I’ve been contemplating for some time about writing on Substack and blogging on my Website, but I wanted to select a topic I felt would be fun to write about.

I recently beta read a romantacy for an author friend and she had some mythical creatures from the Chinese and a few other cultures. This isn’t the first time I’ve come across non-western mythology in books, TV, or movies.

I find it fascinating to learn about different mythological creatures from other cultures. For me, these are wonderful ways to learn about the similarities and differences in our various histories.

Because I enjoy writing adventure fantasy, I like the magic of these stories and seeing how these creatures fit into the lives of the people way back in time. It gives me such a rich tapestry of ideas to feed into my own stories. I felt this would make a good topic for a regular post on Substack and my blog. There is certainly a feast of creatures to choose from but the first-off-the-block was an easy choice. Even though I’ve yet to include one in my writing, I’ve been fascinated with Unicorns since I can remember. And so have many of us based on what I’ve read, so let’s dive in.

Unicorns

Unicorns are commonly portrayed as mystical entities of benevolence, capable of discerning whether a person or creature is virtuous or malevolent. Their horns are frequently believed to possess magical healing abilities. This mythical being often resembles a horse with a single horn positioned on their forehead. There is also a variant that features wings.

History

The Unicorn has been depicted in Mesopotamian art and ancient legends from India and China. The earliest account in Greek writings of a creature with a single horn comes from the historian Ctesias around 400 BCE. He described “the Indian wild ass (donkey) was the size of a horse, with a white body, purple head, and blue eyes, and on its forehead was a cubit-long horn (45.7 centimeters or 18 inches) colored red at the pointed tip, black in the middle, and white at the base. It was fleet of foot and difficult to capture.” It is generally believed that Ctesias was actually describing the Indian rhinoceros.

It was once thought that those who sipped from its horn would be safeguarded from stomach ailments, seizures, and toxins. The horns were also believed to be able to purify polluted water.

The unicorn has always been seen by European, West Asian, and China and Japan, as a legendary creature or at least something extraordinary and uncommon. Possibly the earliest depiction of a unicorn has been discovered on seals and sealings from the northern Indus area (Harappa and Mohenjo-daro), dating back to approximately 2600 BC. This motif is not reported in any other civilization of the same period and seems to be distinctive to the Indus region.

The unicorn image remained in use across the broader Indus area for more than 700 years and vanished along with the Indus script around 1900 BC. The finding of one-horned animal designs on seals and one-horned animal figurines made of terracotta has sparked debates over classification and terminology.

India

The monoceros is a mythical animal that the Roman Elder, Pliny, depicted in his “Natural History” book from 77 AD. He described it as possessing the head of a stag, the body resembling a horse, the feet akin to an elephant’s, and the tail of a boar. A singular elongated black horn protrudes from the center of its forehead.

This creature, known for its ferocity, is said to inhabit the mountainous regions of India, sporting a yellow coat and a mane similar to a horse’s. It emits a loud, jarring roar and leads a solitary existence. The monoceros is reputed to be the archrival of the elephant, strategically targeting its opponent’s belly with its horn during combat. The creature is likely inspired by the Indian or African rhinoceros.

Depending on the source, some equate the monoceros with the unicorn, while others argue they are distinct creatures.

The Bible—Re’em

In some translations of the Bible, the Unicorn was the first animal named; thereby, elevating it above all other beasts in the universe.

Reʾem was translated “unicorn” or “rhinoceros” in many versions of the Bible, but some translations prefer “wild ox” (auerochs), which is the correct meaning of the Hebrew reʾem.

Isaiah 34.7

“And the unicorns shall come down with them  . . . and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness.”

The NIV Study Bible, New International Version, 1985 provides some clarification and amends the above.

“And the wild oxen will fall with them, the bull calves and the great bulls. Their land will be drenched with blood, and the dust will be soaked with fat.”

The note related to this verse is that the wild oxen symbolize troops and the bloodshed of the old and young men.

China, Japan, and Korea

While the legendary unicorn developed in Western cultures, similar mythical beings had long been recognized in the folklore and myths of the Far East.

