Athena Greek Owl Wisdom Symbol

In Greek mythology, owls became symbols of knowledge in the West because they were the companion animal of Athena, the goddess of wisdom. Ancient Athenians stamped the bird on coins and pottery, and they associated its large eyes and nocturnal sight with keen perception and clear thinking. Over time, Latin writers and later European artists repeated this pairing of Athena and her owl, turning it into a stock emblem of learning. The exact origins of why the owl was first linked to Athena remain unclear.

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