Why are unicorns so popular?

Photo: Zazzle.com

From Starbucks’ pink and blue, cotton candy-esque Unicorn Frappuccino to the resurgence of My Little Pony, the unicorn trend has been on an upswing for several years and shows no signs of slowing. All the cool girls are trotting around in headbands bearing unicorn horns and ears, unicorn t-shirts, and even unicorn leggings. Everyone from tweens to millennials are painting their faces with bright, sparkly, unicorn-inspired makeup.

But why are unicorns so popular? What makes these mystical creatures so much more than a passing fad?

What Are Unicorns?

Although currently experiencing unprecedented popularity, the unicorn is not new. Unicorns are mythological, horse-like creatures with a single horn on their head. Some unicorns, notably many of the My Little Pony characters including Princess Luna and Twilight Sparkle, possess a horn and wings. A flying horse without a horn, however, is a Pegasus. It is the single, majestic horn, said to be imbued with magical powers, that gives a unicorn its unique identity.

The earliest unicorns appeared in Mesopotamian artwork and were also featured in ancient myths of China and India. Over the centuries, unicorns have taken many different appearances, but always with the single horn atop their forehead.

Today’s unicorns most closely resemble the ones first introduced in the 1980s, adorning Lisa Frank stickers, notebooks, and Trapper Keepers. But the Instagram generation has taken the unicorn trend to a whole new level.

Tracking the Unicorn Trend

The latest incarnation of the unicorn trend began around April 2010 with a spike in popularity according to Google trends. It stabilized until 2016, when the unicorn trend began its steady upward climb, with a spike in May 2017 when Starbucks introduced its famed Unicorn Frappuccino.

Today, we can enjoy unicorn cupcakes, unicorn toast, and unicorn cocktails, channeling our inner child even as we chase an alcohol-induced buzz.

And why not? The bright rainbow colors of a unicorn, the vivid pink and blue of a Unicorn Frappuccino, and, of course, the sparkle and glitter associated with these mystical beings make the perfect Instagram fodder. Any meal, home décor items such as blankets or throws, and any item of clothing can be transformed into something special. Just add a unicorn, snap a photo, and you’ll instantly increase your social media status.

Unicorn Parties for All Ages

For adults and children alike, unicorn parties are a happy side effect of the unicorn trend. Whether you’re welcoming a new baby or celebrating a milestone birthday, unicorn-themed party goods in pretty pastels will transport your guests to a mystical happy place.

Get the event started on the right foot with unicorn party invitations, and then select matching, personalized paper goods to give your party a magical touch.  

Embracing the Timelessness of Unicorn Culture

Undoubtedly, GenX parents are reveling in the unicorn revival. Parents in their 40s can now share their childhood and tween infatuations with their own kids.

But GenX may not have driven the unicorn trend alone. Millennials, too, are embracing the bright colors and glittery glow of unicorn accessories, personal care products, and clothing. Growing up on the tail-end of the first modern unicorn craze, millennials are seeking to re-live a time when life, indeed, felt like “rainbows and unicorns.”

Could it be that unicorns tap into our collective psyche, reminding us that dreams can come true? Or maybe it’s our desire to be perceived as “one-of-a-kind,” a true unicorn in a society of boring workhorses?

Even if everyone around us sports the same glittery look, paying homage to the regal unicorn, we are still all unique in our own ways. The unicorn trend allows us to embrace innocence, fun, and positive thoughts regardless of what’s happening around us. That strong yet carefree unicorn spirit could be exactly what we need today, and the reason the world seems to be going unicorn crazy.