diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 9f5aa18e..6fdd8263 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -2,6 +2,9 @@
 
 ## Unreleased
 
+### Added
+- `assert_is_symlink`, `assert_is_not_symlink` and `assert_symlink_to` assert on a symbolic link itself. Every other filesystem assertion follows the link, so a link and its target were indistinguishable and a dangling link read as "does not exist" (#981)
+
 ### Added
 - Named snapshot assertions support multiple snapshots per test; mismatches show the resolved path and `--snapshot-update` hint (#986)
 
diff --git a/completions/_bashunit b/completions/_bashunit
index a162e56d..a3cf0205 100644
--- a/completions/_bashunit
+++ b/completions/_bashunit
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ _bashunit() {
       assert_greater_than assert_is_directory assert_is_directory_empty
       assert_is_directory_not_empty assert_is_directory_not_readable
       assert_is_directory_not_writable assert_is_directory_readable
-      assert_is_directory_writable assert_is_file assert_is_file_empty
+      assert_is_directory_writable assert_is_file assert_is_file_empty assert_is_not_symlink assert_is_symlink
       assert_json_contains assert_json_equals assert_json_key_exists
       assert_less_or_equal_than assert_less_than assert_line_count
       assert_match_named_snapshot assert_match_named_snapshot_ignore_colors
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ _bashunit() {
       assert_not_same assert_same assert_string_ends_with
       assert_string_matches_format assert_string_not_ends_with
       assert_string_not_matches_format assert_string_not_starts_with
-      assert_string_starts_with assert_successful_code assert_true
+      assert_string_starts_with assert_successful_code assert_symlink_to assert_true
       assert_unsuccessful_code assert_within_delta
     )
     compadd -a assert_fns
diff --git a/completions/bashunit.bash b/completions/bashunit.bash
index d894761e..4d5d4704 100644
--- a/completions/bashunit.bash
+++ b/completions/bashunit.bash
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ assert_files_not_equals assert_general_error assert_greater_or_equal_than \
 assert_greater_than assert_is_directory assert_is_directory_empty \
 assert_is_directory_not_empty assert_is_directory_not_readable \
 assert_is_directory_not_writable assert_is_directory_readable \
-assert_is_directory_writable assert_is_file assert_is_file_empty \
+assert_is_directory_writable assert_is_file assert_is_file_empty assert_is_not_symlink assert_is_symlink \
 assert_json_contains assert_json_equals assert_json_key_exists \
 assert_less_or_equal_than assert_less_than assert_line_count \
 assert_match_named_snapshot assert_match_named_snapshot_ignore_colors \
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ assert_not_contains assert_not_empty assert_not_equals assert_not_matches \
 assert_not_same assert_same assert_string_ends_with \
 assert_string_matches_format assert_string_not_ends_with \
 assert_string_not_matches_format assert_string_not_starts_with \
-assert_string_starts_with assert_successful_code assert_true \
+assert_string_starts_with assert_successful_code assert_symlink_to assert_true \
 assert_unsuccessful_code assert_within_delta"
 
 # compgen output is split into COMPREPLY words on purpose; mapfile/read -a would need bash 4+.
diff --git a/docs/assertions.md b/docs/assertions.md
index 783edbb8..c3f16f10 100644
--- a/docs/assertions.md
+++ b/docs/assertions.md
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ to narrow it (`bashunit doc json`).
