Unicorn

Unicorn · Monoceros — Legendary Horse with a Sacred Horn

The unicorn is a legendary creature in the form of a white horse with a single spiraling horn on its forehead, a symbol of purity, virginity, and divinity. Originating from ancient Greek physician Ctesias's monoceros, it developed extensively in medieval Europe. Medieval bestiaries depicted it as a creature too fierce and fast for hunters to catch directly, willingly lying down only on the lap of a virgin maiden — religious iconographic allegory of the Virgin Mary and Christ's Passion. The horn, called 'alicorn,' was believed to neutralize all poisons, with real unicorn horns (actually narwhal tusks) traded for more than gold in medieval European royal courts. Standing alongside the lion (England) on the British royal coat of arms is the unicorn (Scotland). In American English, 'unicorn' also means 'extremely rare thing.' A sacred creature in every fantasy work from Harry Potter to Lord of the Rings.