In Greek mythology, the owl was sacred to Athena and became a symbol of wisdom.
The bird was especially associated with the little owl, Athene noctua, whose scientific name honors the goddess. Ancient Greek coins from Athens often showed Athena’s head on one side and an owl on the other, along with an olive branch. The owl’s ability to see at night helped connect it with knowledge and perception.
Athena was the Olympian goddess of wisdom, strategic warfare, crafts, and civic protection. Her major sanctuary stood on the Acropolis of Athens, a city that regarded her as its patron deity. The owl therefore became not only a religious emblem but also a civic symbol of Athens.
The owl should not be confused with Athena’s other major emblem, the olive tree, which represented the gift she offered Athens in the contest with Poseidon. The eagle, by contrast, was more strongly associated with Zeus, while the peacock was linked with Hera.