Unicorn Myths

Did you know that somewhere between 15,000 to 18,000 new creatures are discovered each year? Out of those animals how about many land animals out of these animals do you think there are? Out of the land animals, what sort of animals do you think could someday get discovered? Possibly even mythical beings could be discovered some day. Not just monsters, but maybe even peaceful creatures. Are you thinking about what creature I am thinking of? I’m thinking of a creature that has the body of a horse or donkey and is famous for its magical horn. Yes, I’m thinking of the Unicorn. The Unicorn is a Creature that that can be found throughout history, possesses many magical abilities and has many different relationships with different creatures.
The Unicorn can be spotted controversially throughout history, in China, the Bible, European mythology, and many other places.
Back then, the unicorn myth was very widespread throughout cultures, where it still exists today. The Unicorn myth is ancient, about 2,516 years. “The Founder of the unicorn myth was Cteius who was a Greek philosopher. He created the myth in 5th century B.C.” (Animalist 13 seconds - 23 seconds) According to Animalist, he created the myth when he heard of a horned donkey roaming the wild. The unicorn myth became publicized quickly and arose quickly in western myths. The European Unicorn myth is about how one day some hunters tried to catch a unicorn, but the unicorn was too swift. Since they could not catch them, forced a young maiden tame him. “The unicorn came to a stop in front of a beautiful young maiden sitting under a tree… But it was a trap”(American History Museum 3). According to the myth, the unicorn was captured, but as the young maiden washed her tears in a stream, she thought she saw a glimpse of a unicorn. This myth was the foundation upon which the widespreadness of the
Unicorn was built. The Unicorn is also on the royal coat of arms in Scotland. “The Unicorn has been a part of the Royal Seal of Scotland since the 1300s.” (Jungle book 9). Now, the coat of arms also contains lion, but nevertheless, the unicorn still remains. The unicorn was a popular creature a long time ago and is still popular today. Even Christopher Columbus thought he saw a unicorn, but he actually saw a rhinoceros. The unicorn myth can still be found controversially found in other ancient cultures as well. The myth can be found in the bible, it is also on the royal coat of arms in Scotland, and the unicorn also appeared in Chinese mythology as a good omen. Despite the fact that the unicorn has very diverse roots, it has always had similar powers in the myths.

The Unicorn also possesses many magical abilities that are useful for both humans and unicorns alike.
The Unicorn is conversely famous for its horn, also known as an alicorn. Humans have been using these “Horns” for centuries in many different ways. The Unicorn’s horn can, when dipped in poison can render that poison harmless. The Horn of a unicorn “was thought to neutralize poisons.” (Owens 2). The horn would be dipped in the drink of the royals in case there was poison in the drink. The Unicorn is also very swift, and “it is so elusive that no person can catch it.” (Unknown 5). Nevertheless, the unicorn can be tamed by a young maiden. The speed of the Unicorn aided it in the European myth and was able to outrun the hunters. The Unicorn’s horn “If made into a cup, would protect one from any poison that might have been added to one's drink.” (Owens 2) The cup would neutralize any poison placed in the drink. The cup would work the same as the horn did, but it would work faster, and you would not have to worry about whether or not you put the horn in. The People who were supposedly using a “unicorn horn” were actually using the tusk of a narwhal. The Narwhal is a sea dwelling creature, which has a tusk that looks similar to the pictures painted by the myths of the unicorn. The unicorn is famous for these powers throughout myths, and are they are still famous today. The speed of the unicorn helped the unicorn escape from hunters, while the horn of the unicorn
aided people by dispelling poison.

Unicorns also have many different relationships with different creatures, human, and creature. The Unicorn is most of the time peaceful, but they do attack some animals. The Unicorn’s main enemy is the elephant. “Jewish legend says they can kill an elephant” (Unknown 6). The Unicorn kills the elephant with its immense strength when attacked. The Unicorn is also the enemy of a lion. “The Lion, upon seeing the unicorn, seizes the unicorn in his jaws”(Thomson 1:49 - 1:57) The unicorn will, therefore, attack the lion with its back legs, but the fights between these two are mostly fair. The Unicorn does not seek to harm humans. “Never does a unicorn pose a threat to humans, or any other creature that does not seek first to harm them.” (Unknown 8) They only attack animals that want to harm them, and otherwise, do not bother humans. Other than the elephant and the lion, the unicorn does not have contact with a lot of other creatures. They prefer to live solitary in the desert the majority of the time. The Unicorn may have a few enemies, but it will always be a friend to humans and many other creatures.

The Unicorn has been found throughout history, possesses magical abilities and has many different relations with animals. They have always been popular throughout mythology and can be found in the Bible, Scotland, Greece, China and much more. Throughout these myths, they are known for their astounding speed, and the ability to render poison harmless. Also, throughout these myths, they are known to be the enemy of lions and elephants but do not bother other creatures unless they are attacked. These points are all included in most of the unicorn myths and will remain imprinted in history.