United Kingdom Unicorn Research Paper

Unicorns

The Unicorn is a fantastical and mythological creature that has pervaded fairytales, literature, religious mythologies, and artwork, for centuries. Though there are many debates about what the image of the Unicorn means and how it is perceived, the history of the unicorn proves that it serves to reinforce the political and nationalist rhetoric in the United Kingdom. The Unicorn developed into a symbol of power and strength for the United Kingdom. This shift in interpretation occurred with the adoption of the Unicorn to the United Kingdom’s Royal Coat of Arms. Despite changing political climates, the Unicorn still maintains a strong presence throughout the United Kingdom. To do this, one must consider and trace the history and the mythology of the unicorn, and how it transformed into a symbol and the implications that this has on the United Kingdom. Before delving into the exploration of the unicorn in regards to the United Kingdom, it is important to consider how this beast was initially discovered and deemed to be an existing creature. The unicorn is a mythical creature that appears to be a horse

According to the medieval folklore that has been perpetuated by medieval bestiaries, the lion and the unicorn hate one another. This strange rivalry dates back to the ancient Babylonians in 3,500 B.C. The fight between the two results from the Unicorn representing spring and the lion representing summer. Each year the two fight for supremacy; and each year the lion eventually wins. This is a clear parallel to the reality between both Scotland and England, that can be seen even in modern times. Recently, in 2014, Scotland held a referendum vote to obtain independence from the United Kingdom. The vote did not pass, a sad case for many who oppose the monarch. This English nursery rhyme, encompasses the hatred between the two countries for