What are the roles owls play in popular culture and mythology?
By Sierra Jackovics and Sam Lyons
There are many different roles that owls play in mythology and various cultures. These multiple views are both positive and negative, and they vary between different groups of people. In British folklore, a Barn Owl’s screech is supposed to predict when a storm was about to arrive. In contrast, owls are believed to have special healing properties in Yorkshire (“Barn Owl”). These two examples show the contrasting view of owls.
Some negative connotations of owls include the ideas of death, evil, and darkness (“Barn Owl”). According to the beliefs of the American Indian Newul tribe, a wicked person would become a Barn Owl after they died (“Barn Owl”). In Scottish and Welsh languages, owls carry a negative connotation of death and darkness (“Owls- Mythology and Folklore”). Owls are viewed as suspicious in many cultures because of man's fear of the dark (“Owls- Mythology and Folklore”). The hoot of owls is considered an omen of bad luck or even death because of the common medical fact that most people die at night (“Owls- Mythology and Folklore”). In places like the Middle East, China, and Japan, owls are “considered as both a bad omen and an evil spirit” (“Owls- Mythology and Folklore”). Christians believe that they represent the devil, and according to the Old Testament, an owl is an “unclean creature that stands alone as a figure of desolation” (“Owls- Mythology and Folklore”). Many indigenous people, including those in Australia and North and South America, believe that owls are seen as messengers of bad news because of their association with darkness (“Owls- Mythology and Folklore”).
In contrast, owls also have many positive associations as well. According to the Navajo, they are the representative of supernatural beings and spirits (“Owls- Mythology and Folklore”). In Gallo-Roman times, owls are linked to the idea of fertility (“Owls- Mythology and Folklore”). In Japan, the Ainu trust owls because they notify them of any impending evil (“Owls- Mythology and Folklore”). According to Celtic folklore, owls are sacred and possess magical powers, such as their various abilities in the dark (“Owls- Mythology and Folklore”). The Welsh believe that they symbolize moon magic, renewal, initiations, and wisdom (“Owls- Mythology and Folklore”). They are also viewed as sacred by the Cherokee, and protectors by the Pawnee (“Owls- Mythology and Folklore”).
Owls are commonly associated with truth. In Ancient Greek mythology, owls are known as the animal of the goddess of wisdom, Athena. The owl on Athena’s shoulder would reveal “unseen truths to her”, as it had the ability to “light up Athena’s blind side, enabling her to speak the whole truth, as opposed to only a half truth” (“Owls- Mythology and Folklore”). Owls can “see what others cannot, which is the essence of true wisdom. Where others are deceived, Owl sees and knows what is there” (“Owls- Mythology and Folklore”). They are believed to bring night messages through meditation or dreams, and are the mythological birds “of mystical wisdom and ancient knowledge of the powers of the moon” (“Owls- Mythology and Folklore”). Owls are known to truly see reality as it is, and could make changes with their magical and spiritual knowledge.
There are also many strange modern beliefs about owls. Throughout the country, owls have different sorts of spiritual meanings. For example, many years ago in Louisiana, owls were considered old men and were respected deeply ("World Owl Mythology”). Also, in other parts of the U.S., if an owl cry was not repeated by a human, then the human who ignored the cry must flip one of his articles of clothing inside-out ("World Owl Mythology”). Finally, in China, the owl resembles lightning because they brighten in the darkness and are believed to radiate positive energy ("World Owl Mythology”).
Overall, owls are known for their “ability to see in the dark and fly noiselessly through the skies” (“Owls- Mythology and Folklore”). They can be known as both good or bad, either wise or deathly. They are also symbolically associated with magic and medicine, and are known as guides through the Underworld and silent hunters (“Owls- Mythology and Folklore”). Owls are mostly known in various Celtic cults, indigenous tribes, and Greek mythology. All of these different facts about owl mythology show that for the most part, owls are highly respected in the spiritual realm, but can also bring feelings of darkness to some people.
Works Cited:
"Barn Owl (Tyto Alba)." Barn Owl. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 May 2015. http://www.pauldfrost.co.uk/barnowl.html#folklore
"Owls - Mythology and Folklore - The White Goddess." Owls - Mythology and Folklore - The White Goddess. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 May 2015. http://www.thewhitegoddess.co.uk/articles/mythology_folklore/owls.asp
"World Owl Mythology - The Owl Pages." The Owl Pages. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 May 2015. http://www.owlpages.com/articles.php?section=owl+mythology&title=World
There are many different roles that owls play in mythology and various cultures. These multiple views are both positive and negative, and they vary between different groups of people. In British folklore, a Barn Owl’s screech is supposed to predict when a storm was about to arrive. In contrast, owls are believed to have special healing properties in Yorkshire (“Barn Owl”). These two examples show the contrasting view of owls.
