History
There are two sets of tapestries that describe the medieval unicorn. "The Hunt for the Unicorn" set is housed at the Cloisters branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. "The Lady and the Unicorn" set is at the Musee de Cluny in Paris. The medieval unicorn has the most mysticism surrounding it; power, healing and kindness are a few characteristics that develop in this period.
--c. 1500
The most famous unicorn from medieval history is from the seven Unicorn Tapestries. These tapestries describe "The Hunt for the Unicorn" and its related abilities. Click on the underlined text to see the picture.
Tapestry 1 - "The Start of the Hunt"
The men and their hunting dogs begin to comb the forest for the object of their search.
Tapestry 2 - "The Unicorn Dips its Horn"
Here the hunters find the unicorn dipping its horn into a fountain of water. Forest animals wait nearby for the purified water. Legend says that poisoned water can be cleansed if the unicorn dips its horn in the water.
Tapestry 3 - "Unicorn Leaps the Stream"
After waiting for the unicorn to purify the water, the hunters chase the unicorn through the forest and stream.
Tapestry 4 - "Unicorn Defends Himself"
The unicorn is very strong and swift. He injures one of the hunting dogs.
Tapestry 5 - "The Maiden Tames the Unicorn"
Only a beautiful maiden can tame a unicorn. It will come to admire her beauty and lay its head in her lap. The unicorn will not move, and then the hunters can capture it.
Tapestry 6 - "The Unicorn is Brought to the Castle"
Each hunter stabs at the unicorn with their spears and brings it to the castle. The owners of the castle recieve the unicorn as a gift.
Tapestry 7 - "The Unicorn in Captivity"
Here the unicorn is resurected and ties to a pomegranate tree. The red on the back of the unicorn appears as blood, but it is the seeds from the above pomegranates.
--c. 1500
The second set of unicorn tapestries describe the six senses: hearing, sight, touch, smell, taste and love. These tapestries reinforce the characteristic that the unicorn admires beauty. Click on the underlined text to see the picture.
Tapestry 1 - "L'Ouie" - Hearing
The unicorn holds the banner as it listens to the harp.
Tapestry 2 - "La Vue" - Sight
Here the unicorn rests on the maiden's lap as it admires itself in the hand mirror.
Tapestry 3 - "Le Toucher" - Touch
The unicorn wears a shield and the Lady touches its horn. Since the horn is a valued symbol, the Lady holding it means that the unicorn is under her spell and captive.
Tapestry 4 - "L'Odorat" - Smell
The smell of the fresh baked bread reaches the nose of the unicorn.
Tapestry 5 - "Le Gout" - Taste
Maidens offer some food to the unicorn to taste.
Tapestry 6 - "A Mon Seul Desir" - To My Only Desire - Love
The Lady gives the unicorn a gift of love.
