Fact: do you know that unicorn is the national animal of Scotland?
It might be a mythical creature but it is a "fact" that it is the national animal of Scotland.
Why, then, has Scotland adopted, and continued to use, a mythical creature as its national animal? Possibly the tales of dominance and chivalry associated with the Unicorn overpower the scientific facts of its existence, leading to its choice as a national symbol. There are tales describing how a Unicorn visits a water body poisoned by a snake and purifies the water by dipping its horns into it, rendering the water safe for other creatures. Thus, the creature symbolizes goodwill and positivity. Also, the existence of the creature has not been completely negated, and debates continue to rage on regarding its presence in the past, or even the present, biological world of fauna. The Unicorn appears to be an ultimate animal, endowed with the many of the best qualities possible for any creature, and hence it continues to be the National Animal of Scotland, and many Scottish proudly accept it as such.
And also, Historian found that the Unicorn was believed to be the natural enemy of the lion - a symbol that the English royals adopted around a hundred years before.
Now we know :)
P.S.
Photo is screen grabbed from Google.