© Shutterstock

The many lives of the unicorn -

Unicorns have morphed throughout history, from being fearsome wild creatures to colorful, friendly icons of modern fantasy. Their long presence in cultural imagination can be seen in their recurring appearance across different civilizations.

© Getty Images

The European unicorn -

European unicorns were described with a variety of physical traits: a white coat, though sometimes red or brown; a horse-like or goat-like body; a spiraled horn that could be short or long; a goat’s beard; and a tail from various animals.

© Getty Images

Mysterious origins -

But the earliest possible unicorn reference comes from the Indus Valley Civilization around 3000–1300 BCE, where seals show a single-horned, horse-like animal (though many scholars suspect it depicts an extinct bovine species).

© Getty Images

Greek changes -

Unicorns stepped into written history not through mythology but through the writings of natural historians in ancient Greece. The earliest references describe unusual, horned animals not from Greece itself but inspired by reports from faraway lands like India.

© Getty Images

The wild donkey of India -

The historian Ctesias, writing in the 4th century BCE, described a unicorn-like creature in his book ‘Indica.’ He called it a type of wild donkey, fast and vividly colored white, red, and black, as well as possessing a horn over two feet (61 centimeters) long. It was a dazzling image that certainly took hold in ancient society.

© Public Domain

Oryx confusion -

Ctesias also described oryxes, antelopes known for their single-horned appearance in profile. The color similarities and regional overlap suggest that what he called a unicorn may have actually been an oryx. Misidentifications like these helped shape the unicorn myth over time.

© Shutterstock

A fantastical hybrid -

In the 1st century CE, Pliny the Elder described a ferocious creature he dubbed the monokeros, or “single horn.” This beast had a bizarre combination of features from a stag, elephant, boar, and horse. It was clearly a fictional mash-up likely born from traveler exaggeration or mistranslation.

© Getty Images

A horn two cubits long -

According to Pliny, this mythical creature had a two-cubit-long black horn (around 35 inches, or 88.8 centimeters) and made deep, low sounds. While his description may seem humorous today, it added vital fuel to the growing belief in powerful single-horned beasts roaming in far-off, untamed lands.

© Getty Images

Muddy disappointment -

Explorer Marco Polo’s 13th-century account added another twist to the unicorn myth, portraying the creature as far from majestic. He claimed they were buffalo-haired creatures that preferred wallowing in mud and slime, more like wild boars than rainbow creatures. Most scholars now agree he was likely describing the Sumatran rhinoceros.

© Getty Images

A myth born of mistakes -

These early accounts (often misinterpretations of real animals like the rhinoceros) gradually fused together into the idea of a unicorn. Through misidentification, embellishment, and repetition, the idea of a single-horned, magical animal began to solidify in cultural consciousness across regions.

© Getty Images

A biblical translation twist -

Unicorns accidentally galloped into the Bible due to a mistranslation. The Hebrew word Re’em, likely meaning ox, was translated into the Greek monokeros (single-horn), causing some biblical texts to mention unicorns.

© Getty Images

The rise of the Physiologus -

The Physiologus, a 2nd-century Greek Christian text, helped shape animal allegories, including that of the unicorn. This book laid the groundwork for medieval bestiaries and moral lessons, and framed unicorns as noble, symbolic creatures whose traits reflected spiritual values.

© Public Domain

Horns that cleanse poison -

According to the Physiologus, a unicorn’s horn could purify poisoned water. This trait made them symbols of spiritual purity and healing. The idea endured into medieval and Renaissance times, and added practical allure to their already rich symbolic meaning.

© Getty Images

Virgins and their calming charm -

The text also introduced the enduring idea that unicorns could only be captured by virgins. In their presence, unicorns were said to become docile and affectionate, which reflected the themes of innocence, surrender, and divine love—qualities that aligned with Christian morality.

© Getty Images

Christ as the unicorn -

Because of their purity and ability to be subdued by virgins, unicorns became metaphors for Christ in medieval art. Their image was often used to convey spiritual ideals and theological messages about incarnation, sacrifice, and divine love.

