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Omaha Steve

(99,074 posts)
Tue Oct 27, 2015, 11:58 AM Oct 2015

Happy Owl-Oween! Fun Facts About Owls


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http://www.care2.com/greenliving/happy-owl-oween-fun-facts-about-owls.html

Cherise Udell October 21, 2015 7:30 am

Humans have been fascinated by owls for millennia: they are depicted in ancient cave wall paintings in France dating back 15,000 to 20,000 years and appear in Egyptian hieroglyphics and in folklore across the world. In some cultures, owls represent misfortune and death, while in other cultures they represent wisdom and prosperity.

Lilith, an ancient Sumerian goddess of death, for example, had talons for feet, a headdress adorned with horns and was often depicted with owls by her side. Lilith may have been the precursor to the Greek Goddess of warfare and wisdom, Athena, as Greek myths often describe Athena transforming into an owl during times of battle. In honor of Athena, rocky crevices around Athens and the Acropolis were often filled with small owls in ancient times.

The Ainu of Japan believed Eagle Owl totems would ward off famine and pestilence. Before hunting expeditions, it was a time-honored tradition to drink a toast to the Eagle Owl. However, Barn Owls and Horned Owls were seen as demonic.

In today’s pop culture, owls are strongly associated with Halloween alongside the black cat and the witch on her broomstick. So, in honor of the upcoming festivities of All Hallow’s Eve, please enjoy these wonderfully weird facts about owls.

FULL story at link.

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Happy Owl-Oween! Fun Facts About Owls (Original Post) Omaha Steve Oct 2015 OP
Squee! shenmue Oct 2015 #1
Well known ancient Athens Greece coin cpwm17 Oct 2015 #2
owls Goblor Nov 2015 #3
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