• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Enclave Publishing

Header Right

  • Home
  • About
  • Articles
  • Our Books
    • Coming Soon
    • Enclave Authors
  • For Writers
    • Publish With Enclave
    • Books on Writing
  • For Readers
  • Contact
  • Search

Mobile Menu

  • Home
  • About
  • Articles
  • Our Books
    • Coming Soon
    • Enclave Authors
  • For Writers
    • Publish With Enclave
    • Books on Writing
  • For Readers
  • Contact
  • Search

Mythological Creatures: Unicorn & Pegasus

By: Nadine Brandes In: Author Commentary

Every woman in fantasy wants a unicorn. It’s like girls and horses…just add a horn and a fantasy world.

Guys usually want a dragon.

But, to remain well-rounded and up to speed on fantasy creatures, today we’ll take a deeper look at the difference between a unicorn and a pegasus.

 

Unicorn

Unicorns were once considered real. They have their own versions in different cultures — the Greek unicorn, the Chinese unicorn (called Ch’i lin), the Japanese unicorn (Kirin or Sin-you), and Vietnamese unicorn lore.

unicorn-pegasus-enclaveDespite the many times we see a white stallion with a horn in a movie or book, the original depiction of the unicorn (in Greek mythology) was a white, red, and black horse with a goat beard and a boar’s tail. Sometimes it even had the head of a stag. Chinese and Japanese folklore bring even more versatile descriptions to the creature — the body of an antelope or having a lion’s mane. One thing is consistent, though — the unicorns were known for being a great display of color. Whether it came from reflections, their horn, or their hair/fur….stunning colors are a trait.

The symbolism for unicorns rose up later. Here are some interesting characteristics:

  • Unicorns can be captured only by a maiden
  • It walks so softly, its hooves make no sound (Chinese unicorn lore)
  • Their horns have magical healing qualities
  • The Sin-you unicorn can distinguish right from wrong, helping judge offenses. (Japanese unicorn lore)
  • Unicorns symbolize prosperity and peace

Books with unicorns in them:

  • Of the Persecuted, by Angie Brashear (Callie is a war unicorn. She’s so cool!)
  • The Chronicles of Narnia, by C. S. Lewis (Jewel was also a warrior unicorn, King Peter’s steed)
  • The Harry Potter Series, by J. K. Rowling

 

Pegasus

Pegasus isn’t a type of creature, it’s actually the name of the winged white stallion from Greek mythology. Pegasus was born from Poseidon (horse lord) and Medusa (freaky lady with snake hair.) While Pegasus is one specific creature, his name has often been used as a defining term for winged horses in general.

Personally, I’m not bothered by changed uses of mythological creatures. They’ve sprung from myth in the first place so why can’t we add to or change the lore up a bit in modern day. 😉

Defining characteristics of the pegasus:

  • It’s a horse that can fly (duh), so it has massive wings
  • Pure white in color
  • A symbol of wisdom and fame
  • In Greek mythology, his role was to bring thunderbolts to Zeus.

Books with pegasi in them:

  • Percy Jackson Series, by Rick Riordan

 

 

Okay, time to take a vote: unicorn or pegasus?

What are some books that you’ve liked that present the unicorn or pegasus well?

 

About Nadine Brandes

Nadine Brandes is an adventurer, fusing authentic faith with bold imagination. She writes stories about brave living, finding purpose, and other worlds soaked in imagination.
Nadine lives in Idaho, working as a freelance editor and full-time author. Her debut novel, A Time to Die, is the first in her dystopian trilogy and will be published through Enclave Publishing.

Posts by Nadine Brandes
« Previous
Next »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rebekah Gyger

    April 22, 2015 at 9:58 am

    I like that you remembered that the Pegasus is pure white. It drives me nuts hows many people depict him as black. He is also only ride-able by a courageous hero and is the father of all winged horses (of which there are few).

  2. Clare

    February 2, 2016 at 5:16 pm

    UNICORN every time, because I love them and my Epic fantasy I am writing is about them.

  3. Sarah

    February 2, 2016 at 6:36 pm

    Uh, sorry to knock you off your unicorn, but Jewel was King Tirian’s friend in the last days of Narnia, thousands of years after the Golden Age when King Peter reigned.

