Unicorns | ||
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Unicorns | ||
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To many of us, the Unicorn is a creature that we aspire to be. We desire to experience the magic, the nobility, the purity and the beauty that is the Unicorn. So, it doesn't exist in our s called real world or so we are told, we can still admire it and aspire to be it. There are a lot worse things that we can hold up as role models.
Unicorns don't care if you believe in them anymore than you care if they believe in you.
Throughout this month's newsletter you will find things about the Unicorn and the Pegasus, an animal a little like the Unicorn but with wings so that it can fly into the sky, as we wish we could be free to do. You will find some songs and poetry gathered from all over the world. Pictures, and little stories about them. Even information on some movies and books that are around that you can find. We hope you will enjoy this newsletter, and be free with these fascinating, beloved creatures.
Modern theory holds that the ancients may have been describing a rhinoceros or an oryx seen in profile so that its two horns appeared as one. Others hold that at one time there were in Africa a type of one horned cattle that could have been mistaken for unicorns. And certain tribesmen in Africa and Asia have at times transplanted horns onto the foreheads of their cattle for purposes of special identification.
But there are also rare accounts by travelers which seem to describe the magical beast we recognize today. Ludovico de Varthema in the 16th century, wrote of seeing two captive unicorns in the holy city of Mecca which had been sent from Ethiopia. He wrote:
The elder is formed like a colt of thirty months old, and he has a horn in the forehead, which horn is about three arm's length in length. The other unicorn is like a colt of one year old, and its horn is about four hand's length long. The colour of the animal resembles that of a dark bay horse, and his head resembles that of a stag; his neck is not very long, and he has some thin and short hair which hangs on one side; his legs are slender and lean like those of a goat; the foot is a little cloven in the forepart, and long and goat-like, and there are some hairs on the hind part of said legs.
The bay coloring of this beast is similar to the unicorns written of by explorer W. Winwood Reade in 1864. WHile he had never seed a unicorn himself, he had researched many reported sightings and felt that many were reliable. One such was quoted by a priest from the testimony of a Portuguese sailor, no date was given for this description:
The country of the unicorn, which is an animal of Africa where only it is known, is the province of Agoa, in the kingdom of Damotes, although it is occasionally seen in more distant places. This animal is as large as a fine horse, dark bay in color, the mane and tail black, short, and thin, though in other parts of the province was observed to be longer and thicker. on the forehead there is a beautiful horn five palms long, as they are usually painted, being nearly white. They live in the woods and retired thickets, sometimes coming out onto the plains, where they are not often seen, because ther are timid animals, not numerous, and easily hidden in the wood...
Another famous report on unicorns comes from the letter of Prester John, a medieval king who settled in the far reaches of the then known world and may have been a mythological figure himself! He wrote:
And in our land are also unicorns. They are black and green and they slay many lions. And the lion slays the unicorn with subtleness. When the unicorn is resting at a tree, the lion comes and runs around the tree. The unicorn then runs after him and would fain slay him. Then he runs into the tree with his horn so hard that he cannot pull it out again. Then the lion comes and has mastery of the unicorn.
The popular unicorn that we are familiar with is a beautiful, graceful creature, usually white. It resembles a cross between a goat and a horse. The hooves are cloven, it has a small beard, the tail is smooth with a tuft on the end (like a lion's) and the mane and head are usually very stylized. This is the beast made popular in medieval and Renaissance art. The legendary unicorn was rare and difficult to catch. It became a symbol for purity on one hand and sensuality on the other. The purity aspect is reflected in the belief that unicorn purifies pools of water by simply dipping its horn into it. This belief carried over into the practice of making cups from unicorn horns, which would render any poison harmless if it was in the liquid. In reality, these cups were made from other types of horn, particularly the narwhal, a horned whale. Once the medieval church began to expand the legend, the unicorn went beyond just being a symbol for purity and began to be associated directly with Christ. The famous unicorn tapestries showing the hunt and capture of the unicorn were believed to represent the religious allegory of the Passion of Christ with the beautiful Unicorn in Captivity symbolizing the Resurrection and Christ in Paradise.
As for the sensuous side of the beast, well horned beasts were considered very virile and the unicorn was especially so. The association with virgins (only a virgin could capture a unicorn by sitting quietly and waiting for it to puts its head into her lap) could also be taken two ways. And for awhile, previous to the 15th century, anything associated with the wild nature was considered suspect and probably sinful. This was not really the true attitude of the church but reflected some of the ideas of the heresies that sprang up at that time. (i.e. Spiritual = Good, Natural = Bad)
Whatever the case may be, the unicorn is a beautiful beast and has inspired artists and storytellers for centuries, right down to modern times. Something appeals to us in its form and its rarity that makes us want to know more about it. It is a kind of the "Holly Grail" of the horse world. My all time favorite book on unicorns is De Historia et Veritate Unicorns - On the History and Truth of the Unicorn by Michael Green. Sadly out of print now, but well worth searching for. Done in the style of a reproduced ancient manuscript from 'hidden' sources. It's just beautiful, especially the older, hard bound version. Look for it if you can!
