The Unicorn

There has been a fascination with stories about the unicorn which was an animal mentioned directly a few times in the Bible, but may have some reference to the creature in other places yet the truth about this creature may have some basis in fact. In ancient times any creature that was significantly different would have potential value and the unicorn would certainly fit the criteria. Arab traders in ancient times would often bring home many unusual animals and plants and if a one horned animal could be found it may be worth a fortune.

Parts of animals were often used for medical mixtures and although they may have merely been providing a bit of hope to very sick people, it was hope. There were plants that were found to have medicinal value. The horns of animals were ground into powder and added to a wide range of other ingredients to produce "medicines". The horn of the "unicorn" was used for many kinds of treatments including as a kind of "Viagra" of the past Aphrodisiacs were potential money makers even then.

The Arab traders knew that the horn buds of a common cow could be removed and then implanted in the forehead of the cow and the horn would still grow. Strangely if both buds were place there, the buds would grow and even curl on each other as they grew. The "unicorn" cow would be dominant over other cows that only had regular horns or no horns. It could easily win a battle and because it was dominant it actually is thought to have become tamer. One of the myths of the unicorn is that it was so gentle that it would put its head in the "lap of a maiden". Many animals like having the area around their ears scratched and it is likely that some cows would like this also.

The cow then that had one horn could be sold for a great deal of profit and the horn could be ground into medicinal powder. Arab traders had many tricks and stories to tell. One neat trick was to plant "traveler's palm trees" on the coastal areas where they traded. If the area was considered to be a good and safe area for trade they planted the palm trees. Then on returning visits they could easily see the trees before landing and know the place had been a good and safe trade location in the past. This is naturally why this type of palm tree is called the traveler's palm.

Creating stories was a great method of increasing the value of their heroic deeds and the value of their products and services. Even the gates of Babylon had animals painted in such strict "relief" (side views) that if the animal had two horns you would not know it from the drawings. Everyday life would be pretty dull when compared to the great tales traders would tell about far away lands. Even today we still search for new species of animals and plants around the world.