The aim of this study is to explore changes in the archetypal image of the mythical unicorn: it examines the representations of the unicorn in medieval heraldry and in late Gothic tapestry; it analyzes how the medieval image-texts were taken and give...
The aim of this study is to explore changes in the archetypal image of the mythical unicorn: it examines the representations of the unicorn in medieval heraldry and in late Gothic tapestry; it analyzes how the medieval image-texts were taken and given new meanings in 20th Century literature.
In the Middle Ages the unicorn symbolized purity and the healing power of Christ. At the same time it was a symbol of chivalry and courtly culture. 'The Lady and the Unicorn (La Dame à la Licorne)' at the Musée National du Moyen Âge in Paris, which is a six-part tapestry, is a prime example of millefleurs decor from the 15th Century. The first five parts allegorically represent five human senses and the sixth is titled "A Mon Seul Desire (My only wish)". The artwork from the late Middle Ages, whose theme is secular love, has cultural significance. The work fascinated a 20th Century German poet, Rainer Maria Rilke. The unicorn motif is very important in his poetry. Rilke's Tapestry description is not merely a representation, but also a artistic creation in language. A contemporary American author Tracy Chevalier wrote a historical novel about the unicorn tapestries. In the novel the unicorn stands as a symbol of desire.
The mythical animal, the unicorn, has provided impetus for creation of