Difference between revisions of "Unicorn"
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Commonly, a mythical beast resembling a white horse with a single horn grown out of its forehead.<ref>http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/unicorn</ref> | Commonly, a mythical beast resembling a white horse with a single horn grown out of its forehead.<ref>http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/unicorn</ref> | ||
==Unicorns in the Judeo-Christian Tradition== | ==Unicorns in the Judeo-Christian Tradition== | ||
| − | The word "unicorn" is included in the text of the [[King James Version|King James]] translation of [[The Bible]] nine times | + | The word "unicorn" is included in the text of the [[King James Version|King James]] translation of [[The Bible]] nine times<ref>http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/read/what_about_the_unicorn_and_the_satyr</ref>. |
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| + | The existence of unicorns is controversial. Secular opinion is that they are mythical, however [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologists]] have advanced various arguments that the biblical unicorn was not a fantasy animal. <ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v14/i2/unicorn.asp</ref> In the original texts, unicorns go by the [[Hebrew]] name ''Re-em'' whereas the [[Greek]] [[Septuagint]] used the word ''monokeros'', meaning "one-horned".<ref name="dinobible">[http://www.genesispark.com/genpark/bible/bible.htm "Dinosaurs in the Bible"], Genesis Park</ref> The English word "unicorn" is derived from the [[Latin]], ''ūnicornis'', also meaning "one-horned". | ||
While popularly characterized as a horned member of the horse [[baramin]], it is likely that the "unicorn" was actually quite un-horselike. One recognized theory is that "unicorn" actually refers to a [[rhinoceros]], and a growing number of Creation researchers are theorizing that the unicorn was actually a member of the [[triceratops | ceratopsian]] baramin.<ref name="dinobible"/> | While popularly characterized as a horned member of the horse [[baramin]], it is likely that the "unicorn" was actually quite un-horselike. One recognized theory is that "unicorn" actually refers to a [[rhinoceros]], and a growing number of Creation researchers are theorizing that the unicorn was actually a member of the [[triceratops | ceratopsian]] baramin.<ref name="dinobible"/> | ||
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| + | <div style="text-align:center">[[Image:reem.png|Remains of hypothetical ceratopsian ''re-em'']]</div> | ||
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| + | ==Symbolic & Heraldic Usage== | ||
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| + | [[Image:unicorn.vinycomb1907.png|right|Heraldic rendering of a unicorn|200px]] | ||
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| + | Unicorns in [[heraldry]] typically have the body and head of a horse, the tail of a [[lion]], the limbs and hoofs of a stag, and a twisted horn growing from the forehead<ref name="vinycomb">''Fictitious & Symbolic Creatures in Art with special reference to their use in British Heraldry'', by John Vinycomb, 1907</ref>. It is typically used to symbolize virtue of mind and strength of body, but has also been used as an emblem of [[Christ]] as the horn of our [[Salvation]]<ref name="vinycomb"/>. | ||
==Artificial Unicorns== | ==Artificial Unicorns== | ||
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<references/> | <references/> | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
| − | [[Leviathan]] | + | [[Leviathan]], [[Behemoth]] |
Revision as of 11:44, March 12, 2007
Commonly, a mythical beast resembling a white horse with a single horn grown out of its forehead.[1]
Unicorns in the Judeo-Christian Tradition
The word "unicorn" is included in the text of the King James translation of The Bible nine times[2].
The existence of unicorns is controversial. Secular opinion is that they are mythical, however Christian apologists have advanced various arguments that the biblical unicorn was not a fantasy animal. [3] In the original texts, unicorns go by the Hebrew name Re-em whereas the Greek Septuagint used the word monokeros, meaning "one-horned".[4] The English word "unicorn" is derived from the Latin, ūnicornis, also meaning "one-horned".
While popularly characterized as a horned member of the horse baramin, it is likely that the "unicorn" was actually quite un-horselike. One recognized theory is that "unicorn" actually refers to a rhinoceros, and a growing number of Creation researchers are theorizing that the unicorn was actually a member of the ceratopsian baramin.[4]
Symbolic & Heraldic Usage
Unicorns in heraldry typically have the body and head of a horse, the tail of a lion, the limbs and hoofs of a stag, and a twisted horn growing from the forehead[5]. It is typically used to symbolize virtue of mind and strength of body, but has also been used as an emblem of Christ as the horn of our Salvation[5].
Artificial Unicorns
In 1984 the U.S. patent office granted patent number 4,429,685 to Timothy G. Zell for his development of a surgical procedure to create a "unicorn" from a horned animal[6]. The basis for the patent was "Lancelot the living unicorn" (actually a goat) bred by Timothy "Otter" Zell and his wife Morning Glory Zell[7].
References
- ↑ http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/unicorn
- ↑ http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/read/what_about_the_unicorn_and_the_satyr
- ↑ http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v14/i2/unicorn.asp
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Dinosaurs in the Bible", Genesis Park
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Fictitious & Symbolic Creatures in Art with special reference to their use in British Heraldry, by John Vinycomb, 1907
- ↑ Patent 4,429,685 [1]
- ↑ Lancelot[2]