Unicorn vs. Pegasus — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on June 26, 2024
A unicorn is a mythical horse-like creature with a single spiral horn on its forehead, while Pegasus is a winged horse from Greek mythology.
Difference Between Unicorn and Pegasus
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Unicorns and Pegasus are both legendary equine creatures, captivating human imagination for centuries. The unicorn, often portrayed as a graceful, white horse-like being, has a distinct single spiral horn projecting from its forehead. Pegasus, meanwhile, is frequently depicted as a magnificent horse with large, feathered wings that enable it to fly.
The mythology surrounding unicorns is vast, with tales from various cultures. In many stories, the unicorn's horn is said to have magical properties, such as healing powers or the ability to purify water. Pegasus, rooted in Greek mythology, is best known for being the offspring of the sea god Poseidon and the Gorgon Medusa, and has played a crucial role in several mythological tales, often linked to heroic deeds and adventures.
Symbolically, unicorns have often been associated with purity, innocence, and enchantment. This imagery has made them a popular motif in art, literature, and even modern pop culture. On the contrary, Pegasus represents inspiration, flight, and freedom. His connection with the Muses in Greek mythology solidified his status as a symbol for poetic inspiration.
Both the unicorn and Pegasus have persisted in modern narratives, often adapted or reimagined. While unicorns have found their place in fantasy novels, children's stories, and merchandise, Pegasus continues to be a figure representing freedom and the limitless sky. Whether grounded or airborne, these equine myths continue to enchant audiences worldwide.
Comparison Chart
Physical Feature
Single spiral horn on its forehead
Feathered wings
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Origin
Various mythologies across cultures
Greek mythology
Symbolic Meaning
Purity, innocence, enchantment
Inspiration, flight, freedom
Legendary Abilities
Horn with magical properties like healing
Ability to fly
Associated Tales
Various folklore regarding its elusive nature and magical horn
Connection with Greek heroes and Muses
Compare with Definitions
Unicorn
A mythical horse with a single horn on its forehead.
The children marveled at the sight of the unicorn in the storybook.
Pegasus
Represents limitless sky and flight.
Artists often depict Pegasus soaring above clouds.
Unicorn
The unicorn is a legendary creature that has been described since antiquity as a beast with a single large, pointed, spiraling horn projecting from its forehead. The unicorn was mentioned by the ancient Greeks in accounts of natural history by various writers, including Ctesias, Strabo, Pliny the Younger, Aelian and Cosmas Indicopleustes.
Pegasus
A winged horse from Greek mythology.
The hero rode Pegasus to reach the mountaintop.
Unicorn
A fabled creature symbolic of virginity and usually represented as a horse with a single straight spiral horn projecting from its forehead.
Pegasus
Offspring of Poseidon and Medusa.
The origin of Pegasus is intertwined with gods and monsters.
Unicorn
(Heraldry) A representation of this beast, having a horse's body, a stag's legs, a lion's tail, and a straight spiral horn growing from its forehead, especially employed as a supporter for the Royal Arms of Great Britain or of Scotland.
Pegasus
Symbol of poetic inspiration and freedom.
The poet invoked Pegasus before commencing his verse.
Unicorn
Unicorn The constellation Monoceros.
Pegasus
Associated with heroes and Muses in Greek tales.
Pegasus aided Bellerophon in his quest against the Chimera.
Unicorn
Something that is greatly desired but difficult or impossible to find
“Is antigravity the unicorn of physics? Or do we simply lack the strategy and bait to catch it in an experimental snare?” (Jerome Groopman).
Pegasus
Pegasus (Greek: Πήγασος, Pḗgasos; Latin: Pegasus, Pegasos) is a mythical winged divine horse, and one of the most recognized creatures in Greek mythology. Usually depicted as pure white, Pegasus is the offspring of the Olympian god Poseidon.
Unicorn
(Business) A startup company valued at one billion dollars or more.
Pegasus
Greek Mythology A winged horse that with a stroke of his hoof caused the fountain Hippocrene to spring forth from Mount Helicon.
Unicorn
A mythical beast resembling a horse or deer with a single, straight, spiraled horn projecting from its forehead.
Pegasus
A constellation in the Northern Hemisphere near Aquarius and Andromeda.
Unicorn
(historical) In various Bible translations, used to render the Latin rhinoceros (representing Hebrew ):}} a reem or wild ox.
Pegasus
A winged horse (imaginary or mythical, sometimes figurative).
