One of the earliest representations of a unicorn-like creature comes from the Bronze Age Indus Valley civilisation (3300–1300 BCE), where seals depict a one-horned animal resembling a bull. These artifacts suggest that the concept of a one-horned creature may have originated in this region. Similarly, in ancient Mesopotamia and Persia, animals with singular horns symbolised power and divine authority, further shaping early unicorn myths.

In Western literature, unicorns were first mentioned by Greek historians. Ctesias, a Greek physician of the 4th century BCE, wrote about a one-horned animal in Indica, describing it as a wild ass from India with a single, multicolored horn. His account likely stemmed from misinterpretations of animals like the rhinoceros or oryx.

Later, Roman naturalists, such as Pliny the Elder, also described one-horned creatures, reinforcing the association of unicorns with exotic, far-off lands.

During the Middle Ages, unicorns took on profound symbolic meaning in Europe. They were often depicted in Christian art as symbols of purity and grace, closely associated with the Virgin Mary. Medieval literature described them as elusive creatures that could only be tamed by a virgin maiden. [Ed: Rare bait indeed] This symbolism is beautifully illustrated in The Hunt of the Unicorn, a series of 15th-century tapestries depicting the capture of a unicorn, which was seen as an allegory for both purity and Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection.

The Renaissance and brought new interpretations of the unicorn myth. Explorers returned with exotic animals, and narwhal tusks from the Arctic were often sold as genuine unicorn horns, believed to possess magical and medicinal properties. These “horns” were highly sought after by European nobility. However, by the 18th century, scientific skepticism began to challenge the belief in unicorns. Naturalists like Carl Linnaeus included the unicorn as a mythical version of what he classified to be a Monocerus or Monodon.

In modern times, unicorns are seen as symbols of fantasy, magic and individuality. They frequently appear in children’s literature, toys and popular culture – often depicted as colourful and gentle beings.

But wait, there’s more!

By the beginning of the 21st century, unicorns also became a queer icon, second only to the rainbow flag. There’s no consensus on how the unicorn became a gay icon, but its relevance likely relates to one or more of the following aspects of gaydom: uniqueness, magical quality, and elusiveness. Some also argue that the gender fluidity of the unicorn makes it a suitable representation of the LGBTQI+ community. In ancient myths, the unicorn is portrayed as male, whereas in the modern times, it is depicted as a female creature.

Finally, unicorns have also become a metaphor for rarity and success in the business world, where “unicorn” company is a startup that is privately owned and not listed on a share market, that is valued at over US$1 billion. The term was first coined in 2013 by venture capitalist Aileen Lee, choosing the mythical animal to represent the statistical rarity of such success.

Story Idea: Dom Knight
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References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unicorn
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/17/t-magazine/unicorns-culture-myth.html
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/oct/15/return-of-the-unicorn-the-magical-beast-of-our-times
https://www.zmescience.com/research/siberian-unicorn/
https://www.mic.com/life/how-did-unicorns-get-so-gay-investigation-23625803

Images

1. This woodcut is an illustration from the book The history of four-footed beasts and serpents by Edward Topsell, 1658
2. Indus stamp seal, 2600–1900 BCE
3. The gentle and pensive maiden has the power to tame the unicorn, fresco by Domenichino, c. 1604–1605 (Palazzo Farnese, Rome)
4. Wild woman with unicorn, tapestry, c. 1500–1510 (Basel Historical Museum)
5. The Unicorn is in Captivity tapestry c. 1495–1505, The Cloisters
6. Arms of Merkinė, Lithuania
7. The Siberian unicorn is related to the rhino, was the size of a woolly mammoth, had fur and walked like a horse. Its horn was very long and blade-like. Credit: Heinrich Harder, Wikimedia Commons
8. Narwhal with tusk
9. AI generated unicorn. Credit: vwalakte via freepik.com
10. US spacecraft manufacturer SpaceX is a "centicorn" (US$100 billion unicorn)