Secrets of mythology: the raven is a symbol with contradictory and diverse meanings

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

The raven is a very mysterious bird. He is credited with both positive and negative qualities. Raven is a symbol that is often found in fairy tales, legends and myths. In many countries, many signs are associated with this bird. Therefore, it is worth considering the meaning of the raven as a symbol in different cultures, peoples and manifestations.

Mythology

Raven is a symbol with deep mythological semantics, which is determined by the properties and skills of this bird. It is generally accepted that this creature acquired the black color due to contact with smoke or fire.

Many call the crow the mediator between life and death. Because this bird does not disdain carrion. Dead meat is neither plant nor animal food. So the raven personifies a kind of compromise between herbivorous and predatory creatures.

More this birdconsidered a harbinger of evil. After all, crows, trying to find food for themselves, dig in the ground, contacting it. But at the same time, these birds can fly. Therefore, in mythology they are called intermediaries between heaven, earth and the underworld. And due to the fact that these birds are able to peck out the eyes of the victim, they were often associated with a bloody bat.

In Slavic culture

The interpretation of the raven symbol can be positive. In Slavic mythology, this bird was considered a wise helper and faithful companion of the god Varuna, the supreme guardian of justice and the arbiter of human destinies. If he decided that a suddenly deceased person had not yet completed the work he had begun, then he sent a raven to the soul of the deceased, so that he would return him to life.

The crow was also called an assistant in travel and a fortune teller, because he was able to reproduce human speech. In many myths, it was the raven that brought messages from the world of spirits.

Also, this bird was often associated with the sun and light. People believed that its black plumage gives the raven the ability to withstand close contact with the luminary. However, there is another interesting explanation for such an amazing and uniform color. It was believed that this raven painted all the other birds, and turned black.

Religious aspect

A very interesting meaning is attributed to the crow in Buddhism. It is believed that this bird personifies Dharmapala, the protector of Buddhist teachings. There is one interesting legend, which is the basis for believing so. They say that when the first Dalai Lama was born, his family was attackedrobbers. And the parents ran away before they could get to the baby. When they returned in fear the next morning, they found the house untouched. And the child was sleeping, surrounded by a dense ring of ravens, guarding him.

In the Bible, this bird is not considered something good. It is believed that Noah released her from the ark so that she would bring news about the state of the earth. The bird did not fulfill the instructions, choosing the will and starting to eat carrion around the ark. Noah cursed the raven, due to which he acquired a black color and became the personification of the forces of hell.

In Judaism, this bird is considered a spirit close to sorcerers and witches.

About intelligence

Everyone knows that the raven is a symbol of wisdom. And they think so not without reason.

There is a logical explanation for the intelligence of this bird. In captivity, they can live up to 100 years, and everyone knows that wisdom comes with age. But the period of their life in freedom is 3-4 times less. Although earlier people believed that these birds could live up to 300 years.

Crows also have high learning abilities. Birds do not quarrel among themselves, besides, they get along well with other animals. And if a raven sees a hunter, then he follows him, knowing that he can count on food. By the way, in some explanations of the wisdom of this bird there is a reference to its shade. Black represents the mind, intellect, power, superiority and reflection.

Ravens are also perceived as a symbol of wisdom because in many myths and fairy tales they were assistants to sorcerers and sorcerers. They revealed secret knowledge. And inIn the German-Scandinavian mythology, for example, the assistants of the supreme god Odin were two ravens, which were his eyes and ears - they flew around the world and reported to the ruler about all the events in the world.

Other values

Well, as you could already understand, the raven is a really ambiguous symbol. It is a natural non-heraldic emblem, representing longevity and forethought.

The black raven is a symbol that is always depicted only in this color scheme. And entirely, including the beak, claws, tongue and weapons. Most often, he is depicted standing, ready to take off or fight. The raven can often be seen on German or Scandinavian coats of arms, but in Russian heraldry it is extremely rare. Which is not surprising, because it was already said earlier that he personifies evil spirits, hell and evil spirits. But on the other hand, the raven can often be seen on the family coats of arms of the descendants of the Vikings and Danes, because it personifies greatness.

You can still tell a lot about the symbolic meaning of this bird. It will take more than a dozen pages. This is a truly unique character. And the fact that it is found in every culture is the best confirmation of this.