Superstitions surrounding owls have a long and ancient history. These nocturnal creatures often appear in horror mystery films, have been associated with dark, haunting night themes, and grace our Halloween décor each fall. Their wide staring eyes give them a wise appearance, while the ability to turn their head around makes them fascinating and mysterious creatures. Tuffs of feathers on the top of an owl's head gives them the appearance of horned devils and their piercing cries add to the spook effect found in the ancient folklore of many countries.
In many cultures owls were symbols of magic. In England, it was believed that if you cooked an owl's eggs until they were ash, it could be used as a potion to improve eyesight. In India, if you ate an owl's eyes you would get the same result.
Witches were often linked to owls. One Greek & Roman superstition believed that witches could turn themselves into an owl and then they would swoop down and suck the blood of babies. Other superstitions related to witches and owls were: that the owls were messengers for sorcerer's and witches, that they danced together on the graves of the dead and that if you hear the hoot of an owl, then a witch approaches.
In today's world, we have learned that most of these owl superstitions are just stories, born in a time when people were fearful and trying to find answers to their lives and environment. However, many of these legends survived over time. Here are some other interesting and somewhat strange superstitions that are linked to owls.
* An owl hooting or screeching at night could result in the death of a newborn baby, will cause the child to have an unhappy life, or possibly that the baby would become a witch. If the owl was heard screeching during cold weather it signaled that a storm was coming.
* Owls apparently are the only creatures that can live with ghosts, so if an owl is found nesting in an abandoned house, the place must be haunted.
* Death is often associated with owls such as if: an owl perches on the roof of your house or hearing an owl hooting constantly nearby.
* If a traveler dreamed of an owl, then that meant he would be robbed or possibly shipwrecked.
* A silly owl superstitions is that if you see an owl perched in a tree and you walk around and around that tree, the owl will follow you with it's eyes, turning his head around until he wrings his own neck. (The reality is that an owl cannot turn his head completely around).
* Not all superstitions were bad. Owls were also believed to bring good fortune in some cultures. An Afghanistan legend states that it was the owl that presented humans with flint and iron so they could make fire. In exchange, man gave owls their feathers.
* The Aborigines of Australia believe that owls are the spirits of women and are therefore sacred, while in Brittany is was a good sign to see an owl on the way to the harvest as it meant that it would be a good yield that year.
* The owl is a symbol of guidance and help by the Inuit's of Greenland, while the people of Indonesia saw them as wise beings using the owl's different calls to determine whether to travel or not.
There are many, many more legends concerning the owl. The reality is that owls are very helpful to us as they are excellent at pest control, especially Barred Owls. They control the population of mice, voles, moles, rats, skunks, snakes, insects and slugs to name a few. So this Halloween, put together an owl superstition trivia sheet for the guests at your Halloween party and add a friendly wise old owl to your décor. It's the perfect "night watchman".
=================================
Author Resource Information:
(c) 2005. Rose Smith is the owner of Halloween Howl, a website filled with Halloween party ideas, costumes, decorations, games, graphics, crafts and more. It's Halloween fun for all ages! Come visit us at: http://www.halloweenhowl.com
Choosing a dolphin lover gift may not be as easy... Read More
With Mother's Day approaching fast, it's time to begin thinking... Read More
With Valentine's Day just around the corner, it's time to... Read More
What does holly, that untidy traditional greenery you just have... Read More
As the holidays approach, I find myself wondering how I'm... Read More
Turkey ... Stuffing ... Cranberry Sauce ... Pumpkin PieThis is... Read More
The holiday season is a wonderful opportunity to allow your... Read More
Most people know that the 50th wedding anniversary is the... Read More
Trying to fit all the planning and preparing and celebrating... Read More
When we think of Holiday shopping, we think of all... Read More
Ok, the end of October is approaching, and you desperately... Read More
"Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me!" If... Read More
The joyous season of Christmas is steeped in tradition, and... Read More
Every year we go through the same process of making... Read More
Easter is Sunday, March 27th! Don't forget the flowers! Your... Read More
From my childhood memories, pride of place on the top... Read More
Mr. Incredible and Elastiwoman to the Rescue. The Incredibles based... Read More
Do you know someone who is absolutely crazy about polar... Read More
If you're having a Halloween party you need to play... Read More
No matter how many lists you make, cards you send,... Read More
Here you are, facing the holiday season alone. Have you... Read More
Birthday party supplies and decorations can bring that necessary magic... Read More
The last Monday of May since 1868, has been designated... Read More
It's impossible to remember what gift is traditional for each... Read More
From the book A Heartland Christmas CollectionIn the first years... Read More
Candy canes are everyone's favorite holiday treat. Just think about... Read More
Unique "Drop-A-Hint" Plan Sends Your Gift Wishes Via E-mailSure, they... Read More
A day to reflect on the accomplishments of working people:... Read More
Birthdays are one thing you can count on. We all... Read More
It's time once again for the dreaded New Year's Resolutions.... Read More
Abraham Lincoln said ? "All that I am, or hope... Read More
Birthday celebrations date back as far as biblical times, when... Read More
Decorating for the holidays can be both expensive and emotionally... Read More
John Grisham wrote a book called SKIPPING CHRISTMAS. Amazon.com reports:... Read More
Do you feel panicked, or exicted? Are you experiencing joy... Read More
Instead of scouring the mall for gifts this holiday season... Read More
Holiday Tips For Stepfamilies: Let Go Of The "Brady Bunch"... Read More
- Christmas is responsible for more waste and consumption than... Read More
Now that the biggest shopping season of the year is... Read More
There are as many as eight possible Valentines Day origins... Read More
Traditional hand-blown glass Christmas ornaments never seem to go out... Read More
No matter how well we may have weathered our basic... Read More
Happy New Year! Around the world, this is a time... Read More
Memorial Day is a day for remembering those who have... Read More
"Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving... Read More
Gift giving is at its absolute finest during the Christmas... Read More
Do you know a Mom that deserves a special gift... Read More
Maybe your significant other is overseas in the military. Maybe... Read More
As we reach the time of year when Christmas items... Read More
Is there any party more delightful than sweet 16? If... Read More
My good friend, Rae, just called and suggested having a... Read More
It's back. The holiday season and all the challenges that... Read More
Throughout the year we have many gift-giving opportunities to show... Read More
The holiday season is a wonderful opportunity to allow your... Read More
The holiday season is upon us! It is a time... Read More
Putting up and decorating your Christmas tree is a holiday... Read More
When I think of Valentines Day I think of Chocolates... Read More
"Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me!" If... Read More
Did you know that you can make your own Halloween... Read More
Father's Day is about to be celebrated in Australia. The... Read More
Bunnies & chicks, colourful eggs, and the hunt for hidden... Read More
A birthday gift is the opportunity to show your loved... Read More
1. Santa Spends More Than He MakesSanta's paychecks are nothing... Read More
Deecember is a cruel month. Christmas sales, decorations, advertisements -everyone... Read More
As the countdown to Christmas day continues, most everyone is... Read More
Have you ever wondered why we decorate a tree for... Read More
Holiday |