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{{Creature infobox
  
{{Creature infobox
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|image=[[File:Unicorn-2.jpg|250px]]
  
 
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{{Quote|Only one who has nothing to lose, and everything to gain, would commit such a crime. The blood of a unicorn will keep you alive, even if you are an inch from death, but at a terrible price. You have slain something so pure and defenceless to save yourself, you will have but a half-life, a cursed life, from the moment the blood touches your lips.|The properties of unicorn blood|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}
  
{{Quote|Only one who has nothing to lose, and everything to gain, would commit such a crime. The blood of a unicorn will keep you alive, even if you are an inch from death, but at a terrible price. You have slain something so pure and defenceless to save yourself, you will have but a half-life, a cursed life, from the moment the blood touches your lips.|The properties of unicorn blood|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}
   
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The '''Unicorn''' is a white horse with a horn sticking out of its head. An iconic creature of magic, the existence of unicorns is one of the worst-kept secrets of the magical world, as unicorns are inextricably associated with magic in the Muggle world. These majestic equines possess potent magical properties, with their tail hairs being deigned by Garrick Olivander as one of the "Supreme Cores," which is a distinction shared by only two other beasts.
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The '''Unicorn''' is a white horse with a horn sticking out of its head. An iconic creature of magic, the existence of unicorns is one of the worst-kept secrets of the magical world, as unicorns are inextricably associated with magic in the Muggle world. These majestic equines possess potent magical properties, with their tail hairs being deigned by [[Garrick Olivander]] as one of the "Supreme Cores," which is a distinction shared by only two other beasts.
   
 
==History==
  
==History==
−
[[File:Unicorns death.jpg|246x246px|thumb|left|A dead unicorn in [[1992]]]]
 +
[[File:Unicorns death.jpg|250px|thumb|left|A dead unicorn in [[1992]]]]
 
At least two unicorns were slain by [[Quirinus Quirrell]] so [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] could drink their blood and return to power. [[Harry Potter]], [[Draco Malfoy]] and [[Fang]] found the corpse of one of them in the Forbidden Forest.
  
At least two unicorns were slain by [[Quirinus Quirrell]] so [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] could drink their blood and return to power. [[Harry Potter]], [[Draco Malfoy]] and [[Fang]] found the corpse of one of them in the Forbidden Forest.
  +
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[[File:WingedHorses PM B4C24M1 StudentsByWingedHorsesAndUnicorn Moment.jpg|thumb|251x251px|[[Professor Grubbly-Plank]] showing her class some unicorns.]]
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[[File:VXTu50IPVC4.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Professor Grubbly-Plank]] showing her class some unicorns.]]
 
In [[1995]], [[fourth year]] students at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] studied unicorns in their [[Care of Magical Creatures]] class, while [[Professor]] [[Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank]] was standing in for Hagrid.<ref>{{GOF}}</ref>
  
In [[1995]], [[fourth year]] students at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] studied unicorns in their [[Care of Magical Creatures]] class, while [[Professor]] [[Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank]] was standing in for Hagrid.<ref>{{GOF}}</ref>
   
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==Description==
  
==Description==
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[[File:Unicorn_FBCFTWW.png|190x190px|thumb|left]]
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[[File:Unicorn_FBCFTWW.png|220px|thumb|left]]
 
Unicorn foals are born pure gold in colour. They remain so until they are about two years old, at which time they turn silver in colour. At around four years old their horn grows in. They are fully grown at about seven years old, at which at this age they turn a shade of pure white that is so bright that it makes freshly fallen [[Water|snow]] look grey in comparison. Their hooves are golden (remaining so from their gold stage, the first two years of their life), and their [[Unicorn blood|blood]] is silver-blue in colour and shines under the moonlight. It is not mentioned how long a Unicorn can live for.
  
Unicorn foals are born pure gold in colour. They remain so until they are about two years old, at which time they turn silver in colour. At around four years old their horn grows in. They are fully grown at about seven years old, at which at this age they turn a shade of pure white that is so bright that it makes freshly fallen [[Water|snow]] look grey in comparison. Their hooves are golden (remaining so from their gold stage, the first two years of their life), and their [[Unicorn blood|blood]] is silver-blue in colour and shines under the moonlight. It is not mentioned how long a Unicorn can live for.
   
