We have all heard of unicorns. But what is the source of the legend?
The first writings of the unicorn can be found in the Indus Valley Civilization circa 3000 – 1300 B.C. Images of unicorns can be found in wax seals of elite society members that depict a horse like animal with a single horn protruding from its skull.
Even Biblical passages refer to a strong and splendid horned animal called a reʾem. A Re’em is a herbrew word which translates to “unicorn” or “rhinoceros”.
What was the source of this one horned animal? There is an animal found in the middle east as well as Africa that appears to have one horn from its profile view. This animal is very likely the source of the legend of the unicorn.
Meet the Oryx!
The Unicorn was reputed in mythology to be cloven hoofed and horse like, both of which describes the Oryx. When an Oryx is seen from is profile; it appears to have one horn rather than two.
The white Arabian Oryx is an antelope with straight horns and a tufted tail. It is found in the Arabian Peninsula.
