Unicorn

Unicorns are a popular element in fanworks. They can be used as symbols of virginity and goodness, and can also be used to convey that about characters they interact with. 
Unicorns were popular elements in fanart, to illustrate grace and beauty, but also the talent of the artists, as horses and related equine/equestrian beings take skill to draw. Although, some now consider them quite cliched, especially outside of fandoms of fantasy canons.
Additionally, some fandoms predominantly feature unicorns as main or secondary characters, such as Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, The Last Unicorn or My Little Pony, and fanworks will inevitably reflect this.
== Unicorns and Fandom ==
===FanFiction===
Because of their association with purity, unicorns sometimes are used as plot device in virgin!fic (for example of the humorous crack kind) to reveal the virginity of a character, especially an unexpected one, i.e. a Secret Virgin.SGA fic Mythical by Zoe Rayne, and its remix In The Spotlight (the Unicorn Remix) by Icarus (accessed 3 Aug 2010) This can also be used for misunderstandings, i.e. the other characters think unicorns reveal virginity but are wrong about that, and wrongly assume a character was a virgin. Using the unicorn plot device to reveal the virginity of a character is popular for first time stories in fandoms with canon unicorns.In the episode tag fic The Trouble With Unicorns by astolat Arthur Pendragon is revealed to be a virgin (but not for long).In The Care & Feeding Of Unicorns (old link)/new link by Icarus, a unicorn reveals both Merlin and Arthur as virgins. One notable exception is Wide Awake, an All Human AU Twilight fanfic by angstgoddess003 in which "unicorn" was used as a euphemism for "orgasm".
Unicorns may also be used to point out that a character is "good," whether or not they are a virgin.In Old Country by astolat, a unicorn clearly signals its approval of Sam Winchester, even though Sam is most definitely not a virgin by that point and has been doing some potentially questionable things.
Due to their status of purity and magic, the works often also address the consequences of coveting, hurting or killing a unicorn, such as what is presented in the Harry Potter fandom, when Voldemort feeds on one to keep himself semi-alive while he is just a specter before his resurrection. Following the same logic, some present the unicorn's horn as the source of its power, leading to works about its conquest.
Sometimes fanfic plays with the expectation of unicorns as "good" creatures and makes them scary, for example Ineffable, a SPN story by Cofax.Another Supernatural example featuring unpleasant unicorns -- with an odd squick is Sam and Dean Winchester: Unicorn Hunters, 1/3 by aggybird. (Accessed 9 Feb 2012).
There is also fic that turns characters into unicorns, see Were-Creature.
===Fanart and Fanvid===
Unicorns are also common in fanart (along with all kinds of other horses and horse derivatives, such as Pegasuses, also combinations such as winged unicorns). 
The use of unicorns without ironic distance is seen as kitschy by some fans, especially in fandoms that don't have them canonically. Others don't see much difference between fanart using unicorns and the equally popular white horses in other fandoms.
In 2010, the release of the popular flash game Robot Unicorn Attack led to an influx of fanart featuring mechanical unicorns with rainbow manes.
Unicorns also feature in vids when unicorns are canon in a fandom.
==Examples of Fic==
===Badfic/Meta===
*8 ways not to write a fanfic (2007) by cupidsbow deconstruct badfic and are also meta reflections on the genre. Among other things, the stories parody badfic formatting and flashback indicators, OOC behavior, songfic, Trinity, extreme woobieism, badsex, Mary Sues, were-unicorn issues, and end with an unforgettable reference to My Little Pony.
===Merlin===
*The Unicorn Prince and the Virtuous (Even if She Wears Short Skirt) Maiden (1/5) by pianeko, In which a curse turns Arthur into a unicorn. He has to find Excalibur to break the curse and for that he needs the help of virgin girl!Merlin. Fairytale Prompt: The Fair Maid and The Snow White Unicorn (Scottish foktale) (2010, ~11,000 words)
===The Professionals===
*Abode of Delight by DVS, A young virgin fellow rescues a beast far more intelligent than most men around him unicorn Bodie story. Originally published in Other Times and Places #5, was written in response to the 'contest' in the last issue (1994)
===Stargate Atlantis===
*With Six You Get Unicorns, a 8 ways not to write a fanfic sequel by cupidsbow, crackfic/parody in which John worries that Rodney won't love him because he turns into a unicorn sometimes.