 | **Numbers** | [assert_less_than](#assert-less-than) · [assert_less_or_equal_than](#assert-less-or-equal-than) · [assert_greater_than](#assert-greater-than) · [assert_greater_or_equal_than](#assert-greater-or-equal-than) · [assert_within_delta](#assert-within-delta) |
 | **Dates** | [assert_date_equals](#assert-date-equals) · [assert_date_before](#assert-date-before) · [assert_date_after](#assert-date-after) · [assert_date_within_range](#assert-date-within-range) · [assert_date_within_delta](#assert-date-within-delta) |
 | **Exit codes and commands** | [assert_exit_code](#assert-exit-code) · [assert_successful_code](#assert-successful-code) · [assert_unsuccessful_code](#assert-unsuccessful-code) · [assert_general_error](#assert-general-error) · [assert_command_not_found](#assert-command-not-found) · [assert_exec](#assert-exec) |
-| **Files** | [assert_file_exists](#assert-file-exists) · [assert_file_not_exists](#assert-file-not-exists) · [assert_file_contains](#assert-file-contains) · [assert_file_not_contains](#assert-file-not-contains) · [assert_is_file](#assert-is-file) · [assert_is_file_empty](#assert-is-file-empty) · [assert_file_permissions](#assert-file-permissions) · [assert_files_equals](#assert-files-equals) · [assert_files_not_equals](#assert-files-not-equals) |
+| **Files** | [assert_file_exists](#assert-file-exists) · [assert_file_not_exists](#assert-file-not-exists) · [assert_file_contains](#assert-file-contains) · [assert_file_not_contains](#assert-file-not-contains) · [assert_is_file](#assert-is-file) · [assert_is_file_empty](#assert-is-file-empty) · [assert_is_symlink](#assert-is-symlink) · [assert_is_not_symlink](#assert-is-not-symlink) · [assert_symlink_to](#assert-symlink-to) · [assert_file_permissions](#assert-file-permissions) · [assert_files_equals](#assert-files-equals) · [assert_files_not_equals](#assert-files-not-equals) |
 | **Directories** | [assert_directory_exists](#assert-directory-exists) · [assert_directory_not_exists](#assert-directory-not-exists) · [assert_is_directory](#assert-is-directory) · [assert_is_directory_empty](#assert-is-directory-empty) · [assert_is_directory_not_empty](#assert-is-directory-not-empty) · [assert_is_directory_readable](#assert-is-directory-readable) · [assert_is_directory_not_readable](#assert-is-directory-not-readable) · [assert_is_directory_writable](#assert-is-directory-writable) · [assert_is_directory_not_writable](#assert-is-directory-not-writable) |
 | **Arrays** | [assert_arrays_equal](#assert-arrays-equal) · [assert_array_contains](#assert-array-contains) · [assert_array_not_contains](#assert-array-not-contains) · [assert_array_length](#assert-array-length) |
 | **JSON** | [assert_json_equals](#assert-json-equals) · [assert_json_contains](#assert-json-contains) · [assert_json_key_exists](#assert-json-key-exists) |
@@ -911,6 +911,51 @@ function test_failure() {
 ```
 :::
 
+## assert_is_symlink
+> `assert_is_symlink "path"`
+
+Reports an error if `path` is not a symbolic link.
+
+Every other filesystem assertion follows the link — `assert_is_file` and
+`assert_file_exists` report on the *target*, so a link and the file it points at
+look identical, and a dangling link reads as "does not exist". This is the
+assertion that tells them apart, and it passes for a link whose target is gone.
+
+::: code-group
+```bash [Example]
+function test_success() {
+  ln -s /etc/hosts ./hosts_link
+
+  assert_is_symlink "./hosts_link"
+}
+```
+:::
+
+## assert_is_not_symlink
+> `assert_is_not_symlink "path"`
+
+Reports an error if `path` is a symbolic link.
+
+## assert_symlink_to
+> `assert_symlink_to "expected_target" "path"`
+
+Reports an error if `path` is not a symbolic link, or if it points somewhere
+other than `expected_target`.
+
+The target is compared **as written**, via `readlink`, not fully resolved: that
+is what the test author wrote, and `readlink -f` is GNU-only. A relative link
+therefore compares as the relative string it is.
+
+::: code-group
+```bash [Example]
+function test_success() {
+  ln -s ./releases/42 ./current
+
+  assert_symlink_to "./releases/42" "./current"
+}
+```
+:::
+
 ## assert_file_permissions
 > `assert_file_permissions "mode" "file"`
 
diff --git a/src/assert/files.sh b/src/assert/files.sh
index 04ac6332..059f2347 100644
--- a/src/assert/files.sh
+++ b/src/assert/files.sh
@@ -154,3 +154,82 @@ function assert_file_permissions() {
 
   bashunit::state::add_assertions_passed
 }
+
+##
+# Whether $1 is a symbolic link, regardless of whether its target resolves.
+#
+# Every other filesystem assertion here follows the link: -f and -e report on
+# the target, so a link and the file it points at are indistinguishable, and a
+# dangling link reads as "does not exist" -- the same answer as a path that was
+# never created. This is the one that can tell them apart.