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==Uses==
  
==Uses==
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[[File:UnicornSlaying.png|220x220px|thumb|A [[Slytherin Dungeon tapestries|Medieval tapestry]] depicting wizards slaying a unicorn, and collecting [[Unicorn blood|its blood]]]]
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[[File:UnicornSlaying.png|220px|thumb|A [[Slytherin Dungeon tapestries|Medieval tapestry]] depicting wizards slaying a unicorn, and collecting [[Unicorn blood|its blood]]]]
   
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Various parts of the Unicorn — the [[Unicorn horn|horn]] and [[Unicorn hair|tail hair]] in particular — are used in potions. [[Unicorn hair]] in general is used for the [[wand core|cores]] of [[wand]]s. Unicorn hair can be used in wandmaking; they produce the most consistent magic, least subject to fluctuations and blockages, most difficult to turn to the [[Dark Arts]] and the most faithful of wands.<ref>[http://lady-slytherin-forever.tumblr.com/post/8977640199/wand-cores-off-of-pottermore New Wandcore information from pottermore]</ref> However, they do not make the most powerful of wands and are prone to melancholy if mishandled. [[Garrick Ollivander]] made wands with unicorn hairs.<ref>[http://lady-slytherin-forever.tumblr.com/post/8977640199/wand-cores-off-of-pottermore New Wandcore information from pottermore]</ref>
 +
Various parts of the Unicorn — the [[Unicorn horn|horn]] and [[Unicorn hair|tail hair]] in particular — are used in potions. [[Unicorn hair]] in general is used for the [[wand core|cores]] of [[wand]]s. Unicorn hair can be used in wandmaking; they produce the most consistent magic, least subject to fluctuations and blockages, most difficult to turn to the [[Dark Arts]] and the most faithful of wands. However, they do not make the most powerful of wands and are prone to melancholy if mishandled. [[Garrick Ollivander]] made wands with unicorn hairs.<ref>[http://lady-slytherin-forever.tumblr.com/post/8977640199/wand-cores-off-of-pottermore New Wandcore information from pottermore]</ref>
   
 
The tail hair can also be used as binding in bandages due to its incredible strength.<ref>{{HBP}}</ref> The [[Unicorn blood|blood of a unicorn]] can be used to keep a person who is near death alive, but "''you will have but a half-life, a cursed life, from the moment the blood touches your lips''."<ref name="ps">{{PS}}</ref>
  
The tail hair can also be used as binding in bandages due to its incredible strength.<ref>{{HBP}}</ref> The [[Unicorn blood|blood of a unicorn]] can be used to keep a person who is near death alive, but "''you will have but a half-life, a cursed life, from the moment the blood touches your lips''."<ref name="ps">{{PS}}</ref>
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==Behind the scenes==
  
==Behind the scenes==
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* The {{wplink|unicorn}} was a creature that the ancient Greeks believed resided in India. Though commonly depicted in modern fantasy (as in ''Harry Potter'') as being a horse with a single horn, unicorns in antiquity were also described as goats, wild asses, or some form of hybrid creature. The concept of them being more comfortable with witches than wizards possibly stems from medieval beliefs that only a maiden could tame a unicorn.[[File:Unicorn Patronus.png|thumb|220x220px|A unicorn [[Patronus]].|left]]
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* The {{wplink|unicorn}} was a creature that the ancient Greeks believed resided in India. Though commonly depicted in modern fantasy (as in ''Harry Potter'') as being a horse with a single horn, unicorns in antiquity were also described as goats, wild asses, or some form of hybrid creature. The concept of them being more comfortable with witches than wizards possibly stems from medieval beliefs that only a maiden could tame a unicorn.[[File:Unicorn Patronus.png|thumb|220px|A unicorn [[Patronus]].]]
 
* In {{LEGO|Y1}}, Voldemort tries to sneak up on the unicorn with a knife and fork, but is scared off by Firenze who shows him his fist. Hagrid then proceeds to care for the sick unicorn like a child.
  
* In {{LEGO|Y1}}, Voldemort tries to sneak up on the unicorn with a knife and fork, but is scared off by Firenze who shows him his fist. Hagrid then proceeds to care for the sick unicorn like a child.
 