*But Where Would They Live? and The Dreams That You Dare to Dream (Or, But What Would the Children Look Like?) by Thingswithwings. Rodney is a unicorn who falls in love with John, a rainbow.
===Supernatural===
*Of Unconventional Dealbreaking by rionaleonhart. Gen fic in which to avoid his "going to Hell" deal coming due, Dean is (very reluctantly) turned into a unicorn. "When he tries to wrinkle his forehead, a rainbow suddenly leaps from his horn and streaks off across the darkening sky. He doesn't know how it's possible, but being a unicorn just got even stupider."
*Mister Sparkles by ignipes. Sam/Dean fic in which Sam is transformed into a unicorn (and Dean kind of gets off on it).
*
==Examples of Fanvid==
* newkidfan's Merlin vid Blade Runner, a fusion where unicorns appear in both sources.
* sisabet's Merlin vid Alone uses a unicorn as one of its many metaphors.
* dualbunny, greensilver, pipsqueak, and sweetestdrain's Smallville vid I Swear features unicorns.
==Examples of Fanart==
===1970s===
File:Vorpal3.jpg|cover of The Vorpal Sword #3 by Deborah Krogan (gen sci-fi zine, 1970)
File:Sol1front.jpg|cover of Sol III 1, by Signe Landon (gen TOS zine, 1974)
File:Sol2back.jpg|a rare sighting of a sort of mer-corn, art for Sol III #2, by Signe Landon, 1974
File:Interphase1 03.jpg|picture from the Interphase Calendar showing a Last Unicorn xover, by Gayle F (K/S calendar, 1976)
File:Alphacont1back.jpg|back cover of Alpha Continuum #1 by Marty Siegrist (Star Trek: TOS zine, 1976)
File:Trektales1art6.jpg|interior art 1001 Trek Tales #1 by Amy Falkowitz (gen Star Trek: TOS zine, 1977)
File:Inadifferentreality3.jpg|cover of In a Different Reality #3, artist unknown (gen TOS zine, 1977)
File:Ob1back.jpg|back cover of Obsc'zine #1 (Star Trek: TOS zine) by Clare Bell (1977)
File:Chaoback.jpg|The Chaotian Chronicles (1977)
File:Sehlatsroar4-4.jpg|Sehlat's Roar #4 unicorn art by Amy Falkowitz
File:Phoe3art1.jpg|inside art in Phoenician Star Gallery #3, artist unknown (1977)
File:Intergaletc6-2.jpg|Darth Vader and his nemesis? Interior art by Colleen Winters from The Intergalactic Etcetera #6 (gen Star Trek: TOS and Original Science Fiction anthology, 1979)
File:Delta5art7.jpg|from Delta Triad #5, featured Uhura, artist is John Martin (1979) 
===1980s===
File:Stellargas2full.jpg|full cover of Stellar Gas #2 by Michael Verina (gen TOS zine, 1980)
File:Palantirtwo.jpg|cover of The Palantir #2 ("the unicorn issue") by Ingrid Kallick (Tolkien anthology, 1980)
File:Echo 1.jpg|cover of Echo #1 by Leah Rosenthal (gen multimedia zine, ca. 1980)
File:Fanzine-timeframe-03.jpg|cover of Timeframe #3 likely by Laural Russwurm (gen multimedia zine, 1980)
File:Noc-12.jpg|inside art from Nocturne (1981), artist is Michael Verina
File:Alphacont3back.jpg|Marty Siegrist portrays a young and virginal Spock, from Alpha Continuum #3 (1981)
File:Elfquestinterior11.jpg|interior art from Yearnings #1 by Bjo Trimble (gen Elfquest anthology, 1982), a meta joke regarding the prevalence of unicorns and dragons in fan art.
