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The owl can appear as an attribute of the allegorical figures of Night
and Dream. Being nocturnal bird, the owl became symbolic of the time
when we are surrounded with the silence and can concentrate ourselves,
digest our thoughts and compose them. The owl surrounded by the
pattern of paving-stones of the city square and its houses is a symbol
of the protectress of the city, a symbol of its peace and wisdom. The
owl suggests to us that Night is the best adviser, it is a symbol of
mature consideration, it reminds us of the need for thinking these
things over at night, on our pillow, before bringing our labors in the
brilliant sunshine. Noiseless nocturnal flight, gleaming eyes, and
hooting sounds of the owl became associated in the mind of man with
the occult. The gift of presaging events was ascribed to the owl,
perhaps, because of its ability to see in the dark. As for
associations of the owl with wisdom, they originate in ancient Athens
where the owl was believed to be a companion and the attribute of
Athena Pronoia (“Prophetess”). This is just in this capacity that the
image of this bird often appears on Greek coins, with the head of
Athena on the obverse and her attribute the owl on the reverse. |
