Symbols are a crucial part of how we communicate complex ideas, and often, we use animals to represent these ideas. Symbols develop their meanings through the experiences people have and the context in that those experiences take place. Birds have lent themselves to symbolize a variety of concepts throughout human history. Some meanings change over time, but more often than not, they stand the test of time. We forget how these symbols came to be and why they gained that meaning.
Many associate crows with death; seeing a crow means death is not far behind. There is a simple explanation for why crows are seen as omens: they are scavengers, intelligent ones. Crows quickly learned that when a battle occurred, there would be meat to scavenge. Today, many associate them with curiosity and intelligence, as many rescue organizations exhibit their problem-solving skills and stellar vocal mimicry.
Doves have a long history with humanity, they were invaluable tools for hundreds of years. They represented peace and were used as messengers. Before Christianity in times of conflict, doves were sent to deliver messages of surrender. When Christianity became popularized, doves began to represent purity and the holy spirit. These meanings continue to this day and likely will persist for a long time. Though many dove owners will attest that these symbols of peace can be quite a menace.
Owls represent a variety of different things to different cultures. Many associate them with wisdom and intelligence, while others view them as bad omens. Owls gained their wisdom element from their association with Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom. In Latino culture, they are associated with witchcraft and are a sign of the devil. It is quite ironic that many associate owls with wisdom, as research shows that corvids, such as ravens and crows, are smarter than owls.
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