* Unicorns are capable of moving faster than [[Werewolf|werewolves]]. During the detention in the Forbidden Forest in [[1992]], Harry asked if a werewolf could be killing the unicorns and Hagrid replied that they're not fast enough.<ref name="ps" />
  
* Unicorns are capable of moving faster than [[Werewolf|werewolves]]. During the detention in the Forbidden Forest in [[1992]], Harry asked if a werewolf could be killing the unicorns and Hagrid replied that they're not fast enough.<ref name="ps" />
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*{{COS}} {{Mention}}
  
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*{{POA|G}} {{FWC}} {{Comment|Appears on wall-carpet}}
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*{{POA|G}} {{FWC}} {{C|Appears on wall-carpet}}
 
*{{GOF}}
  
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*{{DH}} {{Mention}} {{Comment|Seen on Harry Potter Collection book cover}}
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*{{TCG}}
  
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*{{PM}}
  
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*{{HPV|CH}} {{Mention}}
 
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==See also==
  
==See also==
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==Notes and references==
  
==Notes and references==
 
{{Reflist}}
  
{{Reflist}}
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{{Runes}}
  
{{Runes}}
 
{{Care of Magical Creatures}}
  
{{Care of Magical Creatures}}
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{{Creatures by classification}}{{Chocolate Frog Cards}}
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{{Creatures by classification}}
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{{Chocolate Frog Cards}}
 
[[de:Einhorn]]
  
[[de:Einhorn]]
 
[[es:Unicornio]]
  
[[es:Unicornio]]
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[[fi:Yksisarvinen]]
 
[[fr:Licorne]]
  
[[fr:Licorne]]
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[[fi:Yksisarvinen]]
  
 
[[it:Unicorno]]
  
[[it:Unicorno]]
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[[nl:Eenhoorn]]
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[[no:Enhjørning]]
 
[[pl:Jednorożec]]
  
[[pl:Jednorożec]]
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[[pt:Unicórnio]]
 
[[ru:Единорог]]
  
[[ru:Единорог]]
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[[Category:Beast Chocolate Frog Cards]]
  
[[Category:Beast Chocolate Frog Cards]]
 
[[Category:Creatures from Europe]]
  
[[Category:Creatures from Europe]]

Revision as of 19:40, 2 July 2018

"Only one who has nothing to lose, and everything to gain, would commit such a crime. The blood of a unicorn will keep you alive, even if you are an inch from death, but at a terrible price. You have slain something so pure and defenceless to save yourself, you will have but a half-life, a cursed life, from the moment the blood touches your lips."
— The properties of unicorn blood[src]

The Unicorn is a white horse with a horn sticking out of its head. An iconic creature of magic, the existence of unicorns is one of the worst-kept secrets of the magical world, as unicorns are inextricably associated with magic in the Muggle world. These majestic equines possess potent magical properties, with their tail hairs being deigned by Garrick Olivander as one of the "Supreme Cores," which is a distinction shared by only two other beasts.

History

Unicorns death

A dead unicorn in 1992

At least two unicorns were slain by Quirinus Quirrell so Lord Voldemort could drink their blood and return to power. Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy and Fang found the corpse of one of them in the Forbidden Forest.

VXTu50IPVC4

Professor Grubbly-Plank showing her class some unicorns.

In 1995, fourth year students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry studied unicorns in their Care of Magical Creatures class, while Professor Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank was standing in for Hagrid.[1]

Later, in the 1995-1996 school year, as part of the Ordinary Wizarding Level Care of Magical Creatures practical examination, students were required to choose from a wide selection of food the diet they would give a sick Unicorn.

The Unicorn was so brightly white that it made the snow all around look grey, It was pawing the ground nervously with its golden hooves, and throwing back its horned head.[2]

Description

Unicorn FBCFTWW

Unicorn foals are born pure gold in colour. They remain so until they are about two years old, at which time they turn silver in colour. At around four years old their horn grows in. They are fully grown at about seven years old, at which at this age they turn a shade of pure white that is so bright that it makes freshly fallen snow look grey in comparison. Their hooves are golden (remaining so from their gold stage, the first two years of their life), and their blood is silver-blue in colour and shines under the moonlight. It is not mentioned how long a Unicorn can live for.

Unicorns inhabit the forests of Europe, including the Forbidden Forest by Hogwarts.

