When we think about magical creatures, two of the most famous ones that come to mind are the unicorn and the pegasus. They both look like horses, they both show up in fairy tales and adventures, and they both feel like they gallop straight out of dreams. But even though they are sometimes mentioned together, they are different.

The Unicorn

 A unicorn is usually described as a white horse with a single, spiral horn on its forehead. That horn is the unicorn’s most important feature. In legends, the horn was said to have healing powers. Some stories say it could purify water or cure poison with just a touch.

Unicorns have been written about for thousands of years. Ancient Greek writers described them, and they appear in European stories all through the Middle Ages. People thought unicorns were wild and untamable. They were said to be shy around humans and only let themselves be seen by those with pure hearts. That is why the unicorn often became a symbol of innocence, goodness, and even truth.

Unicorns were also connected to nature. They were thought to protect forests and rivers, and their magical horn made them guardians of the wild. When we imagine unicorns today, we often think of gentle, glowing horses with sparkling manes who bring peace wherever they run.

Pegasus

 Pegasus comes from Greek mythology and has his own story. He is a white, winged horse who could fly through the skies. His wings were so strong that he could soar all the way to Mount Olympus, the home of the Greek gods.

In modern books and shows, the pegasus (plural: pegasi or pegasuses, depending on tradition) has enormous feathered wings and might live in hidden valleys or high mountains. Some stories make them noble partners for heroes, while others imagine them as playful companions who love racing the wind. The pegasus stands for freedom, speed, and adventure. They are brave and full of energy.

But wait! Eclipse and Serene are Alicorns!

 An alicorn is a magical mix of both unicorn and pegasus. It has the single spiraled horn of a unicorn and the wide feathered wings of a pegasus. While you won’t find alicorns in ancient myths, they have become popular in modern fantasy books. The word alicorn used to refer to the horn of a unicorn, but today it’s most often used to describe this combination of unicorn and pegasus. Alicorns are usually seen as the most powerful of the magical horses, combining the gentleness and wisdom of the unicorn with the daring freedom and leadership of the pegasus.

Who's Who on The Unicorn Shore?

Coral, Spark, Nibbles and Auri are unicorns.

Rose is a pegasus.

Eclipse, Serene and Solanar are Alicorns. 

Draven is a Kirin. The Kirin have their own mythology which we will discuss in a future blog.

Resources:

• Shepard, O. (1930). The Lore of the Unicorn. London: George Allen & Unwin.
• Barber, R. (1989). The Unicorn: Myth and Reality. New York: Boydell Press.
• Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2024). Unicorn. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/animal/unicorn
• Morford, M., Lenardon, R., & Sham, M. (2018). Classical Mythology. Oxford University Press.
• Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2024). Pegasus. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Pegasus-Greek-mythology
• Homer. (c. 8th century BCE). Theogony (Hesiod) – early references to Pegasus.
• Barber, R. (1989). The Unicorn: Myth and Reality. (On “alicorn” as unicorn horn).
• “Alicorn.” (2024). In Oxford English Dictionary.
• TV Tropes. (n.d.). Alicorn. (Modern fantasy usage as winged unicorn).
• Encyclopedia of Fantasy (Clute & Grant, 1997).