Unicorn Dipping Its Horn into a Stream [reverse] 1460

This is a Renaissance medal made by Jacopo Lixignolo sometime between 1380 and 1520. It depicts a unicorn dipping its horn into a stream. During the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance, the unicorn was a symbol of purity, grace, and power, often associated with feminine virtues. The act of dipping its horn into the water was believed to purify the stream, making it safe for other creatures to drink. This image can be seen as a metaphor for the cleansing and healing powers attributed to women, aligning with the era's complex views on femininity. The presence of the sun further emphasizes themes of illumination and transformation. Consider the cultural context: this medal would have been a personal object, perhaps carried or displayed to signal the owner’s values or status. It invites us to reflect on how societies use symbols to encode ideas about gender and morality.