamese culture,
a yearly unicorn dance is held on the
full moon of the eighth month, the beginning
of the monsoon season. People would
put on masks and costumes to conceal
their identity. They would hang an effigy
of a unicorn on a platform. Archers
then shoot at the effigy, while singing.
After the song is sung, the rains would
begin.
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Unicorns
