| Unicorn | |
|---|---|
 | |
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Similar Creatures |
Qilin, Re'em, Indrik, Shadhavar, Camahueto, Karkadann |
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First Appearance |
Worldwide Mythology |
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Created by |
Unknown |
Origin[]
The unicorn is a legendary creature that has been described since antiquity as a beast with a single large, pointed, spiraling horn projecting from its forehead.
In European literature and art, the unicorn has for the last thousand years or so been depicted as a white horse- or goat-like animal with a long straight horn with spiraling grooves, cloven hooves, and sometimes a goat's beard. In the Middle Ages and Renaissance, it was commonly described as an extremely wild woodland creature, a symbol of purity and grace, which could be captured only by a virgin. In encyclopedias, its horn was described as having the power to render poisoned water potable and to heal sickness. In medieval and Renaissance times, the tusk of the narwhal was sometimes sold as a unicorn horn.
In heraldry the unicorn is best known as a symbol of Scotland: the unicorn was believed to be the natural enemy of the lion – a symbol that the English royals had adopted around a hundred years before
Public Domain Appearances[]
All published appearances of Unicorns from before January 1, 1931, are public domain in the US.
Public Domain Literary Appearances[]
- The Faerie Queene
- Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There (1871)
- The Magic of Oz (1919)
- The King of Elfland's Daughter (1924)
- The Marvellous Land of Snergs (1927)
Public Domain Animated Appearances[]
- Betty in Blunderland (1934)
Public Domain Comic Appearances[]
- World's Greatest Stories #1 - Alice in Wonderland
- Jingle Jangle Comics #13
- Reptisaurus #3
- Airboy Comics v4 #10
- Adventures into the Unknown #78, 89, 103
- Tomb of Terror #10
- Four Color #50
Notes[]
- The Pokémon Ponyta and Rapidash both in their forms from Kanto and Galar are based on unicorns.