30+ Amazing Facts About Unicorns

1. Healing Horns

Image Source/pinterest.co.ukUnicorns' horns (also known as an alicorn) are said to have powerful healing powers strong enough to counter-act poisons, viruses and disease! With just the tip of their horn, they can purify contaminated waters, leaving them safe to drink for other animals.

2. Solar Powered

Image Source/artstation.comAnd that's not all their horns can do! Unicorns absorb the sunlight through their horns to use as energy. Because of this, their muscles never get tired, and they never run out of strength. However, a unicorn still needs their sleep! This is important to re-charge their complex magical brains.

3. Can Live for over 1000 Years!

Image Source/pinterest.comHumans have never managed to record the lifespan of a unicorn. However, there are cases where it is predicted a unicorn has lived for over 1000 years. It is believed that they age gracefully, remaining youthful right up until the last few weeks of their lives.

4. Their Hair is Used as the Core of Wands

Image Source/pinterest.comBecause of their powerful magical qualities, unicorn hair is often used as the core ingredient in magic wands. Every unicorn is unique, meaning they have unique magical abilities. This means that each wand then has the same unique abilities as its unicorn!

5. Colourful Eyes

Image Source/torange.bizIt comes as no surprise of course that unicorns have beautiful eyes! Although each unicorn is completely unique, their eyes are usually either a deep shade of purple or ocean blue. Other colours are possible, but these two are the most commonly found.

6. Travel in Groups

Image Source/countrylife.co.ukA group of unicorns is known as a 'blessing'. They are highly sociable creatures and stay in their family groups all their lives. Unicorns travel in these groups which usually consist of four or five unicorns. This also helps to keep them safe from danger.

7. Very Skilled Hiders

Image Source/alamy.comUnicorns would much rather not be seen by humans. For this reason, they are fantastic at hiding. To find one, you would usually need to search deep inside an enchanted forest. Unicorns are found here as they love to live hidden away in the trees where they are safe.

8. Bring Happiness and Joy

Image Source/istockphoto.comAccording to ancient mythology, anyone who touches a pure white unicorn, will find happiness and joy for the rest of their lives. But of course, anybody who is lucky enough to find a unicorn in the first place definitely deserves this kind of reward!

9. Can Walk on Water

Image Source/onemoregame.phIt is said that unicorns have the ability to walk on water. Although unicorns aren't associated with swimming, they do have a natural liking for water which makes them very strong swimmers! They can easily cross any lake, river or ocean very quickly.

10. Baby Unicorns Have a Special Name

Image Source/officechai.comCan you think of anything more cute than a baby unicorn? I certainly can't! Such a special tiny creature deserves a special name. A baby unicorn is called a 'sparkle'. This name is because of their unique appearance. Unicorn babies are born a pure gold colour!

11. Born Without a Horn

Image Source/magicstream.comBaby unicorns are born without their horn (or as we learned earlier, alicorn). This is great news for the unicorn mothers who feed their baby sparkles in the first six to eight weeks of their lives. A sparkle will start to grow their alicorn at around one year old.

12. Can Speak

Image Source/adobe.comIn some legends, unicorns are believed to have the ability to speak. When they do speak, unicorns are extremely wise and noble. However, they will only speak to those who they deem trustworthy. They won't waste their wisdom on those who will not listen.

13. Multilingual

Image Source/transperfect.comNot only can unicorns speak - because unicorns are highly magical, they are able to understand and communicate in any language on earth. This means they can speak to any human, animal, other mythical creatures, or most importantly - each other! A super cool use of their powers.

14. Big Appetites

Image Source/pxleyes.comAlthough unicorns get their energy from sunlight, they are still big food lovers! A unicorn's staple diet consists of grass, berries, plants and flowers. However, they do also have quite the sweet tooth, and they absolutely love chocolate and cupcakes!

15. Super Strength

Image Source/adobe.comEven though they may not appear to, unicorns actually have incredible strength. They have been known to shift weight of up to fifteen tons! That's two whole elephants! Amazing, right? This helps them shift obstacles out of the way when trekking through the forest.

16. Invisibility Powers

Image Source/youngsuh.netSome unicorn's have manes which have invisibility powers! They can choose to switch on their invisibility whenever they choose, which is a great help when they do not want to be seen. An invisible unicorn can then easily trot around a forest without fear.

17. Can Be Found Worldwide

Image Source/newsweek.comWhilst most unicorns live in Europe and North America, they can be found all over the World! They don't tend to like super cold environments, though. For this reason, you won't find a unicorn in Antarctica. This may also be because they don't get on well with the Yetis...

18. Will Defend Themselves

Image Source/ucalgary.caPeople tend to think of unicorns as gentle and peaceful in nature. However, many legends describe them as very fierce and powerful beings. If threatened or attacked, the unicorn has been known to to have a fiery temper and can become extremely enraged.

19. Moon Gazers

Image Source/freepik.comUnicorns need entertaining too! As far as hobbies go, they love frolicking in nature, playing together and hiding. One of their absolute favorite hobbies though, is moon gazing. The creatures can lay gazing at the beauty of the moon for hours on end.

