U is for Unicorn
Hello!
The unicorn is one of the most beloved creatures in fantasy. Typically depicted as a horse-like creature with a single horn on its head, the unicorn is a symbol of purity, innocence, and untamed magic that has captured the human imagination for centuries.
Unicorns have roots in ancient mythology and folklore, appearing in the legends of various cultures. References to unicorn-like creatures date back to ancient Mesopotamia, Greece, and India. In medieval European lore, the unicorn became a symbol of purity. The unicorn’s horn was believed to possess magical properties, such as the ability to purify water and heal illnesses, making it highly sought after by kings and alchemists alike.
In modern fantasy, unicorns are often portrayed as elusive and magical beings, inhabiting enchanted forests or hidden realms. They are symbols of untouched nature, embodying the idea of something rare and beautiful that can only be approached with respect and purity of heart.
Unicorns are frequently depicted as allies of the forces of goodness, offering protection or healing to those in need. However, they are also portrayed as fiercely independent and mistrustful of humans, reflecting their association with wildness and freedom. In some darker tales, unicorns are hunted for their horns, highlighting themes of greed and the loss of innocence.
Unicorns symbolise purity and innocence. Their solitary nature and ethereal beauty remind us of the importance of preserving what is precious. At the same time, the unicorn is a symbol of the unattainable—a creature that exists on the border between the real and the imagined. This duality makes it a compelling figure in fantasy, as it embodies both hope and the bittersweet nature of chasing dreams.
Whether as a guardian of magical realms, a healer of the wounded, or a symbol of innocence, the unicorn continues to inspire wonder and awe. Its enduring legacy reminds us to cherish the rare and magical moments in life and to approach the world with a sense of curiosity and respect.
References: https://mythology.net/mythical-creatures/unicorn/; https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1629/the-unicorn-myth/
Books You Might Like
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When sixteen-year-old Shael helps a mortally wounded messenger, he entrusts her with delivering to the queen three magical statuettes stolen from the Hyllethans, her country’s feared enemies. But Shael accidentally cuts her fingers while handling the statuettes and magic links her to them—any breakage or pressure on the clay is felt on her flesh. Shael’s fate is now inexorably tied to the Hyllethans, the statuettes, and the political turmoil in the land.
A lonely girl with a terrifying ability. The penniless soldier who loves her. And a lord with the power to destroy them both.
For seventeen years, Maia, a promising acolyte of the Goddess of Light, has hidden her unholy ability to conjure flames over her skin. But when she performs in the temple’s Summer Solstice ceremony, the Emperor’s envoy, Lord Quei, tells her he knows her secret. Quei threatens to enslave Vane, the young man Maia loves, and execute her unless Maia recovers coins that were stolen from him. He claims these will protect his memory, as well as reveal the true nature of Maia’s fire and restore her lost memories.
To save herself and Vane, Maia resorts to deceit and thievery in her search for both the coins and the truth about her fire. But if what Quei says is true, the coins will shatter all she’s been told about herself and the Goddess she reveres, and even worse, will destroy Vane’s trust and love.
Fire Dance is a gripping blend of fantasy, sci-fi, romance and adventure that will resonate with fans of Sarah J. Maas’s Crescent City series.
When protecting family means losing the one you love.
Maia and Ryse, the love of her several lives, are desperate to return to their home world. Only Ryse’s presence there can stop a war erupting between their two rival countries. But Maia’s heart is torn: their craft is too small to take them as well as all her family and leaving with Ryse means abandoning family members in a land ravaged by war and rebellion.
When on their journey to reach their craft they stop to help a galley under enemy attack, they attract the attention of Dardarin, the Lysenthean army’s general, who suspects Maia and Ryse are not who they claim to be but are in fact enemy spies. With Dardarin following their every move to entrap them in their lies and with the plight of the downtrodden Lisentheans entangling Maia in the rebellion’s web, Maia races against the clock to find a way to protect all those she cares about on both worlds—even if doing so could mean she’d lose Ryse.
Fire Storm is a compelling blend of fantasy, sci-fi, romance and political intrigue, perfect for fans of gripping adventures like Sarah J. Maas’s Crescent City series.
Colours of Fantasy (FREE DOWNLOAD)
Not enough time to read, but love fantasy?
Colours of Fantasy is an anthology of short stories that range from magical realism to sci-fi fantasy. They are short enough to be easily read while commuting or during a lunch break. Read about paintings that are truer than true-to-life, or the heart-wrenching decision Poseidon’s human son-in-law has to take, or perhaps you’ll prefer a glimpse of life after an apocalypse, or a story about a space pirate with an uncomfortable past.
And if you like longer reads, Colours of Fantasy gives you a taste of Book One of two series: The Hyllethan Gifts Trilogy and Fire Dance Chronicles.
Till next time! Wishing you a great two weeks with a good book!
Caroline