© Getty Images

Heraldic glory -

In the 15th century, unicorns took on new life in heraldry. They were depicted with features like goat hooves, beards, and spiraled horns. These majestic hybrids often wore collars with broken chains, which hinted at their fierce power and their symbolic untamable essence.

© Getty Images

Unicorns in scholarly bestiaries -

Science and mythology often blurred lines in early natural history. In 1551, Swiss naturalist Conrad Gessner published Historiae Animalium, which included unicorns alongside real animals. His descriptions were based on travelers’ accounts rather than actual fact or personal sightings.

© Getty Images

A sacred horn -

In 1590, monks at the Monastery of Saint Mary in Guadalupe, Spain, gave a supposed unicorn horn (which was actually from an African white rhinoceros) to a dying Pope Gregory XIV. Its curative powers were believed to be real, but it ultimately failed to save him.

© Getty Images

The sea’s unicorns -

Narwhals, Arctic whales from regions like northern Canada and Greenland, earned the nickname “sea unicorns” thanks to the massive tusk that grows from the males' upper jaws.

© Getty Images

Sensory wonders beneath the waves -

Some scientists theorize that narwhal tusks are more than just decorative: they may function as sensory tools, capable of detecting subtle changes in pressure or temperature.

© Getty Images

A cup fit for a queen -

In the Middle Ages, narwhal tusks were crafted into drinking vessels believed to neutralize poison. Queen Elizabeth I reportedly owned one such tusk in the 1500s, valued at around £10,000, which was equivalent to the price of a castle.

© Getty Images

Regal creatures -

Beyond stories, unicorns have symbolized power and majesty for much of Western history. They even feature prominently on the Royal Arms of both the Kingdom of Scotland and the United Kingdom.

© Shutterstock

Eastern wisdom -

In comparison, the Asian unicorn (first recorded around 2700 BCE) is revered as a creature of wisdom and peace. Avoiding violence and stepping lightly to not harm grass, any sighting is believed to herald the reign of just and enlightened rulers.

© Getty Images

Visual and elusive -

Like its Western counterpart, the Asian unicorn is said to be uncatchable and rarely seen. The Eastern variant of the creature may have one to three horns, a body like a deer, the tail of an ox, and a scaly or multicolored coat—blue, red, yellow, white, and black.

© Getty Images

The final sighting -

Legends claim that the Chinese philosopher Confucius was the last person to ever see an Asian unicorn. His encounter links the creature not just to myth, but has also elevated its spiritual significance in Eastern philosophy.

© Getty Images

The beginning of skepticism -

As global exploration advanced in the 18th century, the world grew more scientifically grounded. With no confirmed sightings of unicorns, belief in their existence began to fade. The rational Enlightenment mindset clashed with the lack of evidence, and unicorns were nudged from plausible beasts to outright myth.

© Getty Images

Rediscovery of unicorn art -

The Victorian era (1837–1901) saw a revival of interest in medieval unicorn imagery, particularly the famed 'The Lady and the Unicorn'  tapestries. These rich artworks rekindled romantic fascination, and transformed unicorns into icons of virtue and mystery.

© Getty Images

Glamorized rebirth -

With their Victorian reinvention, unicorns shed their ferocity and were reimagined as gentle, beautiful creatures. This transformation laid the groundwork for their modern depiction as whimsical, dreamlike animals linked with femininity and magical escapism in pop culture.

© Getty Images

The unicorn brand -

Today, unicorns are everywhere—from coffee mugs and backpacks, to birthday parties and emojis. Their image is no longer fearsome, but celebratory. Commercialized and stylized, they are now fun, colorful, and fantastical!

© Shutterstock

The enduring charm of unicorns -

From ancient tales and religious symbolism to medicine, heraldry, and even fashion, unicorns have remained powerful symbols across cultures. Regardless of whether they’re real or not, their beauty, mystery, and magic continue to horse around in our imaginations.

Sources: (American Museum of Natural History) (Britannica) (St Neots Museum)

See also: Greek mythology—the great Greek Gods and heroes

© Shutterstock