Unicornucopia: The Little Book of Unicorns. Caitlin Doyle
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Название: Unicornucopia: The Little Book of Unicorns
Автор: Caitlin Doyle
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Справочная литература: прочее
isbn: 9780008293123
isbn:
THEN TODAY’S POPULAR CULTURE WOULD HAVE US BELIEVE THAT UNICORNS’ DIET CONSISTS ENTIRELY OF RAINBOW FOODS, BRIMMING WITH SUGAR, SPRINKLES, AND MINI MARSHMALLOWS. BUT UNTIL WE HEAR IT DIRECTLY FROM THE UNICORN’S MOUTH,
we’ll have to keep on imagining!
LEGEND HAS IT THAT A UNICORN STOPPED THE FEARSOME INVADER
Genghis Khan
FROM CONQUERING INDIA. AS THE WARRIOR WAS PREPARING FOR THE INVASION,
a unicorn knelt before him and gazed into his eyes.
WITH NO OTHER EXPLANATION FOR WHAT HE SAW THAN IT BEING A HEAVENLY SIGN,
Genghis Khan ordered his army to retreat.
In spite of being fearless,
UNICORNS ARE SUPPOSEDLY SCARED OF LABRADORS, BUT ESPECIALLY
tame around pheasants.
The virtuous unicorn
IS SAID TO BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE
liars instantly
AND WILL PIERCE SUCH INDIVIDUALS THROUGH THE HEART WITH ITS HORN!
Saint Hildegard,
A 12TH-CENTURY GERMAN ABBESS, WELL RESPECTED FOR HER TEACHINGS ON MEDICINE AND SCIENCE,
recommended an anti-leprosy ointment
MADE OF EGG YOLK AND FOIE DE LICORNE, OR UNICORN LIVER.
The unicorn
EVEN APPEARS IN THE BIBLE AS A MAJESTIC ANIMAL CALLED A RE’EM, BASED ON TRANSLATIONS FROM SCHOLARS IN 300 BCE.
Modern translations now refer to this animal as a wild ox,
EXPLAINING THAT THE UNICORN WAS SIMPLY A TRANSLATION ERROR, BUT THE UNICORN HELD A SPECIAL SYMBOLIC MEANING FOR THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH EVEN SO.
The unicorn, with its peaceful but powerful nature, has symbolized Jesus.
JESUS IS SAID TO HAVE RAISED A UNICORN HORN AS A SYMBOL OF SALVATION FOR HUMANKIND. THE WORD ‘UNICORN’ OCCURS NINE TIMES IN THE KING JAMES BIBLE.
‘SAVE ME FROM THE LION’S MOUTH: FOR THOU HAST HEARD ME FROM THE HORNS OF THE UNICORNS.’
– PSALMS 22:21, KING JAMES BIBLE
‘GOD BROUGHT THEM OUT OF EGYPT; HE HATH AS IT WERE THE STRENGTH OF AN UNICORN.’
– NUMBERS 23:22, KING JAMES BIBLE
IN ANCIENT ASIA, UNICORNS WERE SEEN
as bringers of good luck.
Unicorn horns
WERE BELIEVED TO CURE FEVERS, NEUTRALIZE POISONS, PROLONG YOUTH, AND
act as an aphrodisiac (love potion).
UNICORNS ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE
special powers,
INCLUDING PROTECTION, HEALTH, AND PURITY. THESE INCLUDE PROTECTION AGAINST STOMACH TROUBLE, EPILEPSY – AND EVEN THE PLAGUE. THOSE WHO DRANK FROM A UNICORN’S HORN WERE SAID TO BE PROTECTED FROM POISON, SINCE THE HORN WOULD PURIFY WHATEVER IT TOUCHED.
A unicorn could even purify a lake or stream by simply dipping its horn into the water.
IN APOTHECARIES ACROSS EUROPE,
unicorn horns
(OR ‘ALICORNS’) WERE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE UNTIL THE 18TH CENTURY, AS ONE OF THE MOST TRUSTED
health remedies.
IN ADDITION TO ELIXIRS AND POWDERS,
items of unicorn clothing
WERE ALSO MEANT TO PROTECT THE WEARER FROM MISFORTUNE AND DISEASE. ADORNED IN UNICORN-LEATHER SHOES AND A UNICORN BELT, THE FASHIONABLE MEDIEVAL WEARER WOULD EXPECT TO BE FREE OF DISEASE AND THE PLAGUE – BUT LIKELY WITH
empty pockets, due to the high price tag.
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