Unicorn
Any large beetle having a horn-like prominence on the head or prothorax, especially the Hercules beetle, Dynastes tityus.
Pegasus
A winged horse fabled to have sprung from the body of Medusa when she was slain. He is noted for causing, with a blow of his hoof, Hippocrene, the inspiring fountain of the Muses, to spring from Mount Helicon. On this account he is, in modern times, associated with the Muses, and with ideas of poetic inspiration.
Each spurs his jaded Pegasus apace.
Unicorn
A caterpillar, Schizura unicornis, with a large thorn-like spine on the back near its head.
Pegasus
A northen constellation near the vernal equinoctial point. Its three brightest stars, with the brightest star of Andromeda, form the square of Pegasus.
Unicorn
The kamichi, or unicorn bird.
Pegasus
A genus of small fishes, having large pectoral fins, and the body covered with hard, bony plates. Several species are known from the East Indies and China.
Unicorn
(military) A howitzer.
Pegasus
(Greek mythology) immortal winged horse that sprang from the blood of the slain Medusa; was tamed by Bellerophon with the help of a bridle given him by Athena; as the flying horse of the Muses it is a symbol of high-flying imagination
Unicorn
Someone or something that is rare and hard to find.
Pegasus
A constellation in the northern hemisphere near Andromeda and Pisces
Unicorn
(business) A person with multidisciplinary expertise, especially three or more skills in a young field such as UX design or data science (e.g., domain knowledge, statistics, and software engineering).
Purple squirrel
Unicorn
(finance) A startup company whose valuation has exceeded one billion U.S. dollars, which is solely backed by venture capitalists, and which has yet to have an IPO.
Unicorn
(attributive) Being many (especially pastel) colours; multicoloured.
Unicorn smoothies
Unicorn
(historical) A 15th-century Scottish gold coin worth 18 shillings, bearing the image of a unicorn.
Unicorn
(finance) To exceed a valuation of one billion U.S. dollars, while solely backed by venture capitalists.
Unicorn
Having one horn.
Unicorn
A fabulous animal with one horn; the monoceros; - often represented in heraldry as a supporter.
Unicorn
A two-horned animal of some unknown kind, so called in the Authorized Version of the Scriptures.
Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow?
Unicorn
Any large beetle having a hornlike prominence on the head or prothorax.
Unicorn
The kamichi; - called also unicorn bird.
Unicorn
A howitzer.
Unicorn
An imaginary creature represented as a white horse with a long horn growing from its forehead
Unicorn
Symbol of purity and innocence.
She wore a unicorn pendant as a charm for protection.
Unicorn
A legendary creature with potential magical abilities.
Legend says the unicorn's horn can heal the sick.
Unicorn
Often depicted as white or radiant in color.
The unicorn's shimmering mane reflected the moonlight.
Unicorn
A term in business denoting a startup valued at over $1 billion.
The tech company became the latest unicorn after its recent funding.
Common Curiosities
Can unicorns heal with their horns?
Legends suggest a unicorn's horn has healing and purifying properties.
Are unicorns and Pegasus the same?
No, a unicorn has a horn while Pegasus has wings.
How did Pegasus come into existence?
Pegasus was born from the blood of Medusa when she was beheaded by Perseus.
What do unicorns symbolize in business?
In business, a "unicorn" is a startup valued at over $1 billion.
Do unicorns fly?
Traditionally, unicorns do not fly; it's Pegasus that has wings for flight.
Did Pegasus exist in other mythologies beyond Greek?
While Pegasus is primarily a Greek mythological creature, winged horses appear in various cultures.
Is the unicorn a symbol of good luck?
Unicorns are often associated with purity, innocence, and sometimes luck.
Where does the Pegasus myth originate?
Pegasus originates from Greek mythology.
Where can I read about Pegasus' adventures?
Ancient Greek literature, such as tales of Bellerophon, features Pegasus' adventures.
How are unicorns depicted in color?
Unicorns are often shown as white, but depictions vary.
Did Pegasus serve any of the Greek gods?
Pegasus served Zeus, carrying his lightning bolts.
Which creature is more popular in modern times, unicorns or Pegasus?
Both remain popular, but unicorns may have a broader appeal in current pop culture.
Can unicorns grant wishes?
Folklore varies, but some tales suggest unicorns have magical abilities, including wish-granting.
Was Pegasus ever tamed in myths?
Yes, Bellerophon tamed Pegasus with a golden bridle.
Are there modern representations of unicorns?
Yes, unicorns are prevalent in modern pop culture, including movies and literature.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
