Sunday, May 2, 2010

The Unicorn - As A Symbol


"Dreams are the playground of Unicorns."
- Unknown

Perhaps the most wondrous of all mystical creatures, the Unicorn
is a Symbol of magic, miracles, purity, innocence and enchantment.
This magical and enchanting animal appears to only a rare few and
has the ability to bestow magic, miracles and Wisdom to those who
are pure of heart and virtuous in their deeds.

The presence of a Unicorn is announced by the soft and faint
tinkling sound of tiny bells being shaken; or of tiny chimes being
rustled by a breeze. And as Bells and Chimes Symbolize the
presence of Divinity, the tinkling sound which accompanies the
nearness of a Unicorn reminds us that we are in the presence of
a highly spiritual essence whose boundless domain encompasses
all realms matter and spirit.

To kill a Unicorn is to destroy a Divine Incarnation of purity,
perfection, and wonder. It is a deed which burdens the individual who
commits the Act with an enormous Karmic debt.

The Unicorn is depicted as a white horse which has a long, straight,
spiral-shaped Horn protruding from the top of its head.

There are three basic Symbols contained in the Unicorn: the color
white, the horse, and the Horn:

The Horse is a Symbol of Travel and movement. And as the Unicorn
is a spiritual horse it has the ability to Travel and appear wherever,
and whenever, it wishes; it has the ability to appear throughout all
realms and dimensions.

White is the color of innocence, purity and perfection. White, which
is Symbolically similar to silver, represents the lunar, feminine
aspects of receptivity, instinct, intuition and virginity. Virginity in
its truest metaphysical and alchemical aspect represents the
unadulterated (untainted) mind and spirit; it is the prima materia
(pure matter) and the prisca sapientia (pristine knowledge, or
Wisdom). It is for this reason that to have a Unicorn appear to us
is both a great honor and Divine Gift. For, as stated before, only the
pure of heart and virtuous of deed are deserving to have a Unicorn
appear to them.

The Unicorn, unlike all other horned animals save perhaps the
rhinoceros, is a single-horned creature. While the two-horned
animals are linked, Symbolically, to the realm of duality and matter,
the Unicorn's single horn reminds us that its domain is the realm
of Unity; a realm that Transcends and exists beyond the bounds
of matter and duality.

The single, spiralled Horn is a Symbol of the endless, repeating
Cycles of Time. It is also Symbolic of the Sword. And as the Sword
Symbolizes the mind, the Unicorn's Horn also signifies Unity of
Thought and purity of reason. We also notice that this single Horn
protrudes from the top of the Unicorn's head which is the location
of the crown chakra. The crown chakra is a Border Between Realms;
it represents the highest level which our mind can attain and is the
Spiritual Gateway to the higher realms of Spirituality and Divine
Consciousness.

When depicted within a forest, the Unicorn represents purity and
enchantment amidst growth, birth, rebirth, renewal and fertility;
which are all feminine essences.

When a Unicorn is portrayed along with a lion it Symbolizes the
Union of the feminine (white, lunar) and masculine (Gold, solar)
aspects of our dual nature. This Symbolism also represents the
Alchemical Marriage.

In Chinese tradition the Unicorn is an "auspicious and perfect
spiritual beast which appears when sages are born". ***

As we can see, the Symbolism of the Unicorn is deep, pure, and
magical. And as very few individuals are pure and virtuous enough
to have a Unicorn appear to them we should feel very Blessed
should a Unicorn someday appear along our Path.

(See also: "The Phoenix", and
                   "The Alchemical Marriage and the Total Solar Eclipse")

*** "The Lost Language Of Symbolism", Harold Bayley

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2010
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25 comments:

Anoo said...

This is the first time i have come across such a good write-up on unicorns. I never ever thought much about unicorns. There was no reason to, until last year when i shifted to my new home someone gifted me a statue of a unicorn with a maiden clinging onto it. If it somehow opened a doorway or something I do not know but suddenly i began to see unicorns everywhere. If it was a movie a unicorn would suddenly appear, pictures of unicorns, toys... In the most unlikeliest of places images of unicorns nowadays appear to me. In your post you mentioned about unicorn with a lion. What does a unicorn with a maiden signify? What could be the meaning for me? And what could be the meaning of unicorns appearing before me suddenly in so many ways ??

