Mythical Creatures Unique Gifts

Legendary and mythical creatures have always captured our imaginations. The idea that unicorns, dragons, and faeries once existed (or still do) is exciting and fascinating. Whether you believe in them or not, you have to admit that they're incredible creatures. If you're looking for a unique mythical creature gift, you're sure to find something on this page. Along the way, find out more about the legendary creatures of the world.

Image belongs to author.

The unicorn is the favorite mythical creature of many young girls. Depicted as a white horse with a long horn on it's forehead, it is the epitome of grace and beauty. There are records of them in civilizations around the world, although like all mythical creatures there has never been proof of their existence. That doesn't stop many people from believing in them. Unicorns are known to be very skilled at keeping hidden. Some legends say that they can only be seen by those who truly believe--non believers simply see a white horse. A unicorn's horn has the power to heal the sick and, in some cases, is supposed to be able to bring the dead back to life.

Over time, unicorns have been described as similar to many animals. The generally accepted version is that they look like a horse with a spiraled horn on the forehead. However, descriptions also exist in which unicorns are described as goats, donkeys, and rhinoceroses. Unicorn horns have even been sold over time, mainly in the middle ages. Of course, these "horns" were really the horns or tusks of other animals. Full horns were usually the horns of narwhals, a type of whale. Unicorn horn powder was usually made out of narwhal horns, rhino horns, or various types of tusks. These powders and horns were sold as cures for many diseases.

The gryphon (also spelled griffin and griffon) is an ancient mythical creature that has the body, tail, and back legs of a lion and the head, wings, and front feet (and talons) of an eagle. Because both the lion and the eagle are such powerful and esteemed creatures, the gryphon is believed to be especially powerful. They are believed to have guarded precious treasures and to be associated with divine creatures.

Like the unicorn's horn, a gryphon's talon was supposed to have healing properties. It's feathers could heal those who were sick and possibly could allow the blind to see again. Gryphons were well respected by the Christian Church because they were said to mate for life. Even if one partner died, the remaining gryphon would continue on alone rather than seeking out a new mate.

The gryphon is one of my favorite mythical creatures because it is the mascot of my alma mater, The University of Guelph. 2014 marked the school's 50th year and as part of the celebrations, a massive statue of the gryphon was placed at the entrance to the school. In it's first day, it has been a highly popular place for pictures as alumni gather to celebrate their school.

The phoenix is a mythical bird associated with fire and the sun. It is said to ignite in fire, die, and then be reborn from the ashes. The phoenix is a common symbol of rebirth, rejuvenation, and resurrection. Although often adopted by the Christian church because of it's nature of resurrection, the phoenix's origins likely stem from either Greece or Ancient Egypt. The bird is often associated with the color purple but is usually depicted as red and orange, probably because of its ties with fire and the sun. There is no clear consensus on just what the mythical phoenix looks like.