20. Beware of Blood

Image Source/jayengrave.comMuch like their horn, unicorn blood has incredible healing properties. This can revive a person even if they are on the brink of death. However, there is a cost. If unicorn blood is drank by a human, this will mean they will forever lead a cursed life.

21. Discovery of Unicorns

Image Source/europeana.euThe first ever recorded mention of the unicorn was in the 4th century by the ancient Greek historian Ctesias. He first sighted the magical creature in India, and so believed at the time they were only to be found here. Once they were discovered by humans, unicorns had to become much better at hiding to keep their race safe.

22. A symbol of Armour

Image Source/armstreet.comAs we know, unicorns have intense strength, courage and magical powers. It therefore comes as no surprise that during the middle ages, they were seen as a symbol of power. Often, images of unicorns were chiseled into coat of arms to be worn during battle.

23. Mentioned in the Bible

Image Source/aleteia.orgThere are at least eight references about the unicorn included in the Bible. Back when the Bible was written, before cameras, internet and far less humans, unicorns had a much lower risk to their safety. For this reason, there were many more sightings.

24. Different Breeds

Image Source/deviantart.comContrary to belief, not all unicorns are pure white in colour! It is estimated that there could be tens of thousands of different colours and breeds. This usually depends on where in the world the unicorn is found. The pure white breed is most commonly native to Europe.

25. Unicorn Horns Were Gifted to Royals

Image Source/britannica.comAn English sailor named Martin Frobisher returned from his voyage in 1577 presenting a unicorn horn as a gift for Queen Elizabeth I. He had even tested out the horn's magical powers first, and was satisfied that the horn had anti-poison qualities. The queen had the horn preserved with her crown jewels.

26. Stopped an Emperor Invading

Image Source/historyextra.comEmperor Genghis Khan arrived at the Indian border, ready to invade. However, his adviser is said to have encountered a unicorn which spoke to him to tell that the emperor should turn around. The adviser was stunned by the beauty and wisdom of the unicorn, and so listened.

27. Enemy of the Lion

Image Source/mamalisa.comAccording to ancient folklore, the lion and the unicorn are natural enemies, and have been known to fight when they encounter each other. The lion is noble and brave, the king of predators. The unicorn is also seen as daring and noble. Because of this, there is a big rivalry.

28. Official Animal of Scotland

Image Source/acis.comThe Scottish have always had a love of all mythical creatures. So much so that the unicorn is officially Scotland's national animal! The creatures are famously difficult to capture or conquer, which is exactly what the Scottish wanted to represent for their country.

29. Cannot Fly

Image Source/starbackdrops.comIf there's one thing that unicorns cannot do, it is fly. Real unicorns do not have wings and are at their most powerful when on solid ground. They do however have a relative, Pegasus! Pegasus is also pure white in colour, but he has wings and does not have an alicorn.

30. Elder Unicorn

Image Source/pixels.comEvery family needs a boss! The head of a unicorn family is known as the Elder Unicorn, and they are hundreds of years old. Elders have infinite wisdom and so are trusted to guide their family away from danger. This type of unicorn is the hardest to catch!

31. Baby Unicorns Are Called Foals

Image Source/ magicalunicornlifeIncase you didn't already know, Baby Unicorns are actually called Foals - just like baby horses. Baby Unicorns are called Sparkles and they too are born without horns, but instead with a hard knot where their horns will eventually grow as they get older.

32. Unicorns Are Mentioned In Many European & Asians Myths

Image Source/fousingonwildlifeA very long time before we knew the Unicorn as the pearly white unicorn of European lore, this one horned magical animal was said to have roams the Eastern part of the world. They were first mentioned in stories in 2700 BC and they were described as powerful and full of wisdom.

33. They Live Off A Very Simple Diet

Image Source/pacificstandardWhat do Unicorns eat you ask? These majestic creatures have big appetites and their basic diet consists of grass, plants, flowers and berries, however, depending on where the Unicorn lives, they can also eat certain meats, or vegetation.

34. They Can Be Pretty Much Any Colour

Image Source/BBCUnicorns are known for their rainbow hues, but in reality, they have many different options. Unicorns can be bursting with a traditionally bright rainbow colour scheme, some with pastel tones, other's with more metallic tones. They're really very magical.

35. Jewish Legend Says A Unicorn Can Easily Kill An Elephant

Image Source/peepsburghJewish Legend has it that Unicorns are actually the enemy of Elephants. Unicorns have been known to attack Elephants with their horns, piercing the Elephant's belly but other legends say it's the sharp nail on the Unicorn's foot that pierces the elephant.

36. The Unicorn Is Thought To Hold The Power To Divine Truth

Image Source/alurasangelsNot only are Unicorns mighty and majestic, but they hold the power to divine truth and their horns hold even more of a power than you already think. Unicorns will use their horns to pierce the heart of a liar with it's horns.

