The unicorn is the national animal of Scotland. This mythological animal was adopted by early Celts as unicorns are believed to be impossible to conquer and are fiercely independent - qualities that represent the Scottish people. The first official use of the unicorn was in the royal coat of arms of Scotland from the mid-1500s when two unicorns were positioned either side of a lion. After the union of the crowns in 1603, one of the unicorns was replaced with a lion to represent the joining of England and Scotland.