the Karkadann by Laura Apple

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

in Arabia and ancient Persia lived another type of unicorn called the Karkadann. Sometimes it was described as resembling a stag, horse or antelope. Others said it to have a body like a rhinoceros, a tail like a lion, and yellow hooves, with a single, black crescent shaped horn on the forehead. Legend says it was born by tearing its way through its mother's body. Therefore the Arabs and Persians said the Karkadann was a war-like, violent animal, ferocious in battle beyond compare. Because of its aggressive tempermant, and its loud, harsh voice, all living creatures left it alone. But its horn is said to have healing and protective powers.

The name karkadann is a variation of the Sanskrit kartajan, which means "lord of the desert". Other spellings and pronunciations include karkadan, karmadan, and Cartazoon. It ranges from the plains and deserts of India and Persia to northeastern Africa.

The enemy of the karkadann was the elephant, and the only person who tamed the karkadann was Alexander the Great.

The psychological attributes:
Positive- having the inner strength to defend yourself.
negative- a person who has a violent nature, one who loves to cause upset, termoil, even creating violence and hatred between other people.

magickal attributes:
Healing and protection

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

Al-Qazwini, one of the earliest authors to claim the horn is an antidote to poison, also notes that it is used in the manufacturing of knife handles. According to Chris Lavers, The Natural History of Unicorns, khutu, a somewhat enigmatic material possibly consisting of ivory or bone, had been ascribed alexipharmic properties. Both of these "enigmatic horns," Lavers argues, were used in making cutlery, and so became associated; this is how in the 13th century Al-Qazwini could consider karkadann horn as an antidote, and this is how the karkadann became associated with the unicorn