Tyto Alba

Roosting during the day, and hunting rats, shrews, and mice and night - Owls are more often than not painted as dark as their nocturnal habits. Newuk American Indian tribes believed that when a wicked person died, they would become a Barn Owl. If they were virtuous and good, they would become a Great Horned Owl. British folklore denotes that a screeching Barn Owl is believed to predict cold weather or a storm was imminent. If during the storm a Barn Owl was heard, it was indicative of the storm nearly being over. That screech is also most likely the inspiration for the Irish legend of the Banshee's wail, an omen of death.

A distinct heart-shaped facial feather disc and deep, dark eyes are the key points that separate Barn Owls from the rest. More often heard than seen, they make a 'shreeeeeeeeeeeee' screech to protect their territory as well as attract mates for courtship. They also purr, strengthening their bond with their mate. These birds truly are the farmer's friend due to the ever-growing rodent population from humans not disposing of food waste properly. Thus, controlling the pest population.

An owl sighting during the Indian festival of Diwali is considered extremely lucky because in their mythology they are the 'vahanas', or vehicles, of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Also, remarkable parallels between many indigenous people's beliefs in the Americas and people of Asia view owls as impending death. The Ojibwa, for example, is the bridge over which the spirit of the deceased passes. Translated it means 'Owl Bridge'.

Cherokees bathed children's eyes in water containing owl feathers to help them remain awake and vigilant all night for ceremonies. Creek shamans kept an owl skin with their sacred amulets to keep the magic potent. Pawnees use feathers to decorate ceremonial pipes. The Hidatsa of the Dakotas claimed the Great Horned Owl was a keeper-of-game spirit while the Burrowing Owl assisted with herding duties as well as flying above warriors to protect them as they went to attack their enemies.

A Sumerian tablet, 2300 - 3000 BC, showed the ancients associated owls with the nighttime, acute vision, and silent wisdom. Queen Lilith, A Goddess of death among many other things, has talons on her feet, wears a headdress of horns, and is flanked by several owls.

The Greek Goddess Athena, The ruler of wisdom and warfare, also has inspiration from these beautiful birds. Rock crevices of Athens and Acropolis are populated with small owls, said to be the embodiment of the goddess because when the Athenians won the battle of Marathon from the Persians in 490 BC, Athena manifested into the shape of an owl and led them to their victory.

Romans, who massively appropriated many of the Greek beliefs, suggested that their deity Minerva's role was similar to Athena's- the prophetic qualities being known far and wide. Owl feathers and internal organs were often found in pharmaceutical remedies or magical potions. Romans, as I'm sure others did too, also used representations of owls to ward off the Evil Eye.

Across the pond further east, the Ainu of Northern Japan placed carved eagle owls on their houses to ward off pestilence and famine. They viewed the Eagle Owl as a divine ancestor or even a messenger of the Gods. A toast and prayer were always offered to the Eagle Owl before a hunting expedition. A Screech Owl warned against danger, but the Barn Owl and Horned Owl were thought to be demonic.

Chinese masters of the Thunderbolt; regulators of the seasons thought the Owl symbolized too much Yang, or positive, active, bright energy. So ornaments in the shape of owls would be hung from the corners of houses to protect them from fire.

The lore that continues to persist to this day is that owls are familiars of witches in many parts of Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

Some take more drastic measures to accumulate good luck by taking part in Owl Sacrifices being held throughout parts of North India to gain more wealth on the pure basis of superstition. Our very human perception of these mysterious and severely misunderstood creatures needs to be brought to light. Our ecosystems desperately need these beautiful raptors to co-exist peacefully and successfully. When prey begins to outnumber predators we have to see what is happening to upset this balance and allow mother nature to restore it! Perhaps it may be time to establish updated mythical views of our North American owls.

Celebrating their sense of mystery and aesthetic beauty, while also acknowledging that their sharp sensory awareness is far superior to our own and will always inspire and thrill our simple brains where ever we may find these deities in disguise.