Yes, but that's the Western Civ. tradition--I believe the owl was a
harbinger of death in certain Native American traditions.  I personally have
an Eskimo print from the 70s, though, called "Owl Woman," in which the owl
looms behind a woman's head.

Carolyn Breedlove

-----Original Message-----
From: Harold Needham <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Wednesday, April 26, 2000 2:52 PM
Subject: Re: the owl (of Minerva)


>The owl is a beast associated with the possession of wisdom, hence its
>frequent use in heraldry to this end. In legend, the owl is associated with
>the Roman goddess Minerva, goddess of wisdom. The owl is also the emblem of
>Athens, where owls abound, according to Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and
>Fable, hence the owl is associated with the goddess Athena, the Athenian
>version of Minerva.
>
>The phrase you mention is actually used to describe hindsight. "The owl of
>Minerva spreads its wings only with the coming of dusk.", i.e., too late to
>be useful. I do not know the origin of the expression.
>
>Harry
>
>"Solemnity is the shield of idiots"
>
>               -  Montesquieu, "Pensées et jugements" (1899)
>
>Harry Needham, M.A., CFE, etc.
>President
>Harry Needham Consulting Services Inc.
>Training & consulting services for heritage institutions - and others!
>74 Abbeyhill Drive
>Kanata, Ontario K2L 1H1
>Canada
>email: [log in to unmask]
>(Voice) +1.613.831-1068
>(Fax) +1.613.831-9412
>----- Original Message -----
>From: deChadenedes, Marcia <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2000 10:20 AM
>Subject: the owl
>
>
>> A couple of years ago there was a discussion regarding some script over a
>> bar "the owl flies at dusk". I found it fascinating, can't recall the
>> details and would love to refer to it in context. Could someone please
>> refresh my memory -- the location, possible reference to a Greek goddess,
>> taken from a longer piece of prose?
>> Thanks very much.
>>
>> Marcia deChadenedes
>>
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