Owl

Owls are incredible animals and are from a group of birds called Strigiformes, they are generally solitary animals that live alone. However, some species of owls may form pairs or live in small groups. Socialising and learning from each other, they may benefit from sharing the same roost, watching for predators and mobbing songbirds together. They may also huddle together to keep warm. Additionally, some owl species may form long-term pair bonds, with the majority of owls staying with their mate for many years or even a lifetime. Many owl species are known to be monogamous, with pairs forming during the breeding season and remaining together for multiple breeding seasons. Utilising abilities such as:

Exceptional Hearing

They have extremely sensitive ears, believed to be up to 10 times more sensitive than those of humans. This allows them to detect the slightest sounds, such as the scurrying of small rodents under thick snow.

Powerful Talons and Beak

These birds have sharp, hooked beaks and powerful talons, which they use to grasp and kill their prey.

Stealth

They have evolved to be stealthy predators, using their camouflage and silent flight. They have specialised feathers that allow them to fly silently to sneak up on their prey, making them expert hunters.

Exceptional Eyesight

These animals have huge, tubular eyes that are capable of seeing in low-light conditions. In some species, the weight of their eyes is more than that of their brain! They also have binocular vision similar to humans, which allows them to judge height, weight, and distance.

Head Rotation

Owls can turn their heads 270 degrees in both directions, allowing them to see behind them without moving their entire body. Having specialised neck bones which are adapted to allow for this exceptional head rotation, along with a special bone at the base of the skull.

Regurgitation

Owls regurgitate pellets, which contain the indigestible bones, fur, and feathers of their victims, helping them to rid themselves of unwanted materials.

Exceptional Tracking Skills

Owls have powerful hunting and tracking skills, using their acute hearing, exceptional eyesight, and silent flight to locate and catch their prey. Their symbolism has been part of legends and myths for centuries, but do you know what owls truly symbolise?

Having abilities like these, inspires legends and stories about the magical powers of these birds that can be found in civilisations worldwide. Owls are commonly associated with wisdom and transformation. However, Owl symbolism differs from one place to another. This is because, the world has diverse cultures and in these cultures, the same thing may mean different things to different people. Also, the ancient religious practices owed much significance to the Owl and this gave birth to different superstitious beliefs which then associated the owl symbolism with the weather, wisdom, birth and death, witchcraft and medicine, amongst others. Therefore, to talk about Owl symbolism, we search around the world for what this fascinating bird represents.

Africa

In African culture, owls are often associated with wisdom, protection, and intelligence. For example, in some cultures, Owls are believed to be messengers of the gods and are considered sacred animals. They are also seen as protectors of crops and are believed to bring good fortune to those who see them. In some parts of West Africa, the Owl is considered a sacred animal and a symbol of protection as well. Additionally, the owl is sometimes used as a totem animal or spirit guide in African spirituality. In some parts of Africa, the owl symbolism is associated with a disagreeable connotation. South Africa is a beautiful country with diverse habitat for variety of wild animals, the Zulu people refer to Owls as the sorcerer's bird. In West Africa, this grandpa-grim-looking bird is portrayed as a messenger of evil and its hoot is a sign of impending danger. While, the Bantus in Central Africa, identify the fixed bulging eye bird as a monitor for those who practice wizardry.

In North Africa, especially in Algeria, the owl is considered a confessor. By placing the eye of an owl on the right hand of a sleeping person, they will tell you whatever you want to know. Where as, in East Africa, the people of Abyssinia classify the owl as an angel of death. For instance, if a man is sentenced to death, he is placed on a table with large owl painting and expected to take his own life. Also, the Swahili believe the owl brings illness to children.

Europe

In parts of Europe like Germany, if the hooting of an Owl is heard when child is born, it means that the child is likely to have an unhappy life. Yet in Croatia, this fearless and solitary bird is believed to be a protector. As a matter of fact, owl is the symbol of the Island of Krk. Meanwhile, in France, if a pregnant woman hears the hoot of an owl, it means, her baby is likely going to be a girl. In Celtic realm, an Owl is a symbol of the underworld. According to a legend, Owls are excorts to the underworld. They are believed to be the only bird that dare to fly up to heaven to see God in His shining glory, hence it became blind to the light of the day and only see in the dark. But then, not all owl move at night, as there are over 200 species with difference features and characteristics. In Italy, the Etruscan associated the owl to the god of darkness, while the Babylonians, an owl amulet served as protection for a pregnant woman.

The ancient Greeks were the foremost custodian of myths. They believed that the owl represents wisdom because Athene, the Greek goddess of wisdom, chose the Owl over the crow, due to her fascination with the eyes of this ancient nocturnal bird. Thus, the Owl carvings close to Athene became associated with wisdom. They also believed that the owl had special powers, like, "a magical inner light" which is responsible for its night vision. It was also associated with protection and this is why the owl symbol accompanied the Athenian army to wars, to protect them. Hence, whenever an owl flies over the Greek army, it is believed that they will emerge victorious in that battle.

Just like the Greeks, the Romans were also, ardent believers of myths. The Oowl symbolism stretches to a wide length in Roman culture too. The owl is used for purification rituals. If a dead owl is nailed to the entrance of any household, it is believed that all previous ills, bad omens and evils have been driven away. Also, the hoot of an owl is associated with impending evil or death. For example, the Romans believed, the hooting of the owl was heard before the death of Agrippa, Julius Caesar, Commodus Aurelius and Augustus. This means that the owl was also likened to a messenger of death or doom. Another important event that proved their beliefs about this was the owl's warnings to the Roman army shortly before the defeat at Charrhea, on the plains between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers. Anyone who dreams of an owl is likely to be robbed or encounter a distasteful event. The Romans also associated the owl with witchery, with the belief that witches take the form of Owls to suck the blood of babies at night.

Asia

In most parts of Asia, the Owl symbolism is associated with protection. The Indonesian people of the isle of Sulawesi venerate the Owl as the bird of wisdom. Owl is known as Burung Manguni and it is part of culture for people to consult the bird for guidance before they embark on missions and a journey. In Japan, the Owl is revered as a divine messenger of the gods amongst the Ainu people. The Chinese believe that the owl is a source of lightening. This is because, as a night animal, it brightens the night and makes sounds that drum and break the silence of the night. Thus, putting up owl images in your home is to prevent too much lightening. Also, the owl in this part of the world represents masculinity.

In Hinduism, owls are associated with the goddess of wealth, so they’re seen in a different light. Hearing an owl hoot is a good omen and signals good luck and immense wealth is coming. In the old days, the people of India narrated tales to show the significance of the owl. These folklores described the owl as a symbol of wisdom, a prophetic bird and also a creature that helps humans.

America

In parts of America, the Owl symbolism is associated with evil and aesthetic. Mexicans associates olws as messengers of the lord of the land of the dead. The Aztecs considers owl as a symbol of evil because it is clearly seen on the head of one of their evil gods. Whereas, the Incas, venerated the owl for its beautiful eyes and head.

Arabia

The Arabs have long standing belief that describe the owl symbolism to embodiment of evil spirits. The owl is believed to carry children at night, believed to be the symbol of outcry for a man who seeks justice after death. For instance, an owl will continue to hoot on a dead man's grave who was unjustly killed, untill justice is served.

Australia

The Aborigines and Torres Strait Islander peoples allocated symbols according to gender. While the bat represents the male, the Owl was used to represent the female gender. To this effect, the owl symbolism in this part of the world was held to be sacred, because the owl is your mother or sister and this was a sacred belief....