I like owls, and you?

Perhaps by influence of my summer readings (I'm reading all Harry Potter's books), I find some interest in owls. Throughout history, they have been present in many cultures and therefore they've symbolized many different things: dread, knowledge, wisdom, death... From North American Cherokees to Russia, going through Mexico and Australia, owls have played diverse and fascinating roles in myths and legends.

I hope you'll like reading some of them:

Australia: Aborigines believe bats represent the souls of men and Owls the souls of women. Owls are therefore sacred, because your sister is an Owl - and the Owl is your sister.

Celtic: the Owl was a sign of the underworld.

Ireland: An Owl that enters the house must be killed at once, for if it flies away it will take the luck of the house with it.

Malaya: Owls eat new-born babies.

Samoa: the people are descended from an Owl.

Shetland Isles: a cow will give bloody milk if scared by an Owl.

Siberia: the Owl is a helpful spirit.

Sumeria: The goddess of death, Lilith, was attended by Owls.

Transylvania: farmers used to scare away Owls by walking round their fields naked.

Wales: an Owl heard among houses means an unmarried girl has lost her virginity.If a woman is pregnant and she alone hears an owl hoot outside her house at night then her child will be blessed.