Some Unicorn Books | |
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by Anne McCaffrey | Three space miners find a survival pod in space; inside lays Acorna, a unicorn-like infant. She soon grows and develops extraordinary abilities. An interesting book! |
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by Jean Marzollo | This is about a baby unicorn who is trying to earn her horn. She is the last of the unicorns; her mother tries to keep her safe, but they go off together in search of other unicorns. Great children's story |
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by Jane Yolen | A collection of new and previously published stories and poems about unicorns by the author. |
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by Nigel Suckling | This book contains the myths and legends concerning unicorns as well as gorgeous artwork. |
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by Bruce & Katherine Coville | This is for children. A captivating book having everything to keep a young reader occupied for hours: magic, an evil witch, a good little girl, and a unicorn. Sarah tries to keep her friendship with a unicorn a secret from her wicked aunt. |
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by Jane Yolen | In this novel, a boy and a girl form an unlikely friendship to protect a unicorn from hunters. |
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by James Cross Giblin | This novel covers the history of unicorns, Chinese legends, Indian myths, and tales from the Western world from Deuteronomy to Julius Caesar. The unicorn tapestries are discussed along with medieval beliefs and the uses of unicorns' horns. |
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by Geraldine McCaughrean | For children. When Noah calls the animals onto the ark, the unicorns stop along the way to assist and encourage other animals in difficulty and, therefore, miss the boat. |
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by Robert Vavra | This a unique book. It includes breathtaking photography and information on unicorn behavior, history, and some of the author's own experiences with unicorns. Beautifully done! |
In every person's life there is at least one book or movie or play or song that inexplicably captures their imagination, burrows deep into their psyche, and never lets go. The Last Unicorn by Peter S Beagle is one for many of us.
The story follows the Unicorn (she is never given a proper name) who leaves her enchanted forest where she has lived forever, only to find there are no other unicorns left in the worl. She goes on to a quest to find what has happened to them and is joined by an incompetent wizard, Schmendrick the magician, and a middle-aged scullery maid, Molly Grue. After being captured by a witch, then rescued by Schmendrick, they travel to the castle of King Haggard, having heard that he and his magical creature, the Red Bull, have imprisoned all the other unicorns. Before arriving, the Red Bull appears and begins to chase the Unicorn. Schmendrick saves her life by turning her into a human woman, thwarting the Bull which can only see unicorns. The Unicorn is revolted at having been turned into a human, but Schmendrick explains that is is the only way they can get into the castle. He names her Lady Amalthea and the three of them reach the castle. King Haggard thinks he recognizes her as a unicorn, but allows them to stay as his new 'playthings.' The king's adopted son, Prince Lir falls in love in love with Amalthea and devotes himself to trying to win her love.
Schmendrick and Molly work at trying to find the lost unicorns before Amalthea looses her memory of being a unicorn and becomes completely a mortal human being. With persistence they finally realize where the lost unicorns are, and with Amalthea they set out to rescue them. There is a fight between Prince Lir and the Red Bull, and Amalthea who is changed back into her Unicorn form and the Bull. If you haven't seen the movie or read the book, you will have to to hear the end of the story!!
The book was made into an animated movie in 1981, and can still be seen on TV now and then. This movie is a joint US-Japanese production; it is very nicely done. The voices of the characters are, Mia Farrow as the unicorn/Amlthea, Alan Arkin as Schmendrick, Tammy Grimes as Molly Grue, Christopher Lee as King Haggard and Jeff Bridges as Prince Lir. Many other character voices included, Angela Lansbury, Keenan Wynn, Robert Klein and others all combined to help make this movie the 'magic' it was.
It is a story, not just a children's story, for all ages, reading as an adventure sotry or as a fantastic exploration of the nature of truth, beauty, immortallity, and the purpose of life. If you haven't seen the movie or read the book, do it, you will enjoy the story from beginning to end.
For more information on related mythical creatures visit:
For more information on unicorns visit:
Sources for most of this information were found on the internet.
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© 1997-2007
NW Breyer Horse Club & Refiner of Gold Creations Equinealities in place since 1997, Section in place 2001, Updated 3/13/2007 |
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