Associated Holidays

All Halloween-like and Halloween related Holidays

Key Points / Halloween Connection

- Scavengers who were pets of Morrígan a Samhain goddess

- Viewed as souls of the murdered or the damned

Rink Fact: Their place in American folklore was secured due to the popularity of Edgar Allan Poe's poem, "The Raven"

Brief Bio

Ravens are associated with Halloween because of their ties to death, the supernatural, and sorrow in various mythologies and literature. Folklore connects them to war goddesses like the Morrígan, while their scavenger nature links them to death and decay. The association is further cemented by Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven," which cemented the bird's image as a dark omen of despair and is a key influence in modern Halloween imagery. 

Mythological and Folkloric Connections

Death and War: In Celtic lore, ravens were linked to the goddess of war and death, the Morrígan, and were seen on battlefields.

Supernatural Messengers: Norse mythology viewed Odin's ravens, Huginn and Muninn, as symbols of thought and memory that brought him knowledge from the world.

Ghosts and Damned Souls: In some European folklore, ravens are seen as the ghosts of murdered people or as representations of the damned. 

Literary and Cultural Connections

"The Raven": Edgar Allan Poe's famous poem cemented the raven's association with Halloween, portraying it as a harbinger of sorrow and despair for a grieving narrator.

Appearance: Their sleek black feathers and sharp eyes contribute to an eerie and mysterious reputation, making them a natural fit for Halloween decorations and themes.

Modern usage: The connection continues today in Halloween-themed products, parties, and stories.