According to the world of mythology and occult beliefs, an owl is more than what it seems. We often see owls in movies as a smart bird, but there are more things in life that our wise old owl symbolizes. To mention a few, the owl has often been referred to as a symbol of fertility, wisdom, insight, strength, and protection, up to representing great fear, and being the messenger of evil and death.
Hinduism sees the owl as an emblem of cosmic spirituality. As nocturnal birds, the owl has also been associated with Greek, Roman, and Celtic mythology and seen as the “angel of death” (Teichrib, 2013).
The owl and the sound it makes also hold different meanings for Native American religions and their shamans. Until today, modern day shamans still believe that owls represent vision and insight.
On the other hand, because of its semblance with the dark night, owls are also linked with craft and wizardry. Even in popular novels and movies such as Harry Potter, an owl plays a great role in the life of a wizard. In Africa, owls are seen as birds of sorcerers. The Swahili people also believe that owls deliver illnesses to their children. Some even say that owls rendezvous with dark witches and dance on the grave of the recently perished.
Like usually portrayed in cartoons on television, the owl depicted with a business coat and big eyeglasses also represent wisdom. They are often associated with scholars and wise elders. Perhaps, this symbolism may also be linked with Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom who is often depicted holding an owl.
Truly, the wise old owl is not just a magnificent creature of the night. It represents a lot of things across different places and culture. It is just my hope for their species not to be hunted, but instead, be protected and remain to be seen in our forests forever.
References:
- Owls Mythology & Folklore. Retrieved from: http://www.pauldfrost.co.uk
- The Wise Old Owl. Retrieved from: http://shamanicconnection.com/naturewise/animal-guides/the-wise-old-owl-2
- Teichrib, C. (n.d.) The Wise Old Owl. Retrieved from: http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/2002/carl-teichrib/8owl.htm
