The legends about owls are very different. Swan Lake makes the owl the enemy, while Greece makes the owl a symbol of wisdom.
The idea "wise old owl" probably came from the way they look and ancient history.
Owls have large, flat faces and slow movements of the head, all of which are just adaptations of nocturnal hunting, but which seem to make owls seem vaguely human.
The Greeks, who worship Athena, the goddess of wisdom, chose the owl to represent her.
Supposedly it was the owl who gave Athena the wisdom for which she is known and fameous for.
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This page is maintained by David L. Kaufman