Unicorns
The unicorn is looked at as a symbol of good and innocense. It was once thought that the unicorn would only show itself and be tamed by the innocent virgin maiden. The unicorn is mentioned many times in the Holy Bible, and many famous people such as, Pliny the Elder, Aelian, Aristotle, and Julius Ceasar have mentioned the magical animal.
According to Western Tradition, the first animal given a name by Adam and Eve was the unicorn. It is said that then God gave it a special blessing and touched it on the tip of it's horn. When Adam and Eve were banished from the garden, God gave the unicorn the choice to stay in paradise or follow them into the cruel world. The unicorn chose to follow Adam and even and was blessed forever for his compassion and love for human kind.
In Eastern Tradition, the universe was an egg which cracked and spread chaos. From this chaos the first man created the universe with the help of four animals; The Dragon, Phoenix, Tortois, and Unicorn. When the tast finished, the man died and his body became the earth. Each animal then chose it's territory. The dragon chose the waters. The tortois the swamps, the phoenix chose dry land, and the unicorn chose the forests. The unicorn rarely shows himself and only on two special occations: when the ruler is kind and just, and when the times are full of peace and prosperity. The unicorn is said to appear to the mother of Confucius before he was born. In Japan the unicorn has the look of a lion and the ability to tell right from wrong, and innocense from guilt. In India, the unicorn was said to also appear before Buddah's mother before she gave birth to him.
Gryffin
The Gryphon is a major part in midieval legend. The gryphon was a creature with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion. The actual significance of the gryphon is obscure, but it is believed that this creature was a protective symbol, representing strength and viligance. You can see the gryphon drawn into many coat of arms and shields.
Faeries
A fairy was typically thought of as a small, human-like being with wings. Fairies were supernatural beings endowed with the powers of magic and enchantment. Belief in fairies has existed from the earliest times. Books and writings from all over the world have tales of faries and their relationship with humans. It is the belief of some Christians that faries were ancestors of the ancient Pagan gods and were hostile because they were replaced by newer deities. Others thought that fairies are nature dieties. Often, Fairies have been considered souls of the dead (particularly the unbaptized or fallen angels) Fairies have varied looks. Some believe them to be very beautiful, and others consider them to look like old men or women. Legend states that Faries lived in their own hidden kingdom in an enchanted part of the forest, usually ruled by a Fairy King and Queen. In a lot of Christian legends, fairies were considered evil and demonic. I personally do not see them that way. Fairies, to me, are pure and enchanted creatures who are loving and care about nature and the forest. Fairies are used widely now in Neo-Pagan practices and beliefs. There is even a patheon of the wiccan religion where they call themselves, Faerie Wiccans. If someone who follows this path would like to give me information on the Faerie's role in Wiccan beliefs please feel free.
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