File:Ofdreams2.jpg|cover of Of Dreams and Schemes #2 by Ann Larsen (multifandom zine, 1982)
File:Shootout4-4.jpg|interior art from Shootout #4 by June Bushnell (Starsky & Hutch letterzine, 1984)
File:Daringtwo.jpg|cover of Daring Attempt #2 by TACS (K/S zine, 1985)
File:Highlyanimated2.jpg|cover of Highly Animated #2 by Colleen Winters (Anime zine, 1985)
File:Abode5.jpg|front cover of Abode of Strife #5 by Michael Goodwin (Star Trek: TOS zine) (1985)
File:Oneamongcover.jpg|cover of One Among You by Lee Sullivan (gen TOS zine, 1985)
File:Colonialcon1.jpg|cover of the program book for Colonial Con, art by Barbara Walker; apparently GOH actor Richard Hatch liked unicorns. (Battlestar Galactica (1978) convention, 1985)
File:Grip21-1.jpg|interior art from Grip #21 by Jean Ellenbacher (gen multimedia zine, 1985)
File:Mindmeld3art8.jpg|from Mind Meld #3; four characters and the artist's renditions of their animal "symbols" -- McCoy (bear), Kirk (bird of prey), Spock (black panther) and finally, the Enterprise (unicorn) by Suzan Lovett (Star Trek: TOS zine) (1986)
File:First Time 13.jpg|cover of First Time #13 by Caren Parnes (K/S zine, 1987)
File:Otherside7.jpg|cover of The Other Side of Paradise #7 by Amy Falkowitz (het TOS zine, 1987)
File:Raisinghellback.jpg|back cover of Raising Hell #1 by Suzan Lovett (Blake's 7 gen zine, 1987)
File:Clipper55.jpg|Art from The Clipper Trade Ship #55 by Susan Landerman , featuring the Fourth Doctor (gen multimedia zine 1987)
File:Abode10.jpg|cover of Abode of Strife #10 by Marie Williams (adult ST and SW zine, 1988)
File:Firsttimenineteenfront.jpg|front cover of First Time #19 by Marilyn Cole (K/S zine, 1988)
File:Firsttimenineteenback.jpg|back cover of First Time #19 by Marilyn Cole (K/S zine, 1988)
File:Whosblake4-6.jpg|interior art from Who's Blake by Julie Edwards (1989)
===1990s===
File:05Forever always 3 sue k.JPG|cover of Forever and Always #3 by Sue K. (Beauty and the Beast (TV) 1991)
File:Onceuponatimekehoe-6.jpg|interior art from Once Upon a Time by Jane Curtis (Beauty and the Beast (TV) 1992)
File:Songsofinnocence.jpg|cover of Songs of Innocence by Suzan Lovett (Blake's 7 slash zine) (1993)
File:Othertimesandplaces4.jpg|cover of Other Times and Places #4 by TACS (The Professionals slash zine, 1994)
File:Neverendingdream2-5.jpg|interior art from Soulmates - A Neverending Dream #2 by Terrie Milliman (1994)
File:Playfellows 8 int by s lovett.jpg|interior art for the The Man From UNCLE story "A Unicorn Affair" in Playfellows #8 by Suzan Lovett (slash multimedia zine, 1995)
File:To Catch a Unicorn cover.JPG|cover of To Catch a Unicorn by The Southern Cross (K/S zine, 1998)
===2000s===
File:Sparklypoo house crest.gif|The crest of House Sparklypoo by GMonkey in their The Sparklypoo Comic (Harry Potter, 2003)
File:Neverending2.jpg|Arthur and unicorn, from The Neverending Legend by Yue KX (Merlin ficart, 2009)
===2010s===
File:The Trouble With Unicorns.jpg|screencap of podbook cover by cybel for The Trouble With Unicorns, 2010
File:Robot Unicorn and Sushi Cat by D-NA.jpg|Robot Unicorn and Sushi Cat by D-NA (Robot Unicorn Attack) (2011)
File:Rarity day.jpg|Rarity day (Sep 2016) by harwicks-art, featuring the unicorn Rarity from My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic 
File:Unicornjabumarcoalbiero.png|Unicorn Jabu (Saint Seiya) by Marco Albiero, made for the Festa Dell Unicorno 2017
===2020s===
*Joust by sennamaticart (unicorns fighting in an allusion to a medieval jousting duel — 2023)
*what if unicorn cowboy by streetlight-halo (2024)
==Resources==
* Fanworks tagged with "Unicorns" at Archive of Our Own
* 5 all-time favorite SGA unicorn stories (slash, McShep) recs post
==References==