Content-Type: |
TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII |
Sender: |
|
Subject: |
|
From: |
|
Date: |
Wed, 26 Apr 2000 09:49:32 -0700 |
In-Reply-To: |
<011701bfaf5f$558cada0$a3696420@n4r2h6> |
MIME-Version: |
1.0 |
Reply-To: |
|
Parts/Attachments: |
|
|
I haven't had luck yet in finding that particular quote,
but as to the owl representing wisdom in the European
world, Chaucer called the owl "That prophete...of wo & of
myschaunce" in _Philomene_
>
> >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
> >
----------------------
Vincent Lyon
[log in to unmask]
=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:
The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).
If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).
|
|
|