Dabbing Unicorn
- , by Jessica Miller
- 5 min reading time
Where Did the Dab Come From?
Before the dabbing unicorn was printed on hoodies, phone cases, and basically every product that could hold an image, the dab was just a dance move. And like most dance moves that take over the world, its origin story is a little contested.
The earliest version of the gesture showed up in 1991 when NBA player Dee Brown covered his eyes during a no-look dunk at the Slam Dunk Contest. It wasn't called "the dab" yet, but the arm-across-the-face motion was unmistakably there.
The dab as we know it today emerged from Atlanta's hip-hop scene in the mid-2010s. The rap group Migos helped popularize it, and from there it spread to sports, politics, and eventually every corner of the internet. The move itself is simple: drop your head into the crook of one arm while extending the other arm out. That's it. No dance training required, which is exactly why it went viral.
How the Dab Went Global
What made the dab unstoppable wasn't its complexity. It was the opposite. Anyone could do it. A five-year-old could do it. Your grandmother could do it. And they did.
In sports, footballers like Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard turned the dab into a goal celebration, bringing it to European audiences who might never have encountered Atlanta hip-hop. In politics, it became a talking point when politicians attempted it to connect with younger voters, with mixed results.
In music, the dab became a basic dance step that showed up in music videos, concert performances, and fan recordings. Its beauty was in its simplicity. You didn't need to be coordinated. You just needed arms.
The dab meant different things to different people. For some, it was pure fun. For others, it became a symbol of joy, youth, and solidarity. In many communities (from the US to Africa to Asia) hitting a dab was shorthand for "we're celebrating something right now."
When Unicorns Started Dabbing
So how did a hip-hop dance move end up paired with a mythical horse? The same way everything happens on the internet: someone drew it, posted it, and people lost their minds.
The dabbing unicorn first appeared as fan art and t-shirt designs around 2016-2017, right when dab fever was at its peak. The combination worked because both the dab and the unicorn represent the same energy: being unapologetically fun, standing out from the crowd, and not caring what anyone thinks about it.
The phrase "I'm a unicorn, I do what I want" was already circulating online. Adding the dab to that attitude was a natural fit. A unicorn dabbing says: "I'm magical AND I've got moves."
Why the Dabbing Unicorn Stuck Around
Most internet trends fade fast. The dabbing unicorn didn't. Years after the dab peaked as a dance move, the dabbing unicorn continues to show up on clothing, accessories, and home decor. A few reasons for that.
It's age-proof. Kids love it because it's silly. Teens love it because it's irreverent. Adults love it because it's a way to not take themselves too seriously. The dabbing unicorn works across every demographic, which is rare for any meme-based design.
It represents individuality. The whole "be a unicorn in a field of horses" ethos pairs perfectly with a dance move that's about expressing yourself. Wearing a dabbing unicorn is a low-key way of saying you're different and you're fine with it.
It's just fun to look at. A unicorn with a rainbow mane and a twisted horn, mid-dab? The visual works. It's dynamic, colorful, and it makes people smile. Hard combination to beat in the merch world.
The Unicorn's Connection to Self-Expression
The dabbing unicorn is really part of a bigger story about what unicorns represent in modern culture. In mythology, unicorns were symbols of purity and rarity. In today's world, they've evolved into symbols of individuality, creativity, and unapologetic joy.
That evolution is why unicorns have become one of the most enduring pop culture icons of the last decade. They're not tied to a specific movie, show, or brand. They belong to everyone. And the dabbing unicorn takes that universal appeal and adds a gesture that says "life is worth celebrating."
Curious about the mythological side? Our breakdown of unicorn versus Pegasus looks at where these creatures come from and how they differ.
Dabbing Unicorn in Fashion
The dabbing unicorn made the jump from meme to fashion staple surprisingly quickly. It works on just about everything: t-shirts, hoodies, phone cases, stickers, backpacks. The design translates well because it's simple enough to read at any size but detailed enough to be visually interesting.
For hoodies specifically, the dabbing unicorn has become one of the most popular designs in unicorn fashion. The all-over print versions, where the unicorn covers the entire garment, tend to be conversation starters. If you're into that energy, our unicorn hoodie collection has a range of styles from subtle to full dab.
The key to wearing dabbing unicorn gear well? Own it. It's not ironic. It's not a costume. It's an attitude.
How to Do the Dab
In case you've somehow made it this far without actually trying it:
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart
- Raise both arms to one side of your body
- Drop your head into the crook of the lower arm (like you're sneezing into your elbow)
- Extend the other arm straight out
- Hold it for exactly one second. Any longer and it gets weird
That's it. You're now dabbing. Congratulations. You're basically a unicorn.
Want more unicorn fun? Find your magical alter ego with our 250+ unicorn names guide, check out the funniest unicorn memes, or browse our cutest unicorn GIF collection. And if you're in the mood for laughs, our unicorn jokes are gloriously corny.