+#
+# Arguments: $1 - path, $2 - unused, $3 - optional label override
+##
+function assert_is_symlink() {
+  bashunit::assert::should_skip && return 0
+
+  local expected="$1"
+
+  if [ ! -L "$expected" ]; then
+    bashunit::assert::fail_with "${3:-}" "${expected}" "to be a symlink" "but is not a symlink"
+    return
+  fi
+
+  bashunit::state::add_assertions_passed
+}
+
+##
+# Whether $1 exists and is not a symbolic link.
+# Arguments: $1 - path, $2 - unused, $3 - optional label override
+##
+function assert_is_not_symlink() {
+  bashunit::assert::should_skip && return 0
+
+  local expected="$1"
+
+  if [ -L "$expected" ]; then
+    bashunit::assert::fail_with "${3:-}" "${expected}" "not to be a symlink" "but is a symlink"
+    return
+  fi
+
+  bashunit::state::add_assertions_passed
+}
+
+##
+# Whether $2 is a symlink pointing at $1.
+#
+# Compares the target as written, via `readlink`, not the fully resolved path.
+# Two reasons: it is what the test author wrote in the first place, so a failure
+# names something they recognise; and `readlink -f` is GNU-only, so resolving
+# would need a second implementation for BSD/macOS. A relative link therefore
+# compares as the relative string it is.
+#
+# Arguments: $1 - expected target, $2 - path, $3 - optional label override
+##
+function assert_symlink_to() {
+  bashunit::assert::should_skip && return 0
+
+  if [ $# -lt 2 ]; then
+    bashunit::assert::usage_error "${FUNCNAME[0]}" 2 "expected_target, path" "$#"
+    return 2
+  fi
+
+  local expected="$1"
+  local path="$2"
+
+  if [ ! -L "$path" ]; then
+    bashunit::assert::fail_with "${3:-}" "${path}" "to be a symlink" "but is not a symlink"
+    return
+  fi
+
+  local actual
+  actual=$(readlink "$path")
+
+  if [ "$actual" != "$expected" ]; then
+    bashunit::assert::fail_with "${3:-}" "${expected}" \
+      "to be the target of ${path}, but got " "${actual}"
+    return
+  fi
+
+  bashunit::state::add_assertions_passed
+}
diff --git a/tests/acceptance/snapshots/bashunit_test_sh.test_bashunit_should_display_all_assert_docs.snapshot b/tests/acceptance/snapshots/bashunit_test_sh.test_bashunit_should_display_all_assert_docs.snapshot
index 2139b6f3..8b113545 100644
--- a/tests/acceptance/snapshots/bashunit_test_sh.test_bashunit_should_display_all_assert_docs.snapshot
+++ b/tests/acceptance/snapshots/bashunit_test_sh.test_bashunit_should_display_all_assert_docs.snapshot
@@ -359,6 +359,31 @@ Reports an error if `file` does not contains the search string.
 - assert_file_not_contains is the inverse of this assertion and takes the same arguments.
 
 
+## assert_is_symlink
+--------------
+> `assert_is_symlink "path"`
+
+Reports an error if `path` is not a symbolic link.
+
+Every other filesystem assertion follows the link — `assert_is_file` and
+`assert_file_exists` report on the *target*, so a link and the file it points at
+look identical, and a dangling link reads as "does not exist". This is the
+assertion that tells them apart, and it passes for a link whose target is gone.
+
+
+## assert_is_not_symlink
+## assert_symlink_to
+--------------
+> `assert_symlink_to "expected_target" "path"`
+
+Reports an error if `path` is not a symbolic link, or if it points somewhere
+other than `expected_target`.
+
+The target is compared **as written**, via `readlink`, not fully resolved: that
+is what the test author wrote, and `readlink -f` is GNU-only. A relative link
+therefore compares as the relative string it is.
+
+
 ## assert_file_permissions
 --------------
 > `assert_file_permissions "mode" "file"`
diff --git a/tests/unit/assert/files_test.sh b/tests/unit/assert/files_test.sh
index 9fc424af..5930f6e8 100644
--- a/tests/unit/assert/files_test.sh
+++ b/tests/unit/assert/files_test.sh
@@ -249,3 +249,119 @@ function test_unsuccessful_assert_file_permissions_when_file_does_not_exist() {
     "$file" "to have permissions 644" "but the file does not exist")" \
     "$(assert_file_permissions "644" "$file")"
 }
+
+# Symlinks are invisible to every other filesystem assertion: -f and -e follow
+# the link, so a link and its target look identical, and a dangling link reads
+# as "does not exist" -- the same as a path that was never created.
