Ebony feathers and a gleaming black stare: Even without the myth and superstition surrounding these birds, seeing the raven as a harbinger for evil and doom is effortless. The superstition of these birds supports the eerie feeling they arouse.
Not only is the sight of a raven considered an ill omen to some, but the sound is as well, especially if it is heard from the left. People don’t like being faced with their own mortality. One look at the raven, and an ominous, foreboding feeling follows. Let’s explore why this innocent and intelligent bird evokes this emotion. As with all superstitions, it is a matter of conditioning.
Some believe that the raven is the spirit of King Arthur, or at least that King Arthur visits this world in the form of a raven. Because of this, folk beliefs in places like Wales and Cornwall held that ravens should never be killed. They also believed that if the blind were kind to a raven, they would be given their sight. The fact that ravens munch the eyeballs of the dead may have had something to do with this idea. Supposedly, eating eyeballs assists in superior powers of sight. It could happen. A raven perching on a house also brings prosperity.
Other folklores regard the raven much more highly. Hugin and Munin (Norse mythology) reported to Odin daily from their adventures around the world. The Irish believed ravens to be messengers of the gods, and what they said was truth. Alexander the Great also had a divine experience when two ravens guided him across barren lands.
The reverence that the Norse had for the raven contributed to the fearful aspect of the bird because the marauding Norsemen in the ninth and tenth centuries used images of the birds on their banners. In the UK, children are threatened if they are naughty. The devil bird, as it is known, will carry them away if they do not improve their behavior. These children should not steal a raven’s eggs as this is said to cause a baby to die.
Surely these folklores do not continue on today. They can’t be more than a story to scare children into minding their manners... something like Knecht Ruprecht in German mythology (St. Nikolas’s pal). For over 900 years, the Tower of London has housed ravens. If they ever leave the tower, it is said that the tower will fall. The tower is connected to the crown, the crown to the country, and so on. If the ravens leave, the country shall surely ruin. Contrary-wise, in Scotland, a raven circling a house predicts the death of someone within.
Sure, when the raven calls near the freshly dead, it sounds like, “corpse, corpse.” But, why are they drawn to the deceased? Scientists believe they are drawn to decaying flesh because of their strong sense of smell.
The raven is also said to be the favorite disguise of the devil. It seems as if many writers agree. Stephen King is notorious for using the raven in his stories. The raven was also made famous by the aptly named “The Raven” by Edgar Allen Poe. Similarly, Black House, a novel by King and Straub also features a talking bird like that of Poe’s. William Shakespeare refers to the raven more than any other bird (see Othello and MacBeth). The raven is seen in Dickens’, Marlowe’s plays, and in The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. Among other dark birds, ravens are also featured in The Birds by Alfred Hitchcock. Ever seen the iconic scene of the merciless attack in that movie? No? Go watch it…
The calm before the bird storm.
Disney’s Maleficent has a pet raven in Sleeping Beauty, and Johnny Depp, in The Lone Ranger is also seen throughout the film wearing a raven headdress. It’s not hard to make the connection. I wonder what the raven would think about the prejudices we have. Would he be proud of his fame, sticking his bust out proudly, or would he feel like maybe he wants a second chance to give an impression? I guess people deal with this as well, but that’s a topic for another day. Back to the bird:
Ravens are also known to be able to predict the future, or at least people can use them to see ahead. If one raven is seen, sadness is in store, but if two are seen, happy days lie ahead. Even better, if you see three ravens, there will be a marriage. Then comes four… and a baby. This is a rare belief, however, and most believe seeing them means something unfortunate is coming. More surrounding myths include: ravens flying towards the sun are a sign of fine weather. A preening raven means there will be rain, and birds that crash into one another signal a coming war.
Sure, maybe the way we view the bird isn’t fair, but let me solidify the superstition in your mind anyway…
"The Raven"
Edgar Allen Poe
And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,
And the lamplight o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the
floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted–nevermore!
The raven: the sleek, beautiful supernatural messenger and omen of death and terror.
Written by Amber R. Hiles
@hiles_amber
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