The Unicorn: A Mythological Investigation

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

The Unicorn: A Mythological Investigation

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

Robert Brown's 1881 investigation traces the unicorn from heraldic symbolism to lunar mythology, exploring its origins in archaic art, its association with chastity, and its cosmic role as a lunar deity opposing the solar lion.

Summary up to 500 words

In *The Unicorn: A Mythological Investigation* (1881), Robert Brown presents a profound analysis of the unicorn not merely as a mythical beast, but as a complex symbol rooted in natural phenomena and cosmic order. Brown establishes the unicorn's heraldic status as the lunar counterpart to the solar lion, representing the 'chaste Moon.' Its single, twisted horn serves to purify waters and drive away darkness, distinguishing the pale, beneficent light of the moon from the burning gold of the sun. Brown delves into ancient texts, arguing that Old Testament references to unicorns often misidentify terrestrial animals like the wild bull or celestial entities from the Bundahis, a Zoroastrian text. He reconstructs a worldview where mythology explains the divisions of time and the forces of nature, specifically the eternal struggle between day and night. This cosmic drama is illustrated through the 'contest between the lion and the leopard,' where the leopard represents the starry night that traps the solar lion in the underworld. The work extensively analyzes the unicorn's connection to deities such as Artemis and Hekate, noting its association with chastity and the underworld. Brown explores archaic art and the concept of the 'three-legged ass' of the Bundahis, interpreting it as a triform moon standing amid the 'wide-formed ocean' of the heavens. He deciphers descriptions of six eyes and nine mouths as symbolic representations of the moon's phases and its power to destroy evil. Ultimately, Brown synthesizes these elements to present the unicorn as a guardian of righteousness and a key to understanding the ancient human psyche's relationship with the cosmos. He argues that the study of such myths is essential to psychology, as it reveals the primitive mental phases that shaped human thought regarding time, eternity, and the cosmic order. The book concludes that while modern civilization may distance us from these archaic ideas, the unicorn remains a vital symbol of the moon's dual nature as both a nurturing force and a terrifying, Gorgonian power.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/ebooks/robert-brown_unicorn-a-mythological-investigation.epub

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Categories

• Folklore
• Mythology