The Indrik Beast: A Massive Russian Unicorn

Unicorns have fascinated humanity for thousands of years. While single-horned beasts have existed in several times and places throughout human history, it is interesting to note that myths about unicorns dominate almost every culture in the world. Unicorns have appeared in the myths of China, Japan, Persia, Israel, indigenous South America, North Africa, India and the entirety of Europe. Russia, home of the unicorn known as the indrik beast, is no exception.

These myths vary widely in their descriptions of the unicorns and their nature. In some cultures, unicorns are regarded as peaceful and tame. In others, they are vicious and predatory. Depending on the culture of origin, the unicorn may resemble a cat, rhinoceros, dinosaur, hippopotamus, giraffe, horse, ox, gazelle or goat. The Russian indrik beast most closely resembles a gigantic bull, at least the size of an elephant, with the head of a horse and a large horn protruding from its head.

The indrik beast, which gets its name from the Russian word edinorog, meaning "unicorn," was said to live on a mythical mountain known as the Holy Mountain or Saint's Mountain. Depending on the region of Russia, the indrik-beast's mountain is either completely uninhabited by humans, or only holy humans are allowed to set fot on its ground. The Holy Mountain is presented as a fertile ground similar to Avalon or Garden of Eden in some contexts. In others, it might be considered a barren, rocky wasteland.

The indrik beast was said to be so large that the Earth shook when it walked. This may have been a mythical explanation for earthquakes. Alternatively, it may have been used to emphasize the powerful nature of the animal as a symbol for the wilderness.

There are no current online references to the indrik beast's mythical diet. In legends, it might have been said to be a carnivore like the Persian karkadann unicorn, or it might have been a large but gentle herbivore.

This does raise another fascinating (albeit perhaps childish) question: is it possible that the indrik beast might have existed? I discuss the possibility of prehistoric unicorns in this article, but, to date, there is no evidence of a unicorn fitting the historic description of the indrik beast.

Nevertheless, the indrik beast does loan its name to an extinct creature. Known as Indicortherium, this long-deceased species is the largest mammal ever to have dwelled on planet Earth. This relative of the hippopotamus was significantly larger than even the most massive of mammoths. Modern elephants would be dwarfed by comparison. So, while the indrik beast itself may not have ever lived, its legacy and spirit persist in our collective memory-- even as we advance our scientific understanding of the past.