Does anybody know the symbolism of the "Owl"?

Question

My mother in law collects owls figurines...everytime i see them i feel bad...in Italy the owl is considered negative omen......what do americans think of it?

Answer 1

For me Owls mean death. I used to work at a nursing home on night shift. When ever I saw an owl, someone that I know would die within two or three days, this stands true to this day if I come across an alive owl. I am not making this up either.

Answer 2

The owl represents wisdom all the way back to, and predating, Athena. Certainly it was wise and fortunate to have owls around as they kill pests that eat crops and make you sick. The are also considered to be, in Western folklore, one of the birds associated with bringing the spirits of the dead Back to earth; whereas some birds are associated with conducting the spirit away. So they do not mean death, but the returned dead. Most of this is forgotten in the USA and England due to advertising – now they are used for wisdom and learning – there’s an expression about a “wise old owl” - the same phrase is in Beatrix Potter.

Answer 3

The owl is stereotypically considered to be wise. In Winnie the Pooh, the owl character stayed in his tree and basically watched the others fail, then said "I told you so" at the end. They're probably considered wise in Japan as well. In the first Game Boy Zelda game, there was an owl who would fly in and give you really cryptic hints about how to progress in the game, and there were owl statues in the dungeons that did the same thing.

Answer 4

In America, the owl represents wisdom. It overlooks everything and sees all the danger that is within our lives. In a sense, people collect them because they admire their wisdom that they represent. However, there are also practical uses for them; Farmers use them to scare off rodents...even statues of them. People place them on the roofs of their homes and on trees to scare off smaller birds that are destructive. They are great at keeping the crows away, etc.

It's a multi-purpose bird. And you should re-check the theory on them being an omen in Italy. I've heard that Italians do not like the bird, but it's because they show up when danger is near. To me, that sounds more like a protectant bird. It's a warning sign, not an omen.

Answer 5

The owl has always been a symbol of wisdom to me. Owls are beautiful birds, I can't think why any one would consider them negative omens, but every country has its traditions. I wonder what Ireland's is.

Answer 6

Two symbols, one in folklore. The folklore is that if you hear an owl at night, it means a death is coming to your family. Superstition.

The other symbol is the owl stands for wisdom.

If your mother-in-law isn't Italian, she probably means wisdom.

Answer 7

The Owl is a symbol for Wisdom. According to the ancient Greeks and Romans, the Goddess Minerva had a owl. It was also her messenger. She ruled over wisdom and over animals

Answer 8

I generally consider it to represent wisdom.

In heraldry:
"Usually shown full-faced or guardant, a hawk-like creature, the owl is the bird of Athena (Minerva), Greek goddess of wisdom and favourite daughter of Zeus. Athena is best known for her embodiment of reason, strength and wisdom and for assisting others on their heroic journey for self-mastery and understanding; since this century's old connection with Athena/Minerva the owl has been used to denote one who is vigilant, prudent and of acute wit."

Perhaps this is where my generalization originates from.

Answer 9

Owl symbolism usually consists of widom, the elderly, grace, sometimes death.

Answer 10

owls are all knowing and wise.
people who imbue them with evil omens are still living in the dark ages where superstition reigned supreme and withches were burnt alive at the stake.
you mom in law knows.so be careful,be very careful.