"unicorn horn" was gifted to Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand I in the 16th century as an immensely valuable diplomatic offering from King Sigismund of Poland. It was not merely a decorative item; the gift was intended to convey the horn's legendary properties and enhance Ferdinand's power and status.
Significance of the gift
Political importance: The horn served as a symbol of power and wealth for the Habsburg dynasty. By possessing such a rare and highly prized object, Ferdinand I's political and military might was reinforced, suggesting divine favor and unmatched prestige.
Protection against poison: In the 16th century, the fear of poisoning was widespread among European royalty and nobility. Unicorn horns (narwhal tusks) were believed to be a potent antidote. A cup made from the material or even a powdered dose could supposedly neutralize poison, a vital safeguard for any monarch.
Healing properties: In addition to detecting poison, the horns were thought to possess a wide range of healing and prophylactic powers. They were prescribed by apothecaries and used to treat diseases like measles, epilepsy, and the plague.
Status and display: Owning such an exotic and precious object was a clear sign of high status. The horn was initially displayed in a "cabinet of curiosities" before it was officially declared an "inalienable heirloom" of the House of Austria, meaning it could never be sold or pawned.
The transfer of such a valuable object from one monarch to another cemented political ties, demonstrated goodwill, and conferred a sense of legitimacy and grandeur upon the recipient
The King James Bible, uses the word "unicorn" in several passages:
Numbers 23:22, 24:8
Deuteronomy 33:17
Job 39:9-10
Psalms 22:21, 29:6, 92:10
Isaiah 34:7
The Hebrew word in the passages is re'em (רְאֵם).
Modern Scholars believe that this word refers Aurochs (part of the now extinct pleistocene megafauna) and was a large, type of "one horned" wild cattle => Think Apis Bulls of Egypt...
In Old High German, this word was compounded with ohso ('ox') to ūrohso, which became the early modern Aurochs.[5] Also, can possibly be translated as an Ibex (Manasseh), see Strongs Hebrew ya'al
Napoleon