Joseph Panek said...

A maiden represents feminine purity. The meaning of numerous Unicorns appearing to you can be something called "synchronicity".
Synchronicity is a phenomenon that once something is introduced to us, we begin to notice it more and more in our everyday surroundings.
Thank you for posting your comment!
Joe

Marendo Müller said...

I searched the "lost language of symbolism" by Bailey, but didn't find anything about a chinese version of the unicorn symbolizing the birt of a sage. Is there a mistake in the book cited?

Joseph Panek said...

See: The Lost Language of Symbolism by Harold Bayley.
ISBN: 0-486-44787-1.
In volume ii, at the bottom of page 99, appears the following:

The Lin [Chinese term for Unicorn], described by Oriental authorities as "a spiritual beast," an "auspicious and perfect beast" which "appears when sages are born,"...

Marendo Müller said...

Thanks!!

*~* M@GM@ $OUL *~* said...

A few months ago, I had an experience. It was a dream but it felt so real, almost as if I was in another dimension with all those things happening for real. A baby unicorn was born beside me... it came out from a shell. It was a very intense golden white in color - that I found it difficult to look at. The baby unicorn was kind of slimy (in white and goldishness too) I remember being too scared to touch it.

Does this signify anything according to your interpretations? If so, I'd love to hear from you as I went through quite a lot of experiences in my life following this dream, that im still trying to wrap my head around.

Thanks

Joseph Panek said...

Hello Nadi;

In my experience, I have found dreams to be very personal as they are part of our individual subconscious. As a suggestion, you may try meditating on the events which have occurred since you had your dream. Perhaps this will help you find your answers.

Sincerely,
Joe

R.A. Ryan said...

Thanks, great to findf this. I dreamt last night of a unicorn so this morning I'm doing some surfing and landed on your island via a "unicorn symbol" wave.

Unknown said...

I have just meditated on my pineal gland (I was feeling blocked in my spiritual teaching and too 'earthed' in my perspective to establish limitlessness within my voice to others to come to me.) As I awakened inside that part own physical form I found a young, exquisite Unicorn there to greet me...scamping about like a long lost friend. We were good friend...we were one instantly we held our faces together and re-united. We played...divine. Her coat was soft and she also held small transparent wings on her back. The energy on her head just below her horn....well, I can't stop stroking it (and she closes her eyes and bows. Not in reverence to me but with the feeling of pure love which her body naturally bows in bliss to...and I fill my body with.
Just wanted to share lovely people x

Unknown said...

I got a unicorn tattoo on my wrist for no reason and I also collected unicorns when I was little and my friend was scared to go in a roller coaster and I said don't worry just think about the unicorns. I always see visions of unicorns in the grass roaming around and whenever I felt scared I would think of unicorns. I never thought twice about the double message until today and this is how I came across your site.

Unknown said...

Thank you for a wonderful words on Unicorns. Last night as I was lying in bed praying for protection over my 3 children the vision of a Unicorn came to me. It was very close and only the head, at an angle with his left eye looking directly at me. I did not recognize color. I love being on my own seekers path and am honored to be here guiding my children and hopefully many others to their path through divinity.
Thank you again
Tamara

Christine Ngwisha said...

Wow very enlightening have had encounter and wanted to know what it meant. .

BJ said...

BJ said...
So excited to find this site. I recently became friends with a lady that sits with my mother. Yesterday, we were talking about paranormal experiences and she said the only thing odd that had happened to her was when she was a young girl. She and some of her cousins had been swimming in a pond and were walking home through the woods. Two cousins were with her and they were ahead of everybody else. They were walking down a trail wanting to get home before dark and they heard a sound running through the brush. All of a sudden a white unicorn appeared right at them. She said it was just a few feet away. It looked like it had been wallowing in the dirt because it was not snow white, but it was white. She said all she could focus on was the long horn coming out of its forehead and it made eye contact with them and nodded it's head up and down once and they were staring in shock and then it nodded again like it was trying to communicate something to them. She also said it had a strong scent that lingered after it ran off. They tried to follow the trail of it by following the scent. She asked her mother what it meant, but she didn't know. The only thing she related with this was that the next day her cousin passed away. This cousin was a child, but was not one of the cousins that was swimming with her that day. Was the unicorn trying to prepare them for a death in the family is what she was wondering. Just thought I'd pass this story along. I've seen a ghost and have researched a lot of things myself, but have never met anyone that has seen a unicorn. Don't know a lot about this phenomemon.

