Chinese Unicorn
/ˌtʃaɪˈniːz ˈjuː.nɪ.kɔːrn/noun
A Western descriptive name for the qilin, a legendary Chinese creature traditionally associated with virtue, prosperity, and auspicious rule.
Did you know?The qilin was often depicted with dragon-like features, scales, and sometimes multiple horns, so calling it a “unicorn” is a Western approximation rather than a literal translation.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ḱer-
“Horn; a pointed or projecting structure”
Ancient Greek
Greek
kéras
“Horn”
Classical Latin
Latin
ūnus cornu
“One horn”
Ancient China
Chinese
qílín 麒麟
“A benevolent legendary creature associated with auspicious signs and righteous rulers”
12th–14th Century
Old French / Middle English
unicorne / unicorne
“A fabulous animal with a single horn”
Modern English
English
Chinese unicorn
“A Western label applied to the Chinese qilin”
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