Happy National Unicorn Day!

If I’m the first person to wish you a Happy National Unicorn Day today, I hope that I won’t be the last.  And I hope that you will take some time out of your day to commemorate the occasion.

National Unicorn Day is celebrated on April 9 every year to commemorate the popular, mythical creature with a horn growing out of its forehead.

Written accounts of unicorns are found in ancient Greek natural history, but not in Greek mythology.  At that time, they were believed to reside in India. These ancient unicorns were described as fierce, powerful, fleet animals.

During the middle ages, unicorns became a symbol of purity and grace in European folklore; wild, woodland, white horse-like or goat-like animals that could only be captured and tamed by virgin maidens.

Modern unicorns, while still mythical, tend to be portrayed in a more cartoonish manner. Many common representations portray the unicorn with a rainbow mane and/or tail. In modern business lingo, a person might be described as a unicorn if they possess a unique and desired combination of skills or talents.

One of my favorite books when I was a little girl was the story of Morgan and Me, about a beautiful princess who lived in the Land of Later. She was supposed to clean her room but decided that she would … just a little later.  When she comes across a unicorn named Morgan, whose horn got caught and is stuck, she promises to help him … just a little later.  But when she falls in the pond and gets stranded on a lily pad, she learns her lesson about later and vows to her new unicorn friend to never put off what should be done now for later.  Aww, cute.

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Some Unicorn fun facts:

• The unicorn is the national animal of Scotland.
• Unicorns are mentioned six times in the King James bible.
• Unicorns cannot fly.
• According to the Jewish legend, a unicorn can easily kill an elephant.
• The Unicorn is thought to hold the power to divine truth and will pierce the heart of a liar with its horn.
• A US patent was granted for a surgical procedure to create Unicorns in 1980.

How to celebrate National Unicorn Day?

Unfortunately, due to the national hermitage movement, this is not the year to throw a unicorn party, but I’m sure that we can all find some ways to celebrate while staying #SafeAtHome.  Why not:

• Use food coloring to make any boring, white food colorful – rainbow swirl mashed potatoes maybe? Or if you’re feeling industrious, bake some rainbow-colored cookies and decorate them with sprinkles.
• Draw a picture of a unicorn. Hang it in your front window to brighten your neighbor’s day.
• Do something fancy with your mane today.  Maybe braid some ribbons in your ponytail or don a flower crown.
• Find some other ways to bring magic and happiness into your house today: maybe shed the sweatpants and toss on a party dress, light some nice smelling candles, or take a bubble bath.

I hope that you will join me in celebrating National Unicorn Day a la distance!  Have a magical, mystical day my friends.