Assignment : What is your idea of bliss? Is it an image of your family, laughing at the dinner table? A state of total relaxation, while lying on the beach? Your latest painting, drying on the canvas?
Today’s post is yet another Greek souvenir on my bookshelf – effectively combining my loves of travel and reading. Hence, bliss. This time I present a baby owl with bright blue eyes.
Athena, the patron goddess of the city of Athens, was often depicted with or represented by an owl in Greek mythology. The exact reasons for this have perhaps been lost forever in the sands of time. But Athena being the goddess of wisdom, the owl has now come to symbolize wisdom and knowledge. Perhaps it has something to do with their wide, piercing, all-knowing stare? Or the fact that owls can see in the dark? Or that they are keepers of the secrets of the night?
But in spite of their reputation for wisdom, owls do have some negative connotations too. Oddly enough the Hindi word for owl “ulloo” is used to represent a foolish person. Likewise in some cultures the hoot of an owl is said to predict the death of someone in the household. Ironic because so many cross stitch birth samplers seem to feature owls. Circle of life, huh?
Until next time folks… stay blessed!
