There were so many owl in ancient Athens that a saying of the time, "To send owls to Athens," was equivalent to the present-day, "To carry coals to New Castle," which implies taking something to where it is already plentiful. The Greeks made the owl sacred to Athena, the goddess of wisdom, and the Hindus to Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth. The Greeks considered them birds of prophecy - portents of evil as well as triumph, depending upon the circumstances of their appearance.
The stigma of evil and supernatural power persisted through the centuries. Many people have feared the bird, some believing that the owl's cry foretold death and disaster. But since owls shared a fellowship with demons and witches, it was believed that they also had the power to ward off other bad spirits. For protection against lightning, the Chinese placed figures of owls on rooftops, and in Germany real owls were attached to doors.
All owls have hooked beaks and powerful feet with talons for catching and holding prey. They will dine off rodents, snakes, and insects; some catch fish. The bigger the owl, the bigger the animal it preys on. The owl's particular fondness for mice has won it the special appreciation of farmers.
The sound most often associated with owls is the soft deep hoo sound. There are over a hundred species of owls found all over the world, and each has its own distinctive sound, ranging from a wail to a cackle, a cluck, a high-pitched bell sound, and a low-pitched toot.
The owl has been a favorite subject of sculptors, artists, and poets since earliest times. Its likeness has appeared on ancient coins and in Renaissance paintings. Chaucer, Shakespeare, Ben Jonson, Thomas Gray, and other writers have alluded to it in their works, but it took the delightful nonsense rhymes of Edward Lear to give the owl literary immortality. What child has not responded to the lilting rhythm of The Owl and the Pussycat in which these two splendid creatures sail away for a year and a day to land where the Bong-tree grows.
For privacy concerns, please view our Privacy Policy
Send as free online greeting card
Email a Friend
Manage Wishlist