National Unicorn Day on April 9 is a day to celebrate the most popular mythical creature ever. Why? Because if we don’t take time out to celebrate a beautiful, horned, rainbow–printed mythical creature then we’re most definitely missing a trick. The unicorn is a symbol of happiness, fantasy, and wonder. It’s an icon of color, of childlike splendor and magic. They often make appearances on birthday cakes and children’s clothing, and let’s be honest quite a lot of us adults still dig them too. National Unicorn Day is your chance to express some unicorn love, so show some color and delve into the magnificence of unicorns with us!
When is National Unicorn Day 2025?
We celebrate the myth and magic of unicorns on National Unicorn Day, which takes place on April 9 every year.
History of National Unicorn Day
The unicorn is known as a creature of legend, one with a single large, spiraled and pointy horn which projects from its forehead. They were spotted in early Mesopotamian artwork and were often noted in myths and stories deriving from China, Greece, and India. In Greek mythology writers strongly believed that unicorns were running wild in a faraway distant realm. That distant realm was India and Greek physician Ctesias quoted in his book ‘‘On the Nature of Animals’’ that he believed India produced a one-horned horse. Some argued that he wasn’t seeing a unicorn, but instead was citing the Indian Rhinoceros. In Iran, unicorns were said to be found in Persepolis and the Hebrew Bible describes an animal called the ‘‘re’em’’ which some believe to be the unicorn.
The unicorn has always been depicted as a symbol of grace and purity, with its horn said to hold the power to cleanse poisonous water and to heal sickness. In medieval times, they would sell the tusks of the Narwhal whale and advertise it as a Unicorn horn.
The Celts, Romans, and Persians also described a white magical horse with a single horn. The creature was said to represent strength, grace, and freedom. The unicorn has been a symbol on the Scottish coat of arms since the 12th century. As you can see, unicorns have been present in our culture for a long time, and so the recent introduction of National Unicorn Day in 2015 is a welcome one.
National Unicorn Day timeline
A lion and a unicorn are placed on the British coat of arms symbolizing the joining of the Scottish Unicorn and the English Lion.
A unicorn is first displayed in U.S. circuses. It’s made by fusing goats’ horns after birth.
An application is filed for a patent in the U.S. to surgically grow unicorns.
The first National Unicorn Day is celebrated on April 9.
Traditions
Unicorns have been part of fairytales, myths, cultures, and folklore for centuries. The creature’s mystic charm is popular with both children and adults. Unicorns also symbolize beauty and bring joy wherever they go.
To celebrate this holiday, incorporate that unicorn magic into your day by adding unicorns to your outfit, makeup, hair, and more. The unicorn color scheme is trending, so pastel colors of pink and purple paired with really vivid shades is the way to go.
If you have a child or know a child, they’ll especially love unicorn-themed anything. Unicorn-themed food, and watch parties with movies and cartoon shows featuring unicorns are hosted. There are many popular books on unicorns too that you can read to your little one.
By The Numbers
1 – the number of horns a unicorn has.
6,000 – the estimated number of years that unicorns have been around for.
5 – the number of unicorns that live in a group.
2 – the number of colors unicorns mostly are — white and black.
10,000 pounds – the price Queen Elizabeth I paid to purchase a spiral horn.
National Unicorn Day FAQs
Why is it National Unicorn Day?
April 9 is celebrated as National Unicorn Day because they are mythical creatures steeped in history that are deserving of their celebration.
What is a group of unicorns called?
A group of unicorns is called a blessing.
When is National Unicorn Day?
National Unicorn Day is April 9
National Unicorn Day Activities
Dress up as a unicorn
Unicorn outfits are a fabulous fashion statement and also make for super awesome costumes for kids. Make a cutesy outfit or add a unicorn print with iron-on paper and don a unicorn t-shirt.
Eat unicorn-themed food
Why not try making multicolored pancakes for breakfast, or check out ‘‘lovealbanybread’s’’ Instagram for rainbow unicorn toast recipe. How about trying a rainbow layered cake and a bowl of unicorn noodles? Experiment and go wild!
Visit Scotland
Scotland is the homeland of unicorns as they don the unicorn proudly on their coat of arms. Visit the historic Edinburgh Castle near the National War Monument, or St Margaret’s Chapel and look for carvings and sculptures of unicorns on these historic buildings. If you can’t, read up on the history of unicorns in Scotland online.
5 Facts About Unicorns
He who cannot be named
In ‘‘The Philosopher's Stone’’, Lord Voldemort is made to drink unicorn blood to stay alive.
Gold unicorn at the ball
Ballet star Rainer Krenstetter dressed up as a unicorn at the Life Ball in Vienna, Austria.
United with mother
In Warsaw’s National Museum there’s a statue of the Virgin Mary holding a unicorn on her lap.
Born from words
The word unicorn comes from the Latin word unus, meaning one, and cornu meaning horn.
Piercing lie
Legend says a unicorn may pierce the heart of a liar with its horn.
Why We Love National Unicorn Day
According to legend
The mythical element of unicorns is why we love them so much. As Dr. Seuss said ‘‘sleep resembles the unicorn – it is reputed to exist, yet I doubt I will see any.’’ Unicorns remain special imaginary figures who are powerfully skilled, so we celebrate them to fuel the wonder of them in our imaginations.
They’re everywhere
The sheer way that Unicorns are embedded in our lives shows how important they are to everyone. We watch them on tv, read about them in books and they’re on merchandise everywhere. They’re mythical, yet they have an important place in society, and we love them for it.
We can’t stop looking
The rainbow beauty of unicorns is in fact why we celebrate this day. It’s why we love printing them on our clothes, our bags, our lunch bags, and why we are so fascinated by these creatures. So, dress up and use color on this special day, you can look as great as a unicorn.
National Unicorn Day dates
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2025 | April 9 | Wednesday |
2026 | April 9 | Thursday |
2027 | April 9 | Friday |
2028 | April 9 | Sunday |
2029 | April 9 | Monday |