National Unicorn Day

National Unicorn Day History

National Unicorn Day honours the mythical creatures which symbolize beauty, magic and dreams, known as Unicorns! The day is dedicated to acknowledging their cultural impact and their significant role in various mythologies and folklore. From being an emblem of purity and grace to serving as mascots for fantasy literature and children's toys, unicorns have permeated many aspects of popular culture worldwide.

The roots of National Unicorn Day are somewhat nebulous due to the mythical nature of the animal it celebrates. Nevertheless, this hasn't stopped its popularity from growing over the years, particularly in Western cultures, including Canada. For Canadians, National Unicorn Day serves as an opportunity to celebrate imagination, creativity, and the joy of childhood nostalgia. Notably, in Canada, the unicorn has its unique significance as it appears on the official coat of arms given by King George V in 1921. The unicorn, representing Scotland, stands alongside a lion symbolizing England.

Canadians observe National Unicorn Day in a myriad of ways, usually geared towards fun and whimsy, and often involving children. Activities may include crafts, reading unicorn-themed books, baking unicorn-themed desserts, and even dressing up as unicorns. Given the day's inclusive nature, everyone from children to adults can participate and contribute to the festivities. National Unicorn Day is celebrated annually on April 9, inviting Canadians to unleash their creativity and revisit the magic of their childhood dreams for just a day.

Facts about National Unicorn Day

• The word unicorn comes from the Latin word unus, meaning one, and cornu meaning horn.
• It was believed that those who drank from the horn of a unicorn would gain protection from stomach trouble, epilepsy, and poison.
• Canada is home to numerous unique unicorn-themed businesses and events. For example, Forever Fairest, outfits princesses, one of them being the Unicorn Princess, for children's parties in Toronto and the Greater Toronto area. There's also a Unicorn Ball held in Vancouver annually, raising funds for organizations offering social support systems for children.
• In Canadian literature, unicorns have been used as powerful symbols representing purity, majesty, and beauty. They are also prevalent in children’s books and have gained massive popularity due to their mystical and magical characteristics.

In the News and Trending in Canada for National Unicorn Day

Top things to do in Canada for National Unicorn Day

• Visit the National Museum in Warsaw, Poland and view the piece, Master of the Annunciation with Unicorn Polyptych. The altarpiece features a unique depiction of the Annunciation in which Mary is holding a unicorn. The unicorn is believed to represent a symbol of Christ and Mary’s virginity.
• Explore several books about unicorns.
• Host Unicorn Themed Parties: People often throw unicorn-themed parties, with rainbow-colored decorations, unicorn masks, and horn headbands.
• Participate in Local Zoo Events: Sometimes, local zoos or animal farms will have "unicorn" days, where children can ride ponies adorned with unicorn horns.