A horse-like creature with a single spiral horn growing from its forehead.

It is an animal of great strength that cannot be tamed, playful when young but fierce when fully grown. Swift, nimble, and attractive, it has also been described as deer-like, goat-like, and associated with the rhinoceros.

It is impossible to capture a unicorn alive, if pursued it will throw itself off a cliff and turn to land on its horn which absorbs the shock and allows the unicorn to escape unharmed.

The horn is prized for its medicinal qualities, it can be used to purify water, as an antidote for poison, and cures many diseases.

There are several passages in the Bible that refer to the unicorn.

God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn. (Numbers 23:22)

His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns. (Deuteronomy 33:17)

Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?

Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?

Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him? (Job 39:9-11)

And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness. (Isaiah 34:7)

Also known as a horned ass.

References

Gould, Charles. Mythical Monsters. London: W.H. Allen & Co., 1886.

The Holy Bible, King James Version.

See Also: Creatures by Type: Horses