the unicorn is a being mythological emblematic, as its physical and behavioral representation changes according to the historical period and geographic location. This animal is usually portrayed as a horse (usually white in adulthood), with only one horn (horn) in the center of the head, hence the name “unicorn”: just a horn.
Although his best-known figure in illustrations, clothing and accessories is a handsome horse with a light coat, some authors give other versions of his appearance. The animal would have the predominance of the horse in its body, elephant legs, tail of Lion or wild boar and a head similar to Hart. However, the horn is always present in the different versions and it is there that the strength and power of the unicorn is concentrated.
Myths are usually born from elements of nature that actually exist, giving them the fantastic character to explain their creation. In the case of the unicorn, there are no concrete records that say where this mythological being came from. Regarding your appearance, a
antelope ancestor it may have been the inspiration, as the prehistoric animal had two horns very close together, located in the center of its head, which from a distance only looked like a horn.behavior and meaning
The unicorn figure refers to purity, to sweetness. However, this animal is portrayed in many cultures as an aloof, aloof, of great strength and certain aggressiveness, endowed with powers in its horn, fur and blood, being, therefore, the object of desire of many hunters.
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The unicorn's vulnerability is in the woman, in the feminine, since only virgin girls would be able to tame it without the use of force. With the need for the Church to propagate the figure of virginity as an “honour”, especially in Middle Ages, the unicorn myth gained more strength in the stories of the time.
The unicorn and its artistic representations
The unicorn is a myth that aroused fascination over the centuries, so it is possible to see the animal stamped on various coats of arms, weapons of war, tapestries and statues. At Scotland, for example, the fantastic being is present in several monuments and is considered the country's animal. One of the hypotheses for this use of his figure would be the representation of power, purity and honor.
In the contemporary world, the unicorn has become an artifact of pop culture. Currently, the animal refers to playfulness, dreams, freedom and is present in clothing, accessories, makeup, decorative items, among others.
Image Credit: anthractic/Shutterstock
By Lorraine Vilela
Journalist
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
CAMPOS, Lorraine Vilela. "Unicorn"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/mitologia/unicornio.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.
