After 20 years, NUS Overseas Colleges (NOC) finally gets a mascot! The mascot was unveiled at the Gala Dinner in Celebration of the 20th Anniversary of NOC in October 2022.

Named Whallycorn, this mascot has the head of a unicorn and the belly of a whale (It is not a narwhale 😊). It was jointly created by NOC alumna Khor Ke Xin, and NOC.

While it is quite clear that the unicorn head symbolises the aspiration of all founders and startups to make meaningful impact. The belly of the whale has an interesting symbolism that requires some explanation.

In the study of mythology, the hero’s journey is a common template for stories. It has 3 acts:

First, “Departure”, where the hero, living in an ordinary world, receives a call to adventure. The hero refuses the call, but met a mentor who finally changes his mind. He then crosses a threshold to go into a fantasy world where the adventure takes place.

Second act, “Initiation”. The hero fights some monsters, aided by new supernatural friends he made, and wins the battle.

Third act, “Return”. The victory transformed the hero, with new wisdom and powers. The hero returns to his ordinary world and uses his new found abilities to benefit his people.

The last stage of the first act is particularly interesting. It is the final separation of the hero from his known world and self. By entering this stage, the hero shows a willingness to leave what is familiar to undergo a metamorphosis. This last stage is similar to what entrepreneurs go through when they decide to undertake a new venture.

This last stage of the first act has a name.
Literary scholar Joseph Campbell called it “Belly of the Whale”.

So now you have it — NOC Mascot Whallycorn, symbolising the willingness to be transformed, and the aspiration to make meaningful impact.