37. Muffinhumps Is The World's Oldest Unicorn

Image Source/pintrestAccording to Facebook page, 'Pink Fluffy Unicorn' Muffinhumps, also known as the older Unicorn in the World is in fact "a bit of an a**ehole". You can find video's on Youtube going into detail about his personality and why he is "a bit of an a**ehole".

38. Ancient Greeks Wrote About Unicorns In Accounts Of Natural History

Image Source/wiredukUnicorns were not found in Greek Mythology but in accounts of Natural History which meant Greek writers believed that these creatures actually existed. They were convinced of the reality of unicorns and believed they lived in India - a far and distant realm from them.

39. Ancient Civilisations Like The Indus Valley Civilisation Sealed Clay Tablets With A Unicorn Emblem

Image Source/wikimediaDating back to 2500 BC, the Indus Valley Civilisation depicted unicorn-like animals which they carved out into their surroundings in Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, which is now known as Pakistan all these years later.

40. A US Patent Was Granted For A Surgical Procedure In The 80s To Create Unicorns

Image Source/IFLscienceBack in the 1980s, a US patent was granted for a surgical procedure to create these mythical creatures. A goat was used during this process and it involved transplanting horn buds to it's forehead to create a horn in the middle of it's head.

41. Unicorns Are Born With Both Male & Female Genitalia

Image Source/centreofexcellenceIn ancient myths, Unicorns were depicted as male, however in more modern times, they have been depicted as a female creature with both male and female genitalia. Both male and female genitalia can mean that they can reproduce without needing another to mate with.

42. German Dealer's Sold A Unicorn Horn To The Pope For A Lot Of Money In 1560

Image Source/catholicanswersMany Unicorns have been sold on the Black Market and in 1560, German dealers even sold a horn to the pope for an undisclosed amount of money - what we do know is that it was a lot of money. Over a long period of time, Unicorns have been auctioned off for lots of money around the world.

43. Pharmacies In London Sold Powdered Unicorn Horn In 1741

Image Source/lyellconnectionThroughout our time on this earth, humans have managed to create some amazing medicine thanks to natural remedies, herbs and in some countries parts of animals. In the 1700s, Unicorn horns were used in pharmacies to help with certain illnesses.

44. The Chinese Believed A Chi-Lin Had A Long Life And Lived Up To 1000 Years

Image Source/aliexpressWe already know that Unicorns supposedly live through centuries, but Chinese legend has it that Unicorns actually live up to 1000 years. These majestic and beautiful creatures have many powers and help us humans during their lifetime.

45. The Flying Unicorn Species Is Called A Pegasi

Image Source/deviantartIf a Unicorn and a Pegasus mate, you get yourself a Pegasi and those particular Unicorns are lucky enough to fly. They're the Unicorns that we heard about in Myths and Legends or that we see in films that tend to be white and beautiful stallion like creatures.

46. Many People Believe That Unicorns Bring Good Luck

Image Source/1-800-flowersWhen you think of Unicorns, you think of these fancy, majestical creatures that bring happiness and light to everyone around them. But some people actually believe that Unicorns bring good luck, especially to the people that are lucky enough to have come across them.

47. The Late Queen Elizabeth Was Presented With A Narwhal Turk From 1577

Image Source/themetmuseumThe late OG Queen Lizzie devoted her life to being the Queen of Britain, she spent over her years on the throne visiting many countries who welcomed her with gifts. But one that stuck in her mind was a Narwhal Tusk which she received in 1577.

48. A "Unicorn Horn" Was Auctioned At Christies Hospital In London For £500,000

Image Source/timesnewsLondon famous hospital, Christies holds many auctions to raise money for the staff and the people being treated in their for serious illnesses. But this one auction that took place included a "Unicorn Horn" which was auctioned off for half an million pounds. WOW.

49. Narwhal's Are Known To Be Underwater Unicorns

Image Source/nationalgeographicNarwhals are basically the Unicorns of the sea and just like a Unicorn, the Narwhal has a long tusk on the front of it's forehead. This Unique sea creature is found in the Arctic and has long been believed to be the Unicorn of the Sea.

50. Marco Polo Actually Called Unicorns Ugly

Image Source/ mental flossDuring his travels, Marco Polo believed that he came across a unicorn, or unicorns shall I say.  He wrote, “They are very ugly brutes to look at. They are not at all such as we describe unicorns.” When in fact, those creatures were actually Rhinoceroses.

51. Young Women Are Believed To Have Power Over Unicorns

Image Source/mental flossDuring the Dark Ages, when times were a lot different, collections of bestiaries listed the biological properties and medicinal use of animals which included unicorns at the time. Virgins were also described as having great power over those creatures.

52. You Can Get A Permit To Hunt Unicorns

Image Source/etsyThere are some unusual people out there who actually hunt unicorns in Lake Superior State University in Salut Ste. Marie, Michigan. Since the early 70s, the university has issued permits to unicorn questers and anyone taking part in the hunt is advised to bring pink shears and some cognac.