Crow Symbolism: A Complete Guide

crows are family members Corvidae, also known as the crow. Corvidae include many predominantly black birds such as crows, crows, jackdaws, jays, magpies, rooks, treedrows, choughs, and nutcrackers, which are sometimes collectively referred to as crows.

Ravens play an important role in human mythology and have been in folklore for thousands of years. Since crows and ravens are similar and belong to the same genus Corvus, their roles in symbolism overlap considerably. Still, they’re not the same bird, and many types of corvids do have different symbology.

These birds are known for their extraordinary intelligence and have been the focus of numerous studies of animal cognition. Adding to their fascinating status, research has shown that crows are not only good at problem solving, but also capable of complex abstract thinking.

Here is a guide to crow symbolism.

Different types of crows (Corvids), symbolizing many different things

What does the crow symbolize?

In modern western culture, the raven symbolizes death, the afterlife, wisdom, intelligence, resilience, foresight, wealth, destiny, transformation and the future. The symbolism of ravens can be both positive and negative, and they are seen as good and bad omens, depending on where in the world you are.

But it is worth noting that crows (especially crows) have rich symbolic meaning in almost all cultures and societies around the world, including ancient Mesopotamia, Mesoamerica, Greece, Rome, India and South Asia, Northern Europe, Pacific, Celtic, Medieval European, Christian and modern Western cultures.

French anthropologist Claude Levi-Strauss hypothesized that crows achieved mythical status because they mediate between life and death by eating the flesh of dead animals. These scavengers are often seen at the side of death, and combined with their intelligent behavior, they have captured the human imagination.

Crows are rich in symbolism in almost every culture in the world

die

Death is one of the most common denominators of crow symbolism. Crows, ravens, and many other crows are scavengers that appear alongside dead animals, so they are often associated with death itself.

Serbian and other old European writings and poems often refer to ravens as symbols of death. For example, in Swedish folklore ravens are the ghosts of those murdered without a proper Christian burial, while in old German stories they are seen as the spirits of the dead.

In Celtic folklore and mythology, ravens are associated with Morrigan, the goddess of death and war, and guardians of the natural environment. In Welsh mythology, ravens and ravens are associated with the god of war, Brân the Blessed, meaning “crow” or “crow”.

In Central Asian folklore, such as the Yakut mythology of Turkey, crows are seen as demons of death, war and violence.

After the battle, crows and other crows flock here to eat the flesh of the dead. It is often said that wherever death goes, crows follow.

A pair of jackdaws perched on a tombstone

Foresight, fortune telling and being a messenger

Crows and crows are often associated with foresight, fortune telling, or the future. For example, the Norse god Odin sacrificed one eye for wisdom and replaced it with the sight of two ravens, Huginn and Muninn, who flew across the world and carried messages to him. Their names roughly translate to “thought” and “memory”.

They are also associated with the Greek god Apollo, who sent a white raven as a messenger. Apollo sent the white crow to watch her along with his lover Colonis. The crow watched Koronis fall in love with a man named Iskis, and Apollo cursed Koronis when he learned of it, and burned the feathers of the white crow, turning them black.

In native or Aboriginal mythology in the United States and Canada, such as the Kwakiutl or Kwakwaka’wakw of British Columbia, ravens are used in divination rituals.

In the Bible, ravens are often considered messengers. In the Old Testament, ravens are depicted as Noah’s helpers. Genesis 8:6-7 reads;

“After forty days Noah opened the window which he had made in the ark, and let out a crow, and the crow flew back and forth till the water on the ground dried up.”

The bible also mentions the resilience, strength, survival and uncleanness of crows. Judaism considers ravens and ravens to be dark and unclean because of their proximity to death.

common raven in flight

crow intelligence

Crows and crows were often associated with intelligence long before we had empirical evidence of how smart they were.

Our knowledge of crow intelligence dates back to the slave and storyteller Aesop who lived in ancient Greece around 620 BC and 564 BC. Aesop’s short story “The Crow and the Jug” tells of a thirsty crow throwing stones into a jug until the water level rises enough to drink. This is a fairly accurate portrayal of a crow’s intelligence.

