Owl

Strigidae

Myth and lore

Owls are traditionally associated with wisdom and with the goddess Athena, although crows and other passerine birds may be more intelligent. The Ancient Egyptians made a representation of an owl into their hieroglyph for 'm', although they would often draw this hieroglyph with its legs broken to keep the bird of prey from coming to life and attacking. Another goddess possibly associated with owls is Akkadian Lilitu.

Related Topics:
Athena - Crow - Passerine - Ancient Egypt - Hieroglyph - Lilitu

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In Japanese culture, the bird is a symbol of death and seeing one is considered a bad omen. The same is true in Italian and Romanian culture, where the mournful call of an owl predicts the death of somebody living in the neighbourhood.

Related Topics:
Japanese culture - Italian - Romanian culture

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The Romans also considered owls to be funerary birds, for their nocturnal activity and having their nests in inaccessible places, therefore, seeing an owl at daytime was considered a bad omen. Their vampiric strix was in part based on the owl.

Related Topics:
Romans - Omen - Strix

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Taboo surrounds owls in the culture of the Native American Hopi nation, they are regarded as a dirty and ominous creature.

Related Topics:
Native American - Hopi

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