WHEN YOU
LOOK
Western Bluebird
The Snowy Owl: Ideals Exemplified
When You look at this snowy owl, you see the human ideal
The snowy owl, a strong hunter, a powerful figure, and a confident provider, represents so much of what the human race strives for; it is powerful yet graceful, it is strong yet patient, observant and mysterious, beautiful and deadly. Each of these simple words represents an idealistic yearning for a greater way of being, and for millennia, humanity has strived toward these ideals in one way or another.
Bubo Scandiacus, The Snowy Owl
Bubo Scandiacus, the Snowy Owl, cuts a majestic figure, with beautiful white feathers often barred with black and brown. Males are almost entirely white, with very little barrage, while females are more heavily barred, with striking patterns of black and brown mixed in with the white. Adolescents are also more heavily barred, both male and female, however young males eventually lose most of the barrage. Some older males may even become entirely white
A Snowy Owl in Flight
Throughout history, owls have been revered and respected. The ancient Egyptians and the Romans viewed it as an omen of death. For the Greeks, it was the symbol of Athena, goddess of war and wisdom. Many Native American tribes shared a variety of these beliefs, and the Inuit people of the arctic name the snowy owl “Ookpik” in their legends. These legends range from the absurd to the inspiring.
Inuit "Ookpik" Toy
By far the most prevalent depiction of the snowy owl today is that of Hedwig in Harry Potter. Through both the novels and the movies, Hedwig is a constant in Harry’s life, following him everywhere, through every challenge, his highest highs and lowest lows. Throughout the series, this beautiful white creature stands as a symbol of freedom, innocence, and grace.
Hedwig, in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
So when in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows, in a flash of green light, Hedwig is killed, falling cold and limp to a motorway somewhere in Britain, it signals the end of innocence in the novels, an end to the childish invincibility of youth, and the move to much more mature, darker themes. Yet with her death, she teaches us about love, sacrifice, devotion, and beauty. These are the ideals that the snowy owl represents.
Hedwig's Death in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows
All of this taken together, the mythology, the physiology and the culture, paint a picture of a bird that transcends human ideals, standing as a near perfect picture of what humans for centuries have strived for. Who knew that Hedwig, the fictional animal companion of a young boy named Harry Potter so perfectly represented the aspirations of humanity?
Created by Jaxon Miller
The Snowy Owl in the Orma J. Smith Natural History Museum