In Native American and Indian folklore, ravens and crows are also associated with wisdom and wisdom. For example, in Hindu mythology, a crow called Kakabhusandi sits on the branch of a wish-fulfilling tree called Kalpataru, while another crow is blessed by Lord Rama to have foresight.

Crows are also mentioned in Buddhism, especially Tibetan Buddhism, where the protector deity known as Mahakala (Dharmapala) is represented by a crow in one of his earthly forms.

Hooded crow looking for food in a field in spring

raven in british folklore

According to British legend, if the crow at the Tower of London dies or is removed, the kingdom of England falls. According to legend for centuries, there are six crows in the tower.

Charles II allegedly ordered its removal following a complaint from Astronomer Royal John Flamsteed. The legend was told to Charles, who decided against it and moved the Royal Observatory to Greenwich.

During World War II, most of the crows in the tower died of shock, leaving the last couple called “Mabel” and “Grip”. Mabel then flew away, to Grip’s dismay, before he flew away on his own, leaving no crows behind. Many newspapers have quoted this legend.

Soon after, the British Empire disintegrated and disintegrated, and many believed the legend to be credible. In 1946, the Ravenmaster housed and cared for a new raven.

Closeup of an American Crow feeding at low tide

crow spiritual meaning

In modern spiritualism, ravens and crows are seen to symbolize transformation, foresight, destiny, wisdom, fearlessness, mystery, flexibility, adaptability, and foresight. They also have some negative connotations such as manipulation, deceit, bad luck and mischief. As totemic animals, ravens and crows evoke mystery, resilience, wisdom and magic.

Noticing crows and crows in daily life is said to evoke spiritual transformation, adaptation and change. People say noticing a crow or crow should prompt a person to consider changing their life or taking a new risk.

Crows are associated with death, so they are often seen as a bad omen. For example, seeing a flock of crows near your home could mean cruel death or bad luck. However, the overwhelming sentiment behind the crow in modern spiritualism is positive.

American crow in flight

see crow and black cat together

Black cats are sometimes seen as harbingers of bad luck or death. They have become associated with Halloween and witchcraft. Ravens are seen as magical and also associated with death. Seeing two people together is said to create magical attraction and may symbolize death, ancestors and the future.

Watch the crow and the magpie together

Both crows and magpies are members of the Corvidae family and are often seen together because they are both diurnal scavengers with similar habitats.

There is nothing particularly symbolic about these two birds together, but in Chinese culture, the crow symbolizes bad luck and deceit. There is a Chinese saying: “It is better to be an honest crow than a cunning magpie”.

Magpies are considered lucky charms, so this proverb suggests that it’s better to be honest, though.

jackdaw perched on branch

What does it mean when a crow crosses your path?

In places where crows are common, you will likely cross their paths frequently. Spiritualists say that encountering crows heralds changes to come, and that their presence gives you time to prepare for what lies ahead.

On the positive side, this change can be powerful, profound, and life-changing, bringing you closer to your destiny. On the negative side, change can be dark and unwelcome, such as misfortune or death.

If you found the meaning of the crow feather?

Some say bird feathers are gifts from angels. Raven feathers are sometimes thought to represent dark magic, death and the unknown.

if a crow appears in your dream

A crow in a dream symbolizes upcoming change, adaptability, wisdom, wisdom and acceptance. But they are also said to represent shadow selves, for example, a person’s darker alter ego that embodies feelings of shame, guilt or self-loathing.

It is often said that recognizing crows and ravens in our lives awakens our need for change that is beyond our control and out of our control.

Close-up of a magpie perched on a branch

crows as spirit animals

Ravens, as spirit or totemic animals, are advocates of change and transition. Their presence and knowledge of the future help us get in touch with our innermost desires and help us realize our destiny.

If you are related to crows or ravens, you are an intelligent person with excellent instincts. Spiritualists say that crows and ravens encourage us to look to the future, to be brave to change, to take risks, and to move forward in life with honesty and resilience.