BJ said...

A lady I recently met said when she was a child, she and her cousins were walking home through the woods and they saw a unicorn. She and her cousins had been swimming in a pond and were trying to get home before dark. She and two others were ahead of the rest and were the only ones that witnessed it. They heard noise on the path and suddenly a unicorn appeared in the woods beside them. It was right at them and they stopped and were in shock. She said it had a strong scent and it was white and looked like it had wallowed in dirt or had been laying down because it was dirty. It made eye contact with them and nodded its head up and down. She said she was focused on the long horn coming out of its forehead. Then it nodded the second time. She said it was a definitive nod like it was trying to communicate something to them. When it ran off they tried to follow it by following the scent. She asked her mother what it meant and her mother didn't know. The only thing odd that happened next was that the next day one of her cousins passed away. This cousin was not one in the group with her that day. She has always wondered if the unicorn was a symbol of death or was it trying to protect them in some way, or prepare them maybe for something since a death was about to happen. This lady is a very nice lady and recently started sitting with my mother who is ill. I don't know her very well, but I get a good feeling about her and she is a kind and genuine person who loves to take care of others. I'm so glad she's in my mother's life she has brought her much joy. After reading this I'm not surprised the unicorn appeared to her.
I had to pass this story along. I've witnessed several paranormal things in my life which led me to research things like this, but I've never talked to anyone who has seen a unicorn. Don't know much about this phenomenon, but was glad to happen up on your site. Thanks for the information. Interesting!

Unknown said...

I visioned a unicorn standing in front of a wall of ivy with flowers that were light pink and the top edge was dark pink. In the bacground was a rainbow. What could this mean? It was so beautiful and peaceful.

molly said...

This morning during a guided meditation with bowls, I had a vision of a small unicorn about the size of an American football beautifully leap from my third eye right out in front of me during the third eye chakra. it was very peaceful and came out of nowhere. I reall love this article and the all of your comments :)

Unknown said...

Hi! I was told that I am a médium. I am clueless about my gift. But last night I was reading and found this meditation about spirit guide animals and listened to it. I listened to it and to my surprise I stood there in my mind waiting for my animal spirit guide, and started giggling like a child then a BIG white unicorn w/ wings came forward and then in the corner of my eye a fluffy Big golden lion briefly paced. It was such a peaceful feeling of joy and relief I had tears streaming down my face. So, I woke up this morning and googled " Unicorn" and came across your article. Do you really believe that there are such moments that could seem so real as this? It seemed so real.

JoBo said...

Thank you xx

JFRQRO said...

Past midnight sometime in July 2015, my husband and I saw a Unicorn in the middle of the intersection crossing our path heading towards north side of the road while we slowed down on a hump before turning right towards the south side of the same road.

We are living inside an exclusive golf and residential estate, and my initial reaction was that I was in awe and I asked my husband what was this beautiful horse doing in the golf estate in the middle of the night, as I thought it was just a horse that got lost? But I pretty knew that no one in our place has a horse!

My husband whispered to me to stay quiet as it was a Unicorn crossing to the other side of the fairways. All I said was how beautiful it was!

I was supposed to take a picture of it from my mobile camera, but my husband stopped me and the Unicorn just gracefully walked to the opposite direction, and in less than a minute or 2 it disappeared in the dark side of the fairways.

When we arrived home about 3 blocks away from the scene, we were not able to sleep right away as we were discussing why we saw a Unicorn? And my husband told me not to tell anyone about what we saw as no one would believe me.

