Unicorn

There's so much to be discovered, you can probably spend a lifetime researching the mythical creature from European folklore called the unicorn. In short; it's origin can be traced back as far as the ancient Greeks, where a one-horned horse was described in On the Nature of Animals, originating from India. It get's mentioned in early copies of the bible. It's said to be a fierce and powerful creature, un-tamable. Various East Asian cultures treasure mythical creatures, amongst is the Qilin, but it's characteristics indicate unintended conflation. Going fast forward a dozen of Centuries we enter

into Medieval and Renaissance Europe...  

The Hunt Of The Unicorn 

Southern Netherlands (1495 - 1505)

By that time the myth of the Unicorn was embraced by many. Various religious and cultural movements took it on board and interpreted it to their likings. It's death could stand for The Passion of Christ, or it's surrender to the maid as a metaphor for beguiled lovers. 

"Hunters can catch the unicorn only by placing a young virgin in his haunts. No sooner does he see the damsel than he runs towards her, and lies down at her feet, and so suffer himself to be captured by the hunters."

Clerc de Normandie, Le Bestiaire Divin de Guillame (13th Century)

Unicorn horns were often found in cabinets of curiosities. It made for great conversations, like so many of the rare objects collected.  

"Now I will believe that there are unicorns..."

William Shakespeare, The tempest (1612)

But what actually was on display was the tusk of a Narwhal , a white whale related to the Beluga. It's habitat is a small band in the northern regions of the globe,  close to the North Pole. Traded down (into Europe) by locals, including Vikings the tusk were sold to be unicorn horns. 

Whatever it's meaning has been through the ages, it's existence wasn't doubted till the start of the great explorations at the beginning of the 17th Century, and modern day said otherwise. Although consensus is now they are non-existing, unicorns still appeal. They are synonymous for a lot of things, the biggest probably being strength, innocence and a mysterious world gone-by...

Maybe this poem represents that;

His horn is free,

Rising above chain, fence and tree.

Free hymn of love; His horn

Bursts from his tranquil brow

Like a comet born;

Cleaves like a galley's prow

Into seas untorn;

Springs like a lilly, white

From the earth below;

Spirals, a bird in flight

To a longed-for height;

Or a fountain bright,

Spurting to light

Of early morn...

O luminous horn!

Anne Morrow Lindberg

enjoy the weekend,