Many modern
depictions of Unicorns are of
peaceful, shy, gentle horse creatures. For that reason, I think of them as
steeds for fairy princesses. This refined image of the Unicorn is something that I do not relate to. However, learning
about the Karkadan, the Unicorn of Ethiopia, India, and Persia,
changed my point of view about Unicorns
in general. Unlike the seemingly passive European Unicorn, the Karkadan
protects its territory. Well-known for its fierceness, the Karkadan preys on elephants and lions. Moreover, this solidly built
beast shakes the ground as it runs. It tickles me that only the ringdove is
unafraid of the Karkadan. Sitting on
the Karkadan’s back, this bird sings
to it. In return, the beast protects the ringdoves from harm. I think of this
as gratitude for beauty and grace that the ringdove brings to the Karkadan.
“Wikipedia” reports that that the Iraqis have a tradition called the
“tears of the Karkadann.” According to this myth, the Karkadan wanders in the desert looking for water. When “he” does
find it, “he weeps out of fatigue and thirst-pain.” “His” tears, as they fall
into the water, become beads, which are then used for prayer beads. After
learning about this tradition of the Karkadan,
I have come to regard this beast as ancient, fierce, and wise.
 |
| What Karkadan looked like |
Works
Used:
Allan, Tony, “The Mythic Bestiary,” Duncan Baird: London, 2008.
---, “Karkadann,”, Wikipedia, 13 May, 2013, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karkadann.
Nigg, Joseph, “The Book of Dragons and Other Mythical Beasts,” Quarto: London, 2002.
---, “Persian Unicorns,” Unicorn Dreams, http://lair2000.net/Unicorn_Dreams/Types_of_Unicorns/Persian/karkadann.html.
Zell-Ravenheart, Oberon
and Ash DeKirk, “A Wizard’s Bestiary,”
New Page Press: Franklin Lakes, NJ, 2007.
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