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The RAVEN

Culturally

The raven is a mysterious bird. Due to their deep dark nature, they are often used to symbolize death and decay. Many cultures use them to represent mystical darkness and deep magic. Here we will go over a few of the common reasons the Raven is used in literature over the years. 

Greek Mythology

In Greek Mythology, the Raven is the messenger of Apollo. The original Raven was pure white. But when Apollo sent the bird to spy on his unfaithful wife, he became enraged that his trusty messenger did not peck out the eyes of his wife's new partner. So he cursed the bird, turning its feathers jet black, and causing it to be a bird of destruction. 

Native American

In Native American culture, the Raven is seen as a shapeshifting spiritual entity, sent to deceive people and trick them into death. When the bird lands near you, it is said that you are either so good that evil spirits are trying to trap you, or you are on such a bad path that you will never get out of it. Either way, the bird is seen as a curse. 

Norse Mythology

In both Celtic and Norse mythology, the raven is seen as a guide from the living to the dead. The raven is an agent of the war goddess and draws people from life to death. 

Hindu belief

In Hinduism, the raven is seen as a messenger from the dead. When a loved one dies, the raven is fed the deceased favorite food. If the raven eats it, the deceased is at rest. If the raven refuses the food, then the soul of the person is in turmoil. 

Edgar Allen Poe

In the great poem 'The Raven', Edgar Allen Poe uses the raven as a symbol of his grief. He says that the raven ascended out of "Night's Plutonian Shore," referring to the underworld. The raven represents the subjects grief over the loss of his love Lenore. 

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