Unicorn

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A unicorn, as envisioned by Kevin Catalan ©

A unicorn is a large goat-like animal, with a long single horn on its head. Unicorns are believed to live on Skagos,[1][2] and some claim unicorns can be found in the higher mountains of Ib.[3] Sure-footed unicorns can climb steep mountains.[4]

Culture

The House Brax coat of arms features a unicorn.

There are ancient tales of Hairy Men in Essos riding unicorns to battle,[5] and Skagosi lords are also said to ride unicorns.[4]

Stone sentries outside of the shop of Tobho Mott in King's Landing are decorated as griffin and unicorn knights.[6]

Several Westerosi houses feature heraldic unicorns in their sigils, including Houses Brax,[7] Doggett,[7] Rogers,[8] and Wydman.[9] Ser Flement Brax decorates his horsehead helm with a long spiral horn.[10]

Dishonest traders sometimes sell "unicorn horns" which are actually the tusks of narwhals hunted by the Ibbenese.[4]

Recent Events

A Feast for Crows

Samwell Tarly recalls having read that the Skagosi ride great shaggy unicorns to war.[1]

Unicorn horns are amongst plunder brought from distant lands by Euron Greyjoy.[11]

A Dance with Dragons

Jon Snow, in a dream as his direwolf, Ghost, sees that Shaggydog has fought and killed what may be a unicorn.[12]

In the cave of the three-eyed crow Leaf tells Bran Stark that the unicorns are all but gone.[13]

Among some of the tribute collected from the free folk passing through the Wall is a helm made with a unicorn’s head.[14]

Real-world woodcut depicting a unicorn, circa 13th century

Quotes

A wild rain lashed down upon his black brother as he tore at the flesh of an enormous goat, washing the blood from his side where the goat's long horn had raked him.[12]

—dreams of Jon Snow as Ghost

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 15, Samwell II.
  2. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 9, Davos I.
  3. The World of Ice & Fire, Beyond the Free Cities: Ib.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The North: The Stoneborn of Skagos.
  5. The World of Ice & Fire, Beyond the Free Cities: The Grasslands.
  6. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 27, Eddard VI.
  7. 7.0 7.1 The Citadel. Heraldry: Houses in the Westerlands
  8. The Citadel. Heraldry: Houses from the Stormlands
  9. The Citadel. Heraldry: Houses in the Vale
  10. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 56, Tyrion VII.
  11. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 29, The Reaver.
  12. 12.0 12.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 3, Jon I.
  13. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 34, Bran III.
  14. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 58, Jon XII.

External links

  • Unicorn - Wikipedia article on the real-world mythological creature.