owl
A nocturnal bird of prey with large eyes and a flat face.
[C] Countable
pl: owls
The word carries a strong dualism in human perception. In many Western cultures, it is the primary symbol of wisdom and scholarly pursuit, often appearing in academic iconography to represent deep knowledge and vigilance.
Conversely, in various other global traditions, the bird is viewed as an omen of death or bad luck. This creates a tension between the image of the learned sage and the eerie, silent predator of the night.
Refers to the individual birds of the Strigidae family.