FREE! - Unicorn Augmented Reality (AR) 3D Model

What is a unicorn?

A unicorn is a strong, horse-like animal with a single horn in the centre of its forehead and is considered to be a pure and graceful creature. The word 'unicorn' is made from the Latin ‘uni-’ (meaning ‘one’) and ‘cornu’ (meaning ‘horn’) so the creature's name means ‘one horn’.

Unicorns are said to be good and pure creatures that have magical powers. They are so fast that humans cannot catch them; the only way that they can be caught is by tempting them with an innocent maiden until they climb into her lap!

Unicorns are one of the oldest and most well-known mythical creatures. There are stories about unicorns that are told in many different countries and cultures; they are often used as symbols of love, marriage and religion. In more recent times, unicorns have also become symbols of uniqueness, diversity and inclusivity.

What magical powers does a unicorn have?

Unicorns are rumoured to have magical powers. It is said that drinking the blood of a unicorn can heal people and that unicorns' horns can clean contaminated water.

Unicorns are also believed to have the ability to live forever.

Unicorns Around the World

Unicorns appear in stories from different countries and cultures around the world; they can vary a little in some of the characteristics and descriptions given but most describe unicorns as being very strong and difficult to catch. Unicorns often symbolise innocence, purity and female power.

A single-horned animal was described in ancient Greek natural history: it was the size of a horse and had a white body, a purple head and blue eyes. Its pointed horn was white at its base, black in the middle and red at its tip. The animal could run very fast and was very difficult to catch. It was believed that anyone who drank from its horn would be protected from stomach problems, epilepsy and the effects of poison.

In some ancient myths of China, the qilin is very similar to a unicorn. It is described as being a combination of a unicorn, a lion and a dragon!

The unicorn is the national animal of Scotland so there are two of them on the Scottish coat of arms. There is also a unicorn next to a lion on the British coat of arms to represent the union between Scotland and England.