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

The unicorn is an animal of great strength, they are playful when young but fierce when fully grown. They are swift, nimble, and attractive, often described as goat-like or deer-like and associated with the rhinoceros.

It is impossible to tame a unicorn or even capture one 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.

Unicorns in the Holy Bible:

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

God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows (Numbers 24:8).

His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh (Deuteronomy 33:17).

Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib? (Job 39:9).

Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee? (Job 39:10).

Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns (Psalm 22:21).

He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn (Psalm 29:6).

But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil (Psalm 92:10).

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 horned ass.

See Also: Creatures by Type » Horses

References

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

The Holy Bible, King James Version.