Some negative connotations of owls include the ideas of death, evil, and darkness (“Barn Owl”). According to the beliefs of the American Indian Newul tribe, a wicked person would become a Barn Owl after they died (“Barn Owl”). In Scottish and Welsh languages, owls carry a negative connotation of death and darkness (“Owls- Mythology and Folklore”). Owls are viewed as suspicious in many cultures because of man's fear of the dark (“Owls- Mythology and Folklore”). The hoot of owls is considered an omen of bad luck or even death because of the common medical fact that most people die at night (“Owls- Mythology and Folklore”). In places like the Middle East, China, and Japan, owls are “considered as both a bad omen and an evil spirit” (“Owls- Mythology and Folklore”). Christians believe that they represent the devil, and according to the Old Testament, an owl is an “unclean creature that stands alone as a figure of desolation” (“Owls- Mythology and Folklore”). Many indigenous people, including those in Australia and North and South America, believe that owls are seen as messengers of bad news because of their association with darkness (“Owls- Mythology and Folklore”).
In contrast, owls also have many positive associations as well. According to the Navajo, they are the representative of supernatural beings and spirits (“Owls- Mythology and Folklore”). In Gallo-Roman times, owls are linked to the idea of fertility (“Owls- Mythology and Folklore”). In Japan, the Ainu trust owls because they notify them of any impending evil (“Owls- Mythology and Folklore”). According to Celtic folklore, owls are sacred and possess magical powers, such as their various abilities in the dark (“Owls- Mythology and Folklore”). The Welsh believe that they symbolize moon magic, renewal, initiations, and wisdom (“Owls- Mythology and Folklore”). They are also viewed as sacred by the Cherokee, and protectors by the Pawnee (“Owls- Mythology and Folklore”).
Owls are commonly associated with truth. In Ancient Greek mythology, owls are known as the animal of the goddess of wisdom, Athena. The owl on Athena’s shoulder would reveal “unseen truths to her”, as it had the ability to “light up Athena’s blind side, enabling her to speak the whole truth, as opposed to only a half truth” (“Owls- Mythology and Folklore”). Owls can “see what others cannot, which is the essence of true wisdom. Where others are deceived, Owl sees and knows what is there” (“Owls- Mythology and Folklore”). They are believed to bring night messages through meditation or dreams, and are the mythological birds “of mystical wisdom and ancient knowledge of the powers of the moon” (“Owls- Mythology and Folklore”). Owls are known to truly see reality as it is, and could make changes with their magical and spiritual knowledge.
There are also many strange modern beliefs about owls. Throughout the country, owls have different sorts of spiritual meanings. For example, many years ago in Louisiana, owls were considered old men and were respected deeply ("World Owl Mythology”). Also, in other parts of the U.S., if an owl cry was not repeated by a human, then the human who ignored the cry must flip one of his articles of clothing inside-out ("World Owl Mythology”). Finally, in China, the owl resembles lightning because they brighten in the darkness and are believed to radiate positive energy ("World Owl Mythology”).
Overall, owls are known for their “ability to see in the dark and fly noiselessly through the skies” (“Owls- Mythology and Folklore”). They can be known as both good or bad, either wise or deathly. They are also symbolically associated with magic and medicine, and are known as guides through the Underworld and silent hunters (“Owls- Mythology and Folklore”). Owls are mostly known in various Celtic cults, indigenous tribes, and Greek mythology. All of these different facts about owl mythology show that for the most part, owls are highly respected in the spiritual realm, but can also bring feelings of darkness to some people.
Works Cited:
"Barn Owl (Tyto Alba)." Barn Owl. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 May 2015. http://www.pauldfrost.co.uk/barnowl.html#folklore
"Owls - Mythology and Folklore - The White Goddess." Owls - Mythology and Folklore - The White Goddess. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 May 2015. http://www.thewhitegoddess.co.uk/articles/mythology_folklore/owls.asp
"World Owl Mythology - The Owl Pages." The Owl Pages. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 May 2015. http://www.owlpages.com/articles.php?section=owl+mythology&title=World