What Is the Origin of the Unicorn?

Mystical animal par excellence, the unicorn is a fantastic and magical being which seduces crowds with its charm, its legendary purity and its very cute side. So what is a unicorn really, what is its symbolism and what are its powers? Zoom in on this fabulous animal that leaves no one indifferent.

What does the Unicorn symbolize?

The unicorn – also called the unicorn – is a legendary single-horned creature, whose origins come from Greek mythology, centaurs and other mythical creatures. However, its controversial origin is also the result of many diverse influences, such as the antelope and the rhino, of which it is in fact the ancestor. The history of this imaginary animal therefore depends on the stories of explorers as well as the discoveries of Antiquity and the Middle Ages.

The evil unicorn of yesteryear

Since the Middle Ages, the unicorn in human form has represented the most important mythical animal in the entire Christian West. This mythology represented on tapestry will retain all its mystery and we imagined a unicorn with an equine body with the face of an evil man, a goat's goatee, cloven hooves and a powerful horn in the middle of its forehead. The latter, straight, spiraled and pointed, represented its main characteristic. Some translations of the Bible consider this horn to be evil. She is said to be the origin of purifying and blood-drinking vampires, capable of curing all illnesses and living forever. 

The unicorn these days

Later in history, theologians, doctors, alchemists and naturalists associated the horn of the unicorn with the teeth of the narwhal, an Arctic marine mammal. It was only a few decades ago that the pretty fairytale and fantastic unicorn that we know today appeared. This one has a coat as white and as soft as that of a rabbit, the appearance of a pony, multicolored hair and the magic horn resembling a fairy wand. This new kind of unicorn has replaced the legendary monster.

What is the power of the Unicorn?

Unicorns have always been considered fantastic creatures, endowed with magical, mythical and exceptional powers. Like the centaur or the werewolf, unicorns are given healing and superhuman powers. Moreover, according to certain legends, the unicorn's horn has even more powers than the magic wands of fairies or the most powerful weapons of griffins and chimeras.

Unicorns have the power to grant wishes

Emblem of grace and purity, unicorns are the symbol of kindness and generosity. For a unicorn to grant your wishes, it is important that you are a grateful, caring and pure-hearted person. If you are one of the people who believe in unicorns, do not hesitate to ask them for help because they are like the angels or like the constellation pegasus. Unicorns can help and/or protect you. However, they can also make your life difficult if you are a dark-hearted person.

Unicorns have the power to read souls and discern truth from lies. While a unicorn can be as adorable as a fairy in a storybook, it can also be evil when the need arises or when dealing with someone with bad intentions.

The Horn of the Unicorn: a powerful weapon of healing or destruction

You should know that the unicorn's horn is the greatest source of the power of this mythical animal. This majestic horn is long and sharp, presenting a pretty spiral shape. She is able to cure many illnesses such as fever, wounds and various pains. To use it as a remedy, simply drink a liquid that has been touched by the horn or let the horn touch the affected part. 

According to history, poachers of old went hunting for unicorns with the help of a young virgin woman in order to seize the power of its horn. Indeed, unicorn horn powder is said to have unique therapeutic properties and could even treat the most fatal wounds. Additionally, the unicorn horn would have been able to purify poisonous waters. This is also why unicorns were generally found near lakes, rivers or fountains.

Do unicorns exist?

According to recent studies, unicorns were not just mythological creatures. They existed and disappeared by starving. Still according to researchers and scientists, real unicorns had a physique more akin to a large hairy rhinoceros rather than a sequined soft toy or a white pony with a multi-colored mane and golden horn.

The Siberian unicorn was in fact the Elasmotherium: a giant mammal 4 meters long and 3.5 tonnes. The latter lived in Asia and had a horn almost a meter long. It would also be this horn which would be at the origin of its extinction. Indeed, the vast meadows have gradually disappeared and given way to cold areas where only a few trees grew. Unicorns are said to have died of starvation, not being able to lift their heads to grab leaves from trees, due to the weight of their horns. 

Why does the Unicorn have a horn?

The unicorn horn is a legendary object which has long fascinated young and old alike. In the past, travelers to Persia called the unicorn the “monoceros”. The unicorn horn would once have been the powerful symbolism of the male phallus, revered or feared by the lady of the unicorn. Moreover, according to recent research, the unicorn really existed and was an animal as strange as it was ferocious, like the dinosaurs.

Western bestiaries once described the unicorn as a symbol of purity and grace, which would have been attracted by the smell of virginity, devouring pure young girls to increase their power. In reality, the unicorn's horn is only an element of its physical appearance, but one that makes it a legendary animal.