  4. Michele Fritchie

    February 3, 2016 at 11:14 am

    Though not a Christian work, the book–and later movie–“The Last Unicorn” was amazing. I’ve read the book–may or may not still have it–and have seen the movie. Both are well done.

  5. Ava P.

    March 8, 2016 at 8:51 pm

    Okay, this is really good, and UNICORNS RULE, but, Poseidon is the Greek god of the seas and earthquakes, not just the “horse lord”. And Medusa is not just a “freaky lady with snake hair”. She was cursed by Athena, because she kissed Poseidon in Athena’s temple, and she was VERY mad about this, so she turned Medusa’s hair to snakes. But other than that, This is SOO good! I really like to. Sorry if I seemed rude, I am a Greek mythology freak.

  6. Michelllllleeeee

    May 8, 2017 at 8:20 am

    Pegasus! I choose pegasus for my vote and Percy Jackson is a book with the Pegasus in it.

  7. Lauren

    May 10, 2017 at 1:50 pm

    I think that Pegasus is the most important because they take a good place in history!! But I love both unicorn and Pegasus !!

  8. Laurennnn

    May 10, 2017 at 1:53 pm

    Plus unicorns don’t have wings only a horn that is it’s only cool feature but the Pegasus has wings and collects lighting bolts for the great lord Zues !!!

  9. bot4

    October 3, 2017 at 10:52 am

    guys like unicorns not dragons

  10. Someone in the world.

    November 1, 2017 at 2:28 pm

    This was a SUPER helpful website. I vote Pegasus! But don’t get me wrong…Unicorns are pretty lit.

  11. Jane

    February 25, 2018 at 9:12 am

    Unicorns all the way for me and I’ve loved them all my life so really happy that they are currently the ‘in’ thing so there’s lots of unicorn stuff available.
    However, when did Pegasus mate with a Unicorn?
    The reason I’m asking is there are too many Unicorns depicted with wings
    Unicorns do not have wings!!

  12. OlympusDaughter

    March 19, 2018 at 11:25 am

    Medusa and Poseidon were doing much worse in the temple

  13. Micheal

    July 30, 2018 at 5:13 am

    Hi!

    I really like the unicorn facts thanks for sharing..

    unicorn facts

  14. Micheal Ridgeley

    October 15, 2018 at 1:25 pm

    I am more interested in information about unicorns. They sound for real and beautiful.

  15. srfchaplin@outlook.com

    May 27, 2019 at 11:50 pm

    Also there was the entire Adept series by Piers Anthony that involved Unicorns as a major character.

  16. Unicorn Lover

    July 11, 2019 at 6:49 pm

    Unicorns rule! I only wish I could have one in my garden 🙂

  17. Zarah

    March 18, 2020 at 10:39 am

    Unicorn

  18. Sarah

    March 18, 2020 at 10:40 am

    Rude zarah get off this place

  19. Miracle

    October 17, 2020 at 7:01 pm

    Unicorn are also mentioned in the Bible,

  20. Unknown

    January 27, 2021 at 4:43 pm

    There is a book named Pegusus

  21. Mariamawit Tesfay

    June 21, 2022 at 2:25 pm

    Unicorns are my favorite, Who wants to join the unicorn club.

  22. Horse Queen

    March 6, 2023 at 11:51 am

    I choose both because a unicorn is magic but you can fly when you are on a Pegasus

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Site Footer

Where Worlds Come To Life!

Enclave Publishing is built around the power of great stories which explore the boundaries of the imagination, while championing powerful expressions of Redemption, Truth, and Hope. We are a division of Oasis Family Media.

Are You Ready To Engage?

Our stories can seem strange to the uninitiated but they contain words...no, they contain worlds that have never been seen before and, in some cases, confront creatures of mysterious origins. Buckle up and hold on because we want to tell you a story.

About Enclave Contact Us

Enclave Books

Genres

  • Fantasy
  • First Book in Series
  • Science Fiction
    • Dystopia
    • Military Science Fiction
    • Space Opera
  • Steampunk
  • Supernatural
  • YA

Other

  • Coming Soon
  • Enclave Authors

Readers & Writers

Resources

  • Articles
  • Books on Writing
  • For Readers

Other

  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2023   ·   Enclave Publishing   ·   All Rights Reserved.
Website by Stormhill Media
Log in