Einhörner

Einhörner, the German term for “unicorns,” refer to mythical hoofed creatures characterized by a single spiraled horn on their foreheads. The earliest literary references arise from ancient Mesopotamian and Greek writings, where such beings were often depicted as wild, untamable beasts. In Greek lore, the unicorn is sometimes conflated with the Agryps (a mythical horse with a horn), and Apollodorus describes it as a straggling creature that can be tamed only by a virgin. Roman authors such as Pliny the Elder described the “unicorni” as real animals from India, noting that the horn could be used for medicinal purposes.

By the Middle Ages, European traditions portrayed Einhörner as symbols of purity and chastity. Christian iconography frequently associated them with Christ’s glory, and medieval manuscripts contain illustrations of knights pursuing the horned horse, reflecting the belief that the unicorn’s horn possessed curative powers. In the Renaissance and Enlightenment periods, the unicorn was often invoked in heraldry and literature, notably in Shakespeare’s "Do My Favour." In more modern times, Einhörner entered popular culture through fairy tales, fantasy literature, and contemporary media, where they are depicted as gentle or majestic creatures.

The “horn” of the unicorn has been studied in taxonomy and folklore: some scholars link the myth to the Indian rhinoceros or the proboscis of the proboscis monkey. The cryptid continues to inspire scientific curiosity and artistic imagination. While no physical evidence supports the existence of true Einhörner, the creature’s enduring presence in myths, religious symbolism, and modern storytelling underscores its significance across cultures and epochs.