Printable Unicorn Mask

5 Interesting Facts About Unicorns!

• Scotland's national animal is the unicorn - adopted as a symbol of purity and power in the 12th century, it appears on the Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland alongside the lion, and remains an official national emblem to this day.
• Ancient Greeks believed unicorns were real animals - Greek historian Ctesias described them as wild donkeys with a single horn on the forehead, probably based on travellers' accounts of the Indian rhinoceros seen from the side.
• The narwhal's spiralling tusk was sold as genuine unicorn horn throughout the Middle Ages - called alicorn, it was believed to have magical and medicinal properties and commanded prices that could buy a small castle.
• The unicorn has been a symbol of the British monarchy since 1603 - when James VI of Scotland became James I of England, the Scottish unicorn joined the English lion on the Royal Coat of Arms, where both remain today.
• In heraldry, the unicorn is always depicted with a chain - representing its great power and the need to keep it restrained. A free unicorn was considered too dangerous even to be depicted.