Unicorns prefer a woman's touch, but the young ones are more trusting and do not mind men as much. Unicorns are also so fleet of hoof that they can rarely be caught by humans. They are also fast enough to outrun werewolves with absurd ease. Wandmakers such as the Ollivander family also pluck hairs from the tails of the creatures to use in wands. Not aggressive without cause, but should be treated with great respect.

Uses

UnicornSlaying

A Medieval tapestry depicting wizards slaying a unicorn, and collecting its blood

Various parts of the Unicorn — the horn and tail hair in particular — are used in potions. Unicorn hair in general is used for the cores of wands. Unicorn hair can be used in wandmaking; they produce the most consistent magic, least subject to fluctuations and blockages, most difficult to turn to the Dark Arts and the most faithful of wands. However, they do not make the most powerful of wands and are prone to melancholy if mishandled. Garrick Ollivander made wands with unicorn hairs.[3]

The tail hair can also be used as binding in bandages due to its incredible strength.[4] The blood of a unicorn can be used to keep a person who is near death alive, but "you will have but a half-life, a cursed life, from the moment the blood touches your lips."[5]

The unicorn's single straight horn is used, in runic, to symbolise the number one.[6]

A unicorn is one rare possible corporeal form of the Patronus Charm.[7]

Behind the scenes

  • The unicorn was a creature that the ancient Greeks believed resided in India. Though commonly depicted in modern fantasy (as in Harry Potter) as being a horse with a single horn, unicorns in antiquity were also described as goats, wild asses, or some form of hybrid creature. The concept of them being more comfortable with witches than wizards possibly stems from medieval beliefs that only a maiden could tame a unicorn.
    Unicorn Patronus

    A unicorn Patronus.

  • In LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4, Voldemort tries to sneak up on the unicorn with a knife and fork, but is scared off by Firenze who shows him his fist. Hagrid then proceeds to care for the sick unicorn like a child.
  • Unicorns are capable of moving faster than werewolves. During the detention in the Forbidden Forest in 1992, Harry asked if a werewolf could be killing the unicorns and Hagrid replied that they're not fast enough.[5]

Appearances

Wiki
The Harry Potter Wiki has 78 images related to Unicorn.

See also

Notes and references

  1. ↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
  2. ↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
  3. ↑ New Wandcore information from pottermore
  4. ↑ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
  6. ↑ J. K. Rowling's official site
  7. ↑ (see this image)
Study of Ancient Runes
Ancient Runes Made Easy
Professors: Bathsheda Babbling · Clodagh Dromgoole · Elspeth MacGillony
Textbooks: Advanced Rune Translation · Ancient Runes Made Easy · Magical Hieroglyphs and Logograms · Rune Dictionary · Spellman's Syllabary
Known runes: Acromantula · Demiguise · Ehwaz · Eihwaz · Fwooper · Graphorn · Hydra · Quintaped · Runespoor · Salamander · Unicorn · Unknown · Mark of Merlin
Care of Magical Creatures
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Care of Magical Creatures at Hogwarts
Hagrid's Hut · Forbidden Forest · Care of Magical Creatures Classroom · Magical Creatures (club) · The Paddock
Professors Silvanus Kettleburn · Rubeus Hagrid · Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank (substitute teacher)
Textbooks The Monster Book of Monsters · Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Creatures studied at Hogwarts
Blast-Ended Skrewt · Bowtruckle · Chimaera · Crup · Demiguise · Diricawl · Doxy · Dugbog · Fairy · Fire Crab · Fire Dwelling Salamander · Flobberworm · Fwooper · Glumbumble · Gnome · Golden Snidget · Griffin · Hippogriff · Imp · Jackalope · Knarl · Kneazle · Moke · Murtlap · Niffler · Occamy · Porlock · Quintaped · Streeler · Thestral · Unicorn · Yeti
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XXXX Centaur · Demiguise · Erkling · Erumpent · Golden Snidget · Graphorn · Griffin · Hidebehind · Kappa · Kelpie · Merperson · Occamy · Phoenix · Re'em · Runespoor · Snallygaster · Sphinx · Tebo · Thestral · Thunderbird · Troll · Unicorn · Winged horse · Yeti
XXXXX Acromantula · Basilisk · Chimaera · Dragon · Horned Serpent · Lethifold · Manticore · Nundu · Quintaped · Wampus cat · Werewolf
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