Unicorns as Magical Teachers

Throughout the ages, unicorns have captured the imagination of young and old alike.
Unicorns as Magical Teachers
The unicorn is usually depicted as a pure white, noble and proud animal, with a horn reputed to possess magical properties. (snuesch SarahC/www.pixelio.de)
8/10/2009
Updated:
8/10/2009
Throughout the ages, unicorns have captured the imagination of young and old alike.

In modern times, interest in the unicorn has been fueled by the novel, The Last Unicorn, written by Peter S. Beagle. (The novel was first published in 1968 and at last count, is available in 20 languages.) It was immortalized on the big screen in 1982, in the animated film of the same name, produced by Arthur Rankin Jr.

In one particular scene from the movie, I can vividly recall the hushed air of anticipation that collectively enveloped the audience. The scene was when the last remaining, free unicorn is presented with the mission to save others of its kind, who are being cruelly held captive by from the evil Red Bull.

Ultimately, all ends well. The triumph of good over evil that the graceful white unicorn manages to bring about serves as a parable for increasingly rare virtue.

In its mission, the magnificent creature had nothing to lose. Either it would face its terrifying fears and accept the immense responsibility at hand, or it too would be captured, thus stymieing and jeopardizing any chance for the other unicorns to be set free.

The unicorn’s love of freedom and her longing to free enslaved fellow unicorns is not without tribulations. Forced to surmount all kinds of hurdles and obstacles, but fueled by her noble and selfless pursuit to achieve the highest ideal, the unicorn’s supernormal powers emerge.

Uncompromising Resolve in the Midst of Countless Dangers

At times, things look quite hopeless for the Last Unicorn. Even though she has to change into a human form to be protected from the Red Bull, nearly causing her to lose a sense of her destiny, she still continues on her elected path.

Even though beset by all kinds of new human experiences and painful emotions, suffering, fear, and the especially daunting awareness of mortality—these obstacles cannot subvert the unicorn from her mission: to safely restore her endangered kind’s status. It thus comes as no surprise that at the end of the movie, the graceful creature succeeds in chasing the Red Bull into the ocean. With courage and unyielding strength of will, the unicorn leads her fellow unicorns to freedom.

<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/cornihorse_medium.jpg"><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/cornihorse_medium.jpg" alt="The unicorn is usually depicted as a pure white, noble and proud animal, with a horn reputed to possess magical properties. (snuesch SarahC/www.pixelio.de)" title="The unicorn is usually depicted as a pure white, noble and proud animal, with a horn reputed to possess magical properties. (snuesch SarahC/www.pixelio.de)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-90590"/></a>
The unicorn is usually depicted as a pure white, noble and proud animal, with a horn reputed to possess magical properties. (snuesch SarahC/www.pixelio.de)

Symbol for the Good

The unicorn epitomizes all that has become increasingly rare as time goes by: the conviction to live for the greater good, the selfless consideration of others and doing right by them, and the commitment to stay on the righteous path until the end. The crucial decision confronting one is this: can one accept the challenge for inner growth that comes from overcoming one’s ego, and be ready and willing to face all sorts of difficulties?

The unicorn is pictured as a solitary creature, and always resides in a magic forest. It nurtures and protects the nearby flora and fauna. Legends say that those forests have a perpetual spring-like environment, and the plants and animals are reputed to be larger and more beautiful than in any other forest. Could this be an analogy for us human beings to consider? A human being who is always gracious, kind, and has good intentions towards others has the potential to be a catalyst for harmony and cooperation in their immediate surroundings.

Man is Eternally in a Rush

Unicorn lore describe the creature as extremely shy - we find the single horn intriguing and would begin to hunt the animal. But it will only show itself to those who believe the legend or have an exceptionally pure heart/mind. Virgins are the unicorn’s favorite—they trust and are particularly taken with them.

A Magical Horn

The description is of a mostly white, shiny horn, about half a meter long. It is supposed to contain magical qualities. The animal is said to fight dragons, heal the wounded, resurrect people from the dead, or neutralize poisoned drink. Europe is not the only place where the unicorn’s legends were chronicled; China and Persia, the present Iran, have similar lore. Worldwide sightings of a unicorn during this present era persist. China considers it one of the magic animals, next to the tortoise and phoenix and as messenger of important news.

<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/cronochorsesaint_medium.jpg"><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/cronochorsesaint_medium.jpg" alt="Attracted to purity: according to legend, unicorns are particularly drawn to virgins. They fancy staying close by virgins, and have been known to peacefully fall asleep in their presence Virgin with Unicorn, by Domenico Zampieri. (wikimedia commons)" title="Attracted to purity: according to legend, unicorns are particularly drawn to virgins. They fancy staying close by virgins, and have been known to peacefully fall asleep in their presence Virgin with Unicorn, by Domenico Zampieri. (wikimedia commons)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-90591"/></a>
Attracted to purity: according to legend, unicorns are particularly drawn to virgins. They fancy staying close by virgins, and have been known to peacefully fall asleep in their presence Virgin with Unicorn, by Domenico Zampieri. (wikimedia commons)

From Horse to Unicorn—Myth or Esoteric?

Diana Cooper’s book The Miracle of the Unicorn emphasizes the divine in these animals - likens them to white horses that ascended to a higher realm. The constant return of the horses to Earth, their reincarnation, serve as a reminder for them to learn a lesson here until they become white horses and can ascend in a fiery light. cooper describes many encounters with unicorns and her interactions with them. She sees the unicorns’ mission to help human beings and encourage them, to hold fast to their goals and visions and to intercede for the interests of all.

Many might think this to be humbug and a pipe dream. But perhaps there are a few who are drawn into the magic and are fascinated. What if - like it was for “the last unicorn” - each individual was assigned a specific task to fulfill during a lifetime? Some recognize it sooner than others. Ergo, exactly when one does not permit sufficient time for thinking during the daily rut and gets the feeling the days race be ever faster without one having accomplished anything; and that it is high time to pause and be conscious of the tasks at hand.

So, keep your eyes open, even though a unicorn might not cross your path right away. But perhaps your eyes will be opened to things that had remained hidden.

Read the original German article.    

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