What are Unicorns?
Unicorns are mythological, magical creatures from European folklore. In modern times unicorns have the bodies and heads of horses with a magical spiral horn on their foreheads. The traditional unicorn was believed to have a billy-goat's beard, a lion's tail, and cloven hooves that distinguish it from a horse.
Unicorns were considered wild woodland creatures — a symbol of purity and grace. They 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.
Did You Know?
It was believed that a unicorn's horn had magical healing properties. Without its horn a unicorn is defenseless and sure to die. Ground unicorn horn was said to cure fever, plague, epilepsy, rabies, and gout.
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, described as a creature of great power and wisdom.
The unicorn became the most important imaginary animal of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, when it was commonly described as an extremely wild woodland creature.
Unicorn Names Around the World
| Country | Name |
|---|---|
| Arabia | Karkadann |
| China | Kilin / Chi'lin |
| France | Licorne |
| Germany | Einhorn |
| Greek | Monokeros |
| Italian | Alicorno |
| Japan | Kirin / Ikkakujuu |
| Latin | Unicornis |
| Spanish | Unicornio |
| Welsh | Uncorn |
Symbolism & Meaning
Unicorns symbolize purity, chastity, and virginity. They are considered powerful and peaceful creatures. The mythological unicorn was a symbol of chivalry — proud and untamable, with qualities befitting a creature of noble spirit.
Healing Lore
- St. Hildegard believed in the power of the Unicorn to heal illness.
- The Unicorn became the apothecaries' symbol in medieval times.
- Shoes made from a unicorn are said to result in healthy feet and legs.
- A unicorn's horn was thought to detect poison — dipped in a poisoned drink, it renders the poison harmless.
- Unicorns are said to be able to banish evil and dispel anything wicked.
- A belt made from a unicorn, worn around the body, is said to ward off plague and fever.
Myths in Culture
Arabia/Persia: The unicorn known as Karkadann was a violent, warlike unicorn, born in blood and vehement in battle.
China: Chi'lin was the Chinese equivalent of the unicorn — a creature of great power and wisdom. Its appearance was always considered a sign of good fortune, appearing when a ruler was just and kind.
Japan: Japan's version, Sin-you, was known for the ability to know right from wrong, often called upon to determine guilt or innocence.
Vietnam: A yearly unicorn dance is held on the full moon of the eighth month. Archers shoot at an effigy of a unicorn while singing — after the song, the rains begin.
