Unicorn
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A unicorn is a legendary and mythical creature. It looks like a pony with one long, single white horn on its head. In some pictures unicorns also have horses' feet or a lion's tail. In most myths, a unicorn's blood and horn have mystical powers.
The word unicorn means "one-horned". It comes from the Latin word ūnus, which means one, and cornu which means horn, which term is in itself borrowed from the earlier Greek word monokerōs (also 'one horned').
The term "unicorn" is also used in business to refer to a business startup valued at a billion dollars or more.[1]
Around the world
Unicorns are found in many stories and myths from around the world, especially China and India. In On the Nature of Animals (Περὶ Ζῴων Ἰδιότητος, De natura animalium), Aelian, quoting Ctesias, says that India has a one-horned horse (iii. 41; iv. 52).[2][3] He writes (xvi. 20)[4] that the monoceros (Greek: μονόκερως) was sometimes called cartazonos (Greek: καρτάζωνος), which may be a kind of the Arabic word karkadann, meaning "rhinoceros".
In mythology and heraldry, the unicorn symbolizes innocence, purity and feminine power. It is often seen as the counterpart of the lion, which symbolizes the masculine virtues.
In Western culture, a unicorn's horn is said to have power to heal wounds and sickness, and to neutralize poison. This power was often called alicorn in medieval times, when stories of unicorns became more popular. People purchased expensive "unicorn horns" that were usually Narwhal horns or walrus tusks.
Christian legends say the unicorn is as small as a normal-sized goat. According to these legends, unicorns are so fearful that no hunter can catch them; only a maiden that goes into the forest alone can catch a unicorn. The unicorn will come and fall asleep in the maiden’s lap.
Real animals
Male narwhal (Arctic Ocean)
Walruses with tusks (Arctic Ocean)
Scimitar oryx with one horn
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Unicorn Media
Indus stamp seal and modern impression; unicorn and incense burner or manger, 2600–1900 BC
Wild woman with unicorn, tapestry, c. 1500–1510 (Basel Historical Museum)
Hunt of the Unicorn Annunciation (ca. 1500) from a Netherlandish Book of Hours
The Unicorn in Captivity, one of The Hunt of the Unicorn tapestries, c. 1495–1505, The Cloisters
Sight, from the La Dame à la licorne tapestry set, c. 1500 (Musée de Cluny, Paris)
A rainbow flag flying.
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References
- ↑ The Real Reason Everyone Calls Billion-Dollar Startups 'Unicorns'. International Business Times (3 September 2015).
- ↑ Aelian. On the Nature of Animals (Περὶ Ζῴων Ἰδιότητος, De natura animalium) (c. 220).
- ↑ Aelian. On the Nature of Animals (Περὶ Ζῴων Ἰδιότητος, De natura animalium) (c. 220).
- ↑ Aelian. On the Nature of Animals (Περὶ Ζῴων Ἰδιότητος, De natura animalium) (c. 220).
- ↑ Why is the Unicorn Scotland's national animal?Scotsman. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
Sources
- Lindahl, Carl. "Unicorn." World Book Advanced. World Book, 2012. Web. 29 Nov. 2012.
- SuperScience: Mythical Creatures Revealed. Scholastic, May 2006. Web. 29 Nov. 2012. <http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=11851 Archived 2010-03-07 at the Wayback Machine>.