A distinct black shape, tumbling in the updrafts of a misty mountain crag – a raven at play

Raven lore is rich and varied, with ravens appearing as powerful symbols in mythology and folklore across many cultures. They are often associated with death, loss, and the supernatural, but also with wisdom, prophecy, and even creation. Their intelligence, adaptability, and striking appearance have made them subjects of fascination and reverence throughout history.

According to the Collins English dictionary: crow n 1 any large gregarious songbird of the genus Corvus, esp C. corone (the carrion crow) of Europe and Asia: family Corvidae. Other species are the raven, rook, and jackdaw and all have a heavy bill, glossy black plumage, and rounded wings Ravens hold significant symbolism and are deeply embedded in the lore of various cultures worldwide. Often depicted as intelligent and complex creatures, ravens are associated with both positive and negative connotations, including wisdom, prophecy, death, and trickery

ommon themes in raven lore:

1. Death and the Supernatural:

In Celtic mythology, they were associated with battlefields and war goddesses.

Edgar Allan Poe's famous poem "The Raven" solidified the raven's association with grief and loss.

Some cultures, like the ancient Egyptians, viewed ravens as symbols of destruction and malevolence.

Ravens are frequently linked to death and the afterlife, sometimes acting as psychopomps, guiding souls to the otherworld.

2. Wisdom, Prophecy, and Insight:

Odin's ravens, Huginn and Muninn (Thought and Memory) in Norse mythology, represent the power of knowledge and insight.

Ravens are often depicted as wise, prophetic figures, capable of seeing beyond the veil of reality.

Their ability to mimic sounds and their keen observation skills have contributed to their reputation as intelligent and insightful creatures.

3. Tricksters and Creators:

In Native American mythology, the raven is a prominent figure, often depicted as a trickster who plays a key role in creation stories.

He's credited with bringing light, fire, or other important elements to the world.

His trickster nature, while sometimes mischievous, is often seen as a catalyst for change and learning.

4. Transformation and Shapeshifting:

Ravens are often associated with shapeshifting, capable of taking on human or other animal forms.

This ability to transform is linked to their role as messengers between worlds and their connection to the supernatural.

5. Other Symbolic Meanings:

Ravens are also symbols of courage, loyalty, and adaptability.

In some traditions, they are seen as protectors and bringers of good luck.

The raven's dual nature – embodying both darkness and light, death and rebirth – makes it a complex and fascinating symbol across different cultures.

Examples from various cultures:

Celtic: Associated with war, death, and goddesses like the Morrigan.

Norse: Odin's ravens, Huginn and Muninn, symbolize thought and memory.

Native American: Often a trickster and creator figure, bringing light and other gifts to humanity.

Slavic: Kutka, a raven deity, is both a trickster and creator.

Jewish/Christian: Ravens are mentioned in both positive and negative contexts, sometimes symbolizing solitude and other times representing impurity.

Raven (Corvus corax), also known as the Common Raven or the Northern Raven, is the largest bird in the family CORVIDAE or CORVINI. Raven’s closest relatives in the subspecies CORVUS include the crows, jackdaws, and rooks There are many species of ravens around the world – Australian Raven (Corvus coronoides), Little Raven (Corvus mellori), Forest Raven (Corvus tasmanicus), New England Raven (Corvus (t). boreus), Chihuahuan Raven (Corvus cryptoleucus), Dwarf Raven (Corvus (r). edithae), Brown-necked Raven (Corvus ruficollis), White-necked Raven (Corvus albicollis), and Thick-billed Raven (Corvus crassirostris) the Common, or Northern Raven. It is the most widespread of all corvids, ranging throughout Europe, North Africa, Western Siberia, North America and Greenland. The bird prefers wild upland and mountainous regions, but also inhabits forests, inshore islands, coastal areas,

Ravens in Celtic Mythology

Ravens and crows were seen to be aspects of the ancient Irish goddess, The Morrígan, messengers from her to the downtrodden. They have always symbolised death, though. These birds typically appear in groups of three and are seen as a sign that The Morrígan is watching. She is the goddess of battle, strife and fertility. And she sometimes appears as a hooded crow. (I’m definitely going to do more research about her!)

Ravens in Greek Mythology

The ancient Greeks saw the crow as a symbol of Apollo (god of prophecy), and augury (divination using birds) was popular among Greeks.

Apollo also used ravens to send messages to humans – it was how they received word from the god of oracles. And when one raven was foolish enough to tell Apollo that the nymph he was in love with had married a human, all ravens were turned from white to black.

Ravens in Norse Mythology

Odin’s Ravens

Known as Hugin and Munin (pronounced HOO-gin and MOO-nin), these emissaries of Odin go out in the pursuit of more knowledge.

According to the medieval Icelandic historian Snorri Sturluson:

Two ravens sit on his (Odin’s) shoulders and whisper all the news which they see and hear into his ear; they are called Huginn and Muninn. He sends them out in the morning to fly around the whole world, and by breakfast they are back again. Thus, he finds out many new things and this is why he is called ‘raven-god’ (hrafnaguð).

Why ravens?

Well, there’s the carrion aspect. Odin is the god of war and death. Ravens are carrion birds. So they hang around battlefields. It probably made the old Norse warriors feel like Odin was watching over them in battle…

And ravens are exceptionally smart birds. Odin is a really smart guy. Usually the Old Norse Huginn and Muninn are translated to mean “Thought” and “Memory”.

In the Old Norse worldview, the self could be seen as comprising of different parts. So Odin was actually sending his Thoughts out to the world to gather more wisdom and knowledge autonomously. Risky, but certainly rewarding. (What if they didn’t return for whatever reason? Those parts would be lost, even to a god.)

Biblical Lore:

Ravens are mentioned in the Bible, serving as messengers and being associated with God's care and provision.

Native American Mythology:

Ravens are prominent figures, especially in Northwest Coast cultures, where they are both creators and tricksters, responsible for bringing light and other gifts to the world.

Beyond Mythology:

Ecosystem Role:

Ravens play an important role in their ecosystems, acting as scavengers and contributing to the balance of nature.

Modern Depictions:

Ravens continue to be featured in modern stories, including gothic and dark fantasy, reflecting their enduring appeal and mysterious nature.