Death of a Unicorn: A Deep Dive in Unicorn Mythology

From ancient Persian and Babylonian artifacts to children's colorful books and cartoon series, unicorns have captured human imagination for centuries. Unlike depictions in My Little Pony, unicorns have been described as swift and ferocious horse-like animals, in most cases impossible to tame, with mind-blowing healing powers rooted in their long horns spiraling out of their foreheads. I have traced back their existence through history and gathered what I have found in this blog. However, all these signs really leave us questioning, “Were they ever real?”

©A24

Recently I had the chance to watch the new A24 production movie Death of a Unicorn starring Jenna Ortega and Paul Rudd. My opinion on the movie isn't the main motif of this blog, but it did make me interested in knowing more about unicorn mythology. Death of a Unicorn is not only a great movie for a horse girl but also an ‘eat the rich’ horror satire that takes a turn when a series of events lead an angry unicorn couple to go on a murder spree and avenge their baby.

Warning, spoiler alert.

A Brief Summary of the Plot of Death of a Unicorn

Death of a Unicorn poster
Dr.Alex Scharfman 2025

The movie Death of a Unicorn opens with Elliot and Ridley, a father and daughter duo, on the road to a billionaire's house to spend the weekend. After a tiff with Ridley, Elliot loses control of the car and runs a unicorn over. Thinking the poor thing is dead, they rush to the body. The unicorn is covered in purple blood and seems to be taking its last breath. Riley, distracted by the horn glowing like a lightbulb, holds it with one hand and sees some cosmic visions, but then they disappear when her father beats the unicorn to death with a tire iron. With purple blood splashed on both their faces, they continue their journey with the unicorn back in the trunk. 

Odel Leopold, Elliot's dying boss who owns the remote estate, expects them along with his family. Shortly after Elliot and Ridley's arrival, they both realize that their health has magically improved—Riley with her acne and Elliot with his eyesight and allergies. Eventually, the Leopolds discover the unicorn in their car, and after Riley gives away the secret about its healing abilities, they start experimenting with it. 

A group of scientists cures Odel of his cancer using the unicorn horn. The Leopolds, now fascinated with its magical healing powers, start consuming the unicorn one way after another, from its horn to its blood and flesh. Riley does her research on The Unicorn Tapestries and tries to warn them and tell them not to mess with the unicorn gang, but nobody listens. 

When the baby unicorns' parents locate their baby, they don't waste a minute to attack the Leopolds one by one (P.S. I won't give away any more details.). After a series of gory murders, the story ends with Elliot dead and Riley crying on the front porch. The unicorns, tamed only by Riley herself, bring their baby and Elliot back to life using their magic.

Unicorns Have Come a Long Way

Winged bull relief
 in Persepolis, Iran

The first documented signs of unicorns date back to ancient Persia in 400 BCE. Ctesias, a Greek physician who served the courts of Persian kings during the golden age of the Achaemenid Empire, wrote a book and described unicorns as winged bulls. Some remaining ruins of reliefs at Persepolis (the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire) in Iran show bulls with one single horn that were probably perceived as unicorns.

Another possibly close belief about the existence of unicorns rose from its similarity to the rhinoceros (P.S. not really). Many say that the Persian unicorn is basically Karkadann (کرگدن: Persian for rhinoceros, meaning ‘lord of the desert’). The myth of Karkadann is way darker than the Western unicorn myth. It's said to be a beast or a monster only slain by the greatest Persian heroes. On the other hand, it also has similarities to the unicorn myth, like being tamed by a virgin and its healing powers. Karkadann’s horn, with its obvious differences in terms of shape from that of a unicorn, was believed to have been both a source of poison and an antidote. 

Shadhavar

Shadhavar (شادهوار), found in the writings of Iranian philosophers like Zakariyya' al-Qazwini, is described as a gazelle with one horn on its head. As for its name, "shad" means "happy" and "havar" means "shouter" or "singer," so Shadhavar means someone who sings happily or simply a happy singer. The reason behind the name is fascinating, and it's rooted in its haunting strategy. Shadhavar’s horn consists of 42 hollow branches that make sweet melodies when the wind blows to lure in its prey .

Mary, Queen of Scots’ coat
of arms at Falkland Palace
©James Walsh 

Moving forward, In medieval times the Scottish royal family did in fact choose the unicorn as their national animal. You may ask why they would choose a mythical animal instead of a real one. Well, apart from their love for folklore and stories, the unicorn was a symbol of purity and strength, which was later displayed in the royal coats of arms in order to distinguish between groups of people in the mid-1500s.

A Virgin with a Unicorn
fresco by Domenichino, c. 1604–1605

Unicorns were thought to be tamed by virgins and were heavily associated with heroic lovers and chivalry in the Middle Ages. Ultimately, it became a symbol of chastity and loyalty during the Renaissance. 

A very popular legend among the medieval nobility about the unicorn horn was its ability to purify water. As a result, they drank from valuable cups made out of ‘unicorn horn’ as a protection against poisoning. It's good to mention that in reality these cups were made from rhinoceros horn or narwhal tusk and not a unicorn horn.

The Unicorn Tapestries 

As shown in the movie Death of a Unicorn, there is a series of seven tapestries called The Unicorn Tapestries. Almost half a century old, they were discovered in the possession of François VI de La Rochefoucauld in 1680 CE. 

The Unicorn Tapestries (1495–1505)

"The Hunters Enter the Woods"

"The Unicorn Purifies Water"

"The Unicorn Crosses a Stream"

"The Unicorn Defends Himself"

The two Fragments of "The Unicorn Surrenders to a Maiden"

"The Hunters Return to the Castle"

 "The Unicorn Rests in a Garden" also called "The Unicorn in Captivity"

There are different interpretations of these series. We can see the unicorn purifying water using its horn and defending itself against humans and other animals. Later it's killed and then resurrected as it rests in a garden. But the two-piece tapestry of the maiden shows how it's tamed only by the hands of a chaste woman. What's your interpretation of these tapestries? How would you change the order of the tapestries and tell the story of this unicorn?