+function symlink_fixture_dir() {
+  bashunit::temp_dir
+}
+
+function test_successful_assert_is_symlink() {
+  if bashunit::check_os::is_windows; then
+    bashunit::skip && return
+  fi
+  local dir
+  dir=$(symlink_fixture_dir)
+  : >"$dir/target"
+  ln -s "$dir/target" "$dir/link"
+
+  assert_empty "$(assert_is_symlink "$dir/link")"
+}
+
+# The case nothing covers today: a link whose target is gone is still a link.
+function test_successful_assert_is_symlink_when_the_target_is_missing() {
+  if bashunit::check_os::is_windows; then
+    bashunit::skip && return
+  fi
+  local dir
+  dir=$(symlink_fixture_dir)
+  ln -s "$dir/never_created" "$dir/dangling"
+
+  assert_empty "$(assert_is_symlink "$dir/dangling")"
+}
+
+function test_unsuccessful_assert_is_symlink_on_a_regular_file() {
+  if bashunit::check_os::is_windows; then
+    bashunit::skip && return
+  fi
+  local dir
+  dir=$(symlink_fixture_dir)
+  : >"$dir/plain"
+
+  assert_same \
+    "$(bashunit::console_results::print_failed_test \
+      "Unsuccessful assert is symlink on a regular file" \
+      "$dir/plain" "to be a symlink" "but is not a symlink")" \
+    "$(assert_is_symlink "$dir/plain")"
+}
+
+function test_successful_assert_is_not_symlink() {
+  if bashunit::check_os::is_windows; then
+    bashunit::skip && return
+  fi
+  local dir
+  dir=$(symlink_fixture_dir)
+  : >"$dir/plain"
+
+  assert_empty "$(assert_is_not_symlink "$dir/plain")"
+}
+
+function test_unsuccessful_assert_is_not_symlink() {
+  if bashunit::check_os::is_windows; then
+    bashunit::skip && return
+  fi
+  local dir
+  dir=$(symlink_fixture_dir)
+  : >"$dir/target"
+  ln -s "$dir/target" "$dir/link"
+
+  assert_same \
+    "$(bashunit::console_results::print_failed_test \
+      "Unsuccessful assert is not symlink" \
+      "$dir/link" "not to be a symlink" "but is a symlink")" \
+    "$(assert_is_not_symlink "$dir/link")"
+}
+
+function test_successful_assert_symlink_to() {
+  if bashunit::check_os::is_windows; then
+    bashunit::skip && return
+  fi
+  local dir
+  dir=$(symlink_fixture_dir)
+  : >"$dir/target"
+  ln -s "$dir/target" "$dir/link"
+
+  assert_empty "$(assert_symlink_to "$dir/target" "$dir/link")"
+}
+
+function test_unsuccessful_assert_symlink_to_reports_both_targets() {
+  if bashunit::check_os::is_windows; then
+    bashunit::skip && return
+  fi
+  local dir
+  dir=$(symlink_fixture_dir)
+  : >"$dir/target"
+  ln -s "$dir/target" "$dir/link"
+
+  assert_same \
+    "$(bashunit::console_results::print_failed_test \
+      "Unsuccessful assert symlink to reports both targets" \
+      "$dir/other" "to be the target of ${dir}/link, but got " "$dir/target")" \
+    "$(assert_symlink_to "$dir/other" "$dir/link")"
+}
+
+function test_unsuccessful_assert_symlink_to_on_a_regular_file() {
+  if bashunit::check_os::is_windows; then
+    bashunit::skip && return
+  fi
+  local dir
+  dir=$(symlink_fixture_dir)
+  : >"$dir/plain"
+
+  assert_same \
+    "$(bashunit::console_results::print_failed_test \
+      "Unsuccessful assert symlink to on a regular file" \
+      "$dir/plain" "to be a symlink" "but is not a symlink")" \
+    "$(assert_symlink_to "$dir/whatever" "$dir/plain")"
+}