The most famous reference today would have to be Edgar Allan Poe’s “ The Raven,” a narrative poem about a man haunted by the memory of lost love, while tormented by a raven sitting on his doorway, repeating over and over again, “Nevermore.” In the poem, the raven is described as “stately” and “with mien of lord or lady” (“mein” being another word for “demeanor”). This legend is so important to London that, when the original ravens left during WW2, the city replaced them with new birds, their wings now clipped.īecause of their powerful symbolism as protectors, tattoo enthusiasts often place a raven “on their shoulder” or across their shoulder blades, as a symbol of their own desire to protect others. According to legend, the Kingdom of England would fall if the ravens were removed from the Tower of London. The mythology of ravens as protectors continues to this day. In Roman mythology, the real-life general Marcus Valerius Maximus Corvus was saved during a fight by a raven intervening and distracting his opponent. In Irish mythology, the great soldier Cu’Chulainn was protected by the goddess Morrigan who sat on his shoulder as a raven as he passed to the next world. While many stories refer to the raven as a messenger, even more see the raven as a protector. Harbingers of Doom or Protectors From It? Instead, consider offering up images of Hugin and Munin using your own interpretations. In modern times, some such symbols have been co-opted by hate groups, just as the Swastika was by the Nazis. Note: It is important to do your research if considering a traditional raven symbol from Norse mythology. Images of two ravens are often connected with these important figures, representing knowledge and wisdom, as well as protection. They were so important to him that in some texts, he is known as “The Raven God.” To see a raven was to know that Odin was watching, and to see one after a sacrifice or battle was to see that he was pleased. In Norse Mythology, these two birds brought the news of the world to the All-Father, Odin.

Perhaps the most well-known mythological ravens are Hugin and Munin. In the mythology of the people of the Pacific Northwest, the raven is the creator of the world and ‘Trickster God.’ Hugin and Munin The Hindu deity Shani rides on top of a raven, while the indigenous people in the far east of modern-day Russia revere the raven spirit Kutkh. In Judaic mythology, it was the raven that first checked to see if the floodwaters receded, and it was ravens that fed the prophet, Elijah, while in exile. According to the stories of Ancient Greece, the raven was the messenger of Apollo, its wings blackened when he punished them for bringing bad news. The Servants of the Gods, or Gods Themselves?Īncient mythology around the world has held a special place for the raven. This means that while the common raven is a different animal from the American crow, in culture and mythology, they are considered the same. However, in English, the two words are often used synonymously. Scientifically speaking, the “crow” usually refers to the “American crow,” which is a cousin of the raven. Perhaps it is through our continued experience of these clever birds that we have come to see them as intelligent and powerful creatures. Ravens are particularly intelligent creatures, with recent studies showing them as having the ability to understand numbers, solve puzzles, and communicate as well as orangutans and chimpanzees. While young ravens may flock together, they are more likely to be seen either alone or with their partner, with whom they mate for life. They are omnivorous and willing to eat carrion, which sometimes means they are associated with death. The raven is a species of large black birds that are found all over the world. Harbingers of Doom or Protectors From It?.The Servants of the Gods, or Gods Themselves?.

Munin and hugin meaning