Believe it or not: Unicorn Lore Edition

— One of the earliest mentions of a unicorn-type animal was by Greek historian Ctesias, who referenced such an animal in his book, Indica, about the culture and customs of India, around 398 BCE. He was likely referencing the oryx, a type of antelope, or the Indian rhinoceros.

— Unicorns were once thought to be real and to have healing powers. Powder said to be made from unicorn horn was sold in European apothecaries as a treatment for poison and disease. It was most likely ground narwhal tusk or rhinoceros horn.

— Unicorns have become an unofficial symbol of the LGBTQ community due to their association with magic and uniqueness, qualities which resonate with the community’s celebration of identity. Unicorns also became visually linked with rainbows in popular culture, echoing the rainbow flag that has symbolized LGBTQ pride since the 1970s.

— The unicorn is the national symbol of Scotland and appears on its royal coat of arms. One reason is that the unicorn is considered in folklore to be the natural enemy of the lion, which is the symbol of England.

—April 9 is National Unicorn Day, an unofficial holiday celebrated on social media with unicorn-themed food, crafts, and costumes.

— The word “unicorn” has other meanings usually associated with rarity and special skill. For example, privately held startup companies valued at $1 billion or more are called unicorns. (A “decacorn” is a $10 billion company, and a “hectocorn” is a $100 billion company.)

—The unicornfish is a real fish with a horn-like projection on its head. It’s found in coral reefs and is not particularly rare, so not much of a “unicorn” in that sense.

— In 2017, Starbucks debuted its Unicorn Frappuccino, a color-changing drink available for only one week that became a viral social media phenomenon. Baristas complained about its complexity as it required multiple powders and steps to make.