Today is unicorn day. It is celebrated on April 9th every year, although no one knows why or who invented it.
For centuries, people were convinced that unicorns actually existed. In natural history books there was a special place with a description and habitat of the species. In almost every reputable pharmacy of medieval Europe, a medicine made from unicorn horn could be found. It was not until 1825 that the French naturalist Georges Cuvier dared to publicly express his doubt.
A unicorn is a mythological creature resembling a white horse with one large horn located in the middle of its forehead. It is the national animal of Scotland. Its horn and blood are believed to have the mystical power to change poisoned water and cure disease. During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, it was considered a symbol of purity, innocence, feminine strength and grace.
What mythological creature has been more beloved throughout the ages than the unicorn?
Symbols of purity and charm, unicorns are loved by children and adults alike, and are an integral part of many fairy tales and legends. For all the roles they’ve played in literature, cinematography, and art in general, unicorns deserve their day!
Unicorns have been mentioned since ancient times – ancient Greek writers believed that they lived in the distant and exotic India, which was then largely unknown to Europeans. But then the unicorn was considered a powerful, ferocious animal not to be messed with.
Unicorns were also mentioned by the ancient Celts, Persians and Romans, describing it as a white horse with a single horn and magical power.
The Celts considered the unicorn to be a creature that symbolized grace, strength and freedom. It has been a symbol of Scotland since the 12th century when it was used on the Scottish coat of arms of William I. Unicorns can also be seen on historic buildings in Scotland.
During the Middle Ages, the image of the unicorn was based mainly on biblical passages believed to refer to these animals, and unicorns slowly came to be a symbol of power, the purest love, and the pets of virgin women. In fact, there is even a sculpture of the Virgin Mary holding a unicorn in her lap at the National Museum in Warsaw. Thus, unicorns have appeared in literary works for many years.
Today, on Unicorn Day, everyone who loves the mythical white horses with a twisted horn on their heads is doing fun things.
Some watch a movie with unicorns, others make unicorn-shaped sweets, others give themselves or their loved ones something related to the beautiful fairy-tale creatures.
After all, only what we believe exists.
