In old western tradition, the first named animal by Adam and Eve was the unicorn. In eastern tradition, the universe was an egg that hatched with the help of man, The Dragon, The Phoenix, Tortois, and The Unicorn.
Unicorns are symbols of innocence and truth. They can be calmed and touched only by the pure and/or virgin.
Legends of the unicorn go back into the mists of time. Even Julius Caesar mentions unicorns existing in fields in Germany. Even today, there is a cave called Einhornhohle where unicorns are said to exist.
The Lion and the Unicorn have existed together for centuries. Representing the sun and the moon, they are often portrayed in constant battle for dominance.
The ancient book, Physiologus Graecus, was an encyclopedia of strange and mystical creatures including the unicorn. It gave the habit and lives of unicorns, but no one knows who actually wrote it.
The earliest description in Greek literature of a single-horned animal was by the historian Ctesias (c. 400 BC)
The horn of a unicorn is called an alicorn. It was thought to be a magical item capable of wonders such as healing the sick. Many kings and emperors searched for such horns to strenghten their power bases or increase their prestige. Elizabeth I of England was said to possess an alicorn, but from a sea unicorn. It was thought to neutralize poisons.
The narwhal is an aquatic mammal from the North Atlantic. It's one major feature is a long spiral tooth that comes out from it's jaw and can grow to 8ft in length. The ancient Vikings and Arabs harvested these teeth and sold them as alicorns.
"Well, now that we have seen each other," said the Unicorn, "if you'll believe in me, I'll believe in you. Is that a bargain?"
"If you like," said Alice.
--- Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking Glass (1946)
Around 2800, the Chinese emperor Fu Hsi saw a creature called the k'i-lin. (Chinese name for unicorn) It had strange markings on its coat, which the Emperor used to create a written language. It was believed seeing a k'i-lin was good luck and signaled the birth of a good emperor.
The constellation Monoceros represents a unicorn.
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