Categories: About Unicorns

Can Unicorns Fly?

This seems like an odd question, becauseĀ unicorns arenā€™t usually winged creatures, so why should they be able to fly?

Traditionally, unicorns could not fly. They were magical creatures, but they were still bound by the laws of gravity as any other non-winged animal, mythical or otherwise. But can unicorns fly these days? Todayā€™sĀ unicorns are often shown to have the power of flight, even without wings.

Itā€™s obvious why unicorns seem like they should be able to fly. They are soĀ mysticalĀ and wonderful, and they are said toĀ transcend boundaries, so it seems the ability to take to the air is not a big step. Have you ever seen a unicorn gliding around up there?

Can Unicorns Fly? Or do they just walk? Run Perhaps. Seems that all answers can be true.

The Traditional Unicorn ā€“ Can it Fly?

Wherever you look in historical documents about unicorns, you will find very few mentions of them being capable of flight.Ā UnicornsRuleĀ tells us that several ancient legends said stealing a unicorn horn would grant the power of flight. Still there arenā€™t many references to unicorns themselves flying. This might seem a bit backward, butĀ theĀ traditional unicorn could not fly.

Unicorns wereĀ extremely swift, and perhaps the idea of flight was outstripped by the idea that they could transcend boundaries. They did not need to take to the air, because they could move so fast and overcome any obstacles they faced. TheĀ need for unicorns to fly wasnā€™t strong, because they hadĀ so many other abilities. Read more aboutĀ unicorn powers

There is a possibility that traditional unicorn used to look like the rhino, they might have just been too heavy for wings!

Unicorn chubby one-horned ancestors were too heavy to fly?

Because the original unicorn was probably more closely modeled on a rhino or an ox than a horse, perhaps it was felt by its creators that it would be too heavy for flight. Wings might have looked out of place on such aĀ bulky creature, and would have raised questions about how they could possibly lift its weight. As the image shifted more towards the graceful white horse we recognize today, wings were not addedĀ simply because they never had been.

The focus of unicorns tended to be on theirĀ purity and beauty, not on their ability to perform amazing feats. All other magical tendencies associated with unicorns, such as healing and speed, reflect their elusive and beautiful nature. Flying did not add to these ideas, so it wasnā€™t integral to the mythological image of the unicorn.

What is a Unicorn that Can Fly Called? They are Pegacorns, Unicus, and Alicorns.

Pegasus

A PegasusĀ is often put into a separate category to unicorns. Itā€™s seen as aĀ mythical creature in its own right. AsĀ UnicornsUnifiedĀ mentions, it originated from Ancient Greek myths, where it appeared as a magnificentĀ horse with wings, but no horn. Its entire focus was onĀ flight

, and it lacked many of the other connotations which unicorns had, such as healing magic and innocence.

The connection between these gorgeous flying horses and the beauty of unicorns is obviously strong.Ā Pegasi may not be unicorns themselves, but they can still breed with them.

Other Winged Unicorns

A foal born to a unicorn and a Pegasus is called anĀ Alicorn, aĀ Pegacorn, or aĀ Unicus. These take on theĀ best characteristics of both parents. They have gleaming, powerfulĀ hornsĀ in the center of their foreheads, but they also have magnificentĀ wingsĀ that allow them to swoop off into the air. Despite the fact that traditional unicorns cannot fly, these amazing hybrids have been recognized for more than 2500 years.

Pegasi may not be unicorns themselves, but they can still breed with them. Photo by Mysticsartdesign on Pixabay

If youā€™ve ever seen aĀ unicorn with wings, chances are youā€™ve actually spotted one of these hybrids. As babies, their wings are small and stubby, and not very useful for sustained flight, but as they grow and mature, their wings form into glistening, powerful appendages that can easily lift the creatureā€™s weight.

In case you are interested aboutĀ unicorns with wings, we have an article about it.

Nowadays: Unicorns Flying Without Wings

Today, things have changed a bit. It seems that the idea of flight is no longer dependent on having actual wings, and this has freed unicorns from the limitations gravity imposed on them in the past.Ā Many unicorns inĀ books

,Ā movies, pictures, and paintings today can fly without needing the wings to do it.

Itā€™s hard to guess why this has changed. It may be that theĀ magic of the unicornā€™s hornĀ has been so emphasized that it allows them to do almost anything. Itā€™s possible that we have got more interested inĀ flightĀ as our own technology has developed to allow it. Perhaps the invention of gliders and planes have encouraged us to move away from the idea of flapping wings.

Todayā€™s unicorns are able toĀ glide simply because their magic is powerful.Ā UnicornsRuleĀ suggests that this started toĀ change around the 1970s, perhaps in an attempt to refresh the image of the unicorn and make it more enticing and interesting. Sometimes, itā€™s unclear exactly what mythological creature is being depicted; they are simply shown as magical.

Unicorns Are Evolving

In pop culture, many unicorns can fly without wings; they seem to have become an unnecessary addition, more for aesthetic than anything else. For example,Ā My Little PonyĀ has equines both with and without wings, and yet both are capable of flight. Perhaps the winged ones have taught their non-winged friends a secret or two so they can enjoy their games without an unfair advantage!

Unicorns can fly without wings

It makes sense that unicorns, with their amazing powers, are able to take to the air.Ā Traditional unicorns may not have had this ability, butĀ unicorns are constantly adaptingĀ and evolving alongside people. Their association with freedom naturally leads to the idea that they should be able to fly.

Perhaps the newfound power of unicorns also owes a lot to theĀ internet. The internet is constantlyĀ pushing boundariesĀ and experimenting with new ideas, so to give a unicorn the power of flight does not seem much of a stretch. With all the amazing, imaginative people in the world, itā€™s unsurprising that the unicorn is changing and growing alongside peopleā€™s imaginations.

You Can Always Consider Yourself

As unicorns share such a magic, it is up to you to decide, can unicorns actually fly. We have picked our favorite items to show you the best of it.

Inspiring story

Even Unicorns Need to Learn How to Fly

Inspired lesson about Health, Wealth and Relationships

Inspiring story suitable for all ages.

Kites: outdoor games for kids and adults

Kites are such a fun way to make the unicorns fly. There are several cool kites with the unicorn design, for example thisĀ unicorn kite with wings.

Have you ever seen a horned Pegasus, or a winged unicorn? Would you know the difference between the two?

Skyrocketing Birthdays

Unicorns are magical way for spending the birthday. ThisĀ amazing unicorn cake topperĀ has wings and therefore symbolize adventurous and great next year coming. Is perfect for big and small unicorn fans.

Mr. Unicorn

View Comments

Recent Posts

Unicorn in Different Languages

Did you know that unicorns have different names in languages from around the world? Here's…

1 year ago

Cute Unicorn Pictures

Unicorns are truly magical creatures; they have the power to cheer you up, no matter…

1 year ago

Are Unicorns Real?

There is an age-old question: "Are unicorns real, or do they only exist in stories…

1 year ago

Magical Unicorn Names for Boys and Girls

Are you searching for great unicorn names for your writing, like a fantasy novel? Or…

1 year ago

Siberian Unicorn: Myth or Reality?

The Siberian unicorn, technically known as Elasmotherium sibiricum, is an extinct rhinoceros that once roamed…

1 year ago

Unicorn Memes

Unicorns have been around for what seems to be like ages now. And for a…

1 year ago