China

In Chinese mythology, the qilin is a fabled creature thought to have originated in Juye County, Shandong, during the Western Han period (202 BC – 220 AD). Often dubbed the “Chinese Unicorn,” the qilin ranks among China’s quartet of esteemed mythical creatures. It is said to be a progeny of the dragon-like longma, which mated with the maodu, a being that combines a dragon’s head with a phoenix’s body. The qilin is depicted as having a body akin to a horse, adorned with scales, a singular horn on its brow, and a tail similar to that of an ox or lion.

Like the unicorn from Western folklore, it is believed to differentiate between the righteous and the immoral. In the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), representations of the qilin showcased it as a kind-hearted entity that brought harm to none and symbolized good fortune.

Legend holds that a qilin appeared to Confucius’ mother before his birth. 

Japan

The Japanese kirin is a fascinating mythical creature, often likened to a unicorn due to its mystical attributes. However, it stands apart with its distinctive appearance and unique abilities. Unlike the traditional unicorn, the kirin resembles a stag, showcasing impressive antlers that extend from the back of its head.

This creature is not only celebrated for its majestic appearance but also revered for its extraordinary capability to locate wrongdoers. Once a culprit is identified, the kirin delivers swift justice by piercing their heart with its horn, acting as a divine enforcer of righteousness. This blend of elegance and formidable power makes the kirin a symbol of justice and purity in Japanese folklore.

Korea

In Korea, a creature also known as kirin, shares a resemblance more closely aligned with a horse in appearance, diverging from its typically dragon-like Chinese counterpart.

This mythical being is entrenched in Korean folklore, where it holds a significant place due to its association with founding legends of ancient kingdoms. One such tale speaks of Dongmyeong, a divine king, who is said to have established the Goguryeo Kingdom. According to legend, he was guided by a horse-like qilin, an auspicious symbol of prosperity and protection. This story highlights the kirin’s role not only as a mythical creature but also as a cultural symbol signifying leadership and divine sanction in Korean history.

Unicorn of the Sahara

For centuries, the oryx has been confused with the legendary unicorn. It seems that the ancient Greeks, possibly disoriented by the intense desert heat and dehydration while traversing the arid regions of Northern Africa, may have contributed to the myth of the magical, single-horned creature resembling a deer.

Accounts from Greece’s natural historians mention the unicorn, which helps explain why belief in its existence became so widespread. In actuality, the oryx is a type of antelope with two evenly matched horns on its forehead. When observed from the side, these horns can give the impression of one central horn.

Narwahl: Sea Unicorn

The narwhal is a fascinating creature that captivates the imagination with its mythical appearance. Often referred to as the “unicorn of the sea,” this marine mammal boasts a long, spiraled tusk that resembles the horn of a unicorn. Found in the cold Arctic waters, narwhals are known for their elusive nature and unique features.

Their tusk, which is actually an elongated tooth, can grow up to 10 feet (305 centimeters) long and is believed to have sensory capabilities, helping narwhals detect changes in their environment.

Modern applications

Unicorns are captivating creatures often found in a myriad of fantasy tales. They are prevalent in literature, artwork (such as renaissance and medieval tapestries and illustrations, and ancient Mesopotamian art), and films.

These mythical animals are generally depicted as resembling a white horse, distinguished by a singular, spiraling horn protruding from their forehead, which is commonly portrayed as gleaming and white. The unicorn’s physique is typically shown as immaculate white, graceful, and mesmerizing, though in some narratives, it is embellished with colorful and magical feathers or fur.

Powers

Unicorns are typically portrayed as forces of light and purity. What is wonderful about writing fantasy is that the author can play around with what is real in the world they are writing within. Some powers of the unicorn in literature are: creatures of the dark cannot bear their presence; they have the ability to detect good and evil; they can make wishes come true.

They are often powerful creatures with super strength and fighting abilities such as being able to vaporize an evil creature by piercing them with their horn.

The blood and horn are often said to have mystical powers. Weather it’s simply the touch of their horn, or the horn needs to be freely gifted by the unicorn and then ground down and mixed into a potion and drunk, or made into a poultice, and so on, it is often used to heal wounds, sickness, and neutralize poison.

Sometimes the stories give unicorn wings enabling them to fly.