"Well, now that we have seen each other," said the unicorn, "if you'll believe in me, I'll believe in you." -- Lewis Carroll; Through the Looking Glass
The image portrayed in the border to the left is that most commonly associated with what is called the European Unicorn. Often portrayed as a horse with a single spiraled horn emerging from the center of its forehead, although not all instances indicate the horn is spiraled. The Unicorn is considered a symbol of purity, virginity, freedom, healing, and protection.
The Unicorn, according to Greek myth is the product of Zeus breaking off the horn of Amalthea (the she-goat which nursed Zeus as a child). This is also the origin of the Cornucopia, or Horn of Plenty according to some Greek myths.
Also known as Monoceros, or one horned, the Unicorn under this name has a constellation.
Only a virgin could approach the Unicorn without it attacking or fleeing.
The
Horn was said to bleed when in the presence of poisoned
food. The Horn was also capable of curing any poison that
it contacted.
"To this day, it is said,
malicious animals poison this water after sundown, so
that none can thereupon drink it. But early in the
morning, as soon as the sun rises, a unicorn comes out of
the ocean, dips his horn into the water to expel the
venom from it so that the other animals may drink thereof
during the day. This as I describe it, I saw it with my
own eyes." -- Johannes van Hesse of Utrecht; 1389
The spirit of Freedom in the Unicorn was so great that legend held they could not be held captive alive. Often this is seen as a sign of the Unicorn's Pride.
Some claimed that the Unicorn is the Guardian of the Tree of Life.
Links:
Unicorn Realm