But when we had breakfast the following morning together with our 3 teenage sons, I was so excited to tell them what we saw last night. Indeed, they just laughed at me and said I was just imagining things. So my husband told our sons that we really saw personally a Unicorn. Then they stopped laughing, but kept on shaking their heads on disbelief.

Now, it's past midnight after 8 months from the beautiful experience, I wish I could see the Unicorn again. It was really an awesome experience.

Unknown said...

Unicorn visits me regularly, however he is usually a stunning black stallion with an ebony horn. I find it fascinating that all unicorn lore only features the white color when they exist in other colors. I also regularly dream of unicorns hiding in human form, any thoughts on the symbolism there?

Unknown said...

Naomi, you must be correct. I feel like I am a unicorn. I feel like everything in this post is talking about me. I have been researching so much about myself. Example: I'm born in September so my sign is Virgo, the virgin. I have a friend who is a gypsy (born into the bloodline) and she shared with me that my aura is sorta tie dye like with purples lavender and blues. That means I'm very spiritual and peaceful. I also consider myself as very humble. I am blind, meaning I cannot see what others do... Everyone has always told me how special and beautiful I am. I don't know if there truly are unicorns hiding in human form.. BUT if there are... I would like to believe I am. Maybe, in a past life I was in a physical sense a unicorn.. All I know is that I believe I am very unique and can't really relate to anyone but I nevertheless, am able to do things I cannot explain. I can judge someone's character (or soul) and can intuitively tell if they are sincere. I can read others emotions and feel them, also. I even can read people's minds. Not on command.(I wish) it usually is like... I will think something and the next thing I know the person I'm talking to says the exact thing ! I can't explain it. Anyways !! I hope this helps. Much love


And I CANNOT EXPRESS ENOUGH GRATITUDE FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL INSIGHT! ��

I absolutely fell in love with this entire blog. You are such an intelligent person. And I admire your work. Thank you so much

Sincerely,
Sam ��

Unknown said...

Thank you for this article. I had a dream tonight of an unicorn coming out of the sea in the middle of the night, it was surrounded by its aura, it was so magical... I felt so good during the day ❤️

Unknown said...

This is a wonderful article. I have a story to share of The Super Natural. On Oct 14th, 2013. My husband and I, went to see our daughter away at college first year and she is our only child. We decided to get a cabin in the mountains and drive into the school the next day. The first day we arrived at the college, we stayed into the night with our daughter and didn't really know where the cabin was located. It was dark when we hit the road for the cabin. We quickly realized that we should have left the college earlier, driving through the mountains. By this time we were very lost and it was 11:30pm. We turned on a dirt road, and down a steep hill. Suddenly he turned the car around and said I saw something back there in fields, we turned around and there they were two solid white Unicorns. When we turned the car around one stood up, the body was very Muscular and the hair was flowing and lots of curls. Much more beautiful then any pictures I have ever seen. I became very afraid and my husband was very calm. I started to pray because I did not know what this all meant as I do know we both were worried Sick about our child and leaving home and her safety. I am now sure we saw them out of The Love of our one and only child. Trouble is the next morning we drove by the home and the pasture was never ending in the back of the house and there was a Huge silver star prompted up against a chair in the front yard, strange site this huge silver star.

Emma said...

Was meditating the other night was seeing a really pretty sky with the sun in background and out of now where this unicorn came hoofing straight towards me was so beautiful the light from the horn was almost blinding was white and the light was goldish I'm not sure if there was something riding it or was just the mane flowing around also there was something flying close by like a eagle not to sure I've only been getting visions for few weeks and my focus is shocking but by far the clearest and mist amazing 1 yet.

Unknown said...

About 3 years ago when I was meditating about who was my animal spirit (totem or guide), I kept coming up a blank, no matter what I tried. Then a friend suggested that perhaps my animal spirit (totem or guide) was not of this realm. When I meditated more on this, the answer finally came - and can you imagine my surprise when I discovered that I have 2 animal spirits - a Unicorn and a Dragon! I feel very blessed and thank both of them for being in my life every day! In searching for the meaning of Unicorns, I came upon your site and I thank you very much for your thoughts!!!