Associated Holidays

All Halloween-like and Halloween related Holidays

Key Points / Halloween Connection

- Companions of gods, familiars to witches, symbols of wisdom and witchcraft and messengers between the living and the dead

Brief Bio

Owls are associated with Halloween due to their nocturnal nature, haunting calls, and historical symbolism linking them to death, magic, and the supernatural. Their silent flight and piercing stare create a sense of mystery, while their historical reputation as messengers between the living and the dead, especially during ancient festivals like the precursor to Halloween, solidified their connection to the holiday. Ancient beliefs about owls predicting death or being familiars of witches also contribute to their spooky image.

 

Historical and Symbolic Reasons for the Association

Messengers of the Spirit World: In ancient Celtic traditions, owls were seen as messengers that could travel between the physical and spiritual realms. During Samhain, the festival marking the beginning of winter, the veil between the living and the dead was believed to be thin, and owls were thought to act as conduits.

Omens of Death: Across various cultures, the owl's hoot was considered an omen of death, leading to the belief that their screech indicated that someone was about to die.

Association with Witchcraft and Magic: Romans believed that witches could transform into owls, and this belief was reinforced by owls' nocturnal habits and association with the night. In many cultures, "witchbird" is a common name for an owl.

Connection to the Supernatural: The owl's appearance, with large eyes and silent, stealthy flight, makes it a creature of the night, which is inherently associated with the mystery and fear of the unknown that permeates Halloween.

Symbol of Wisdom vs. the Supernatural: While also a symbol of wisdom in Greek and Roman mythology (as the companion of Athena, goddess of wisdom), this symbolism has long been paired with their more ominous traits.

Lunar Cycles: Owls are more active during the night, especially during the full moon, which is a prominent symbol of Halloween