The raven is a common symbol in literature, often portrayed as an omen or harbinger of doom. But looking deeper, the raven can impart important moral lessons related to themes of loss, grief, memory, wisdom, and human folly. Exploring the deeper symbolism of the raven reveals insights into human nature and morality.
The Raven as a Symbol of Loss
One of the most well-known literary ravens is the raven in Edgar Allan Poe’s narrative poem “The Raven.” In this Gothic tale, the raven visits a grieving lover who has lost his beloved Lenore. The raven taunts the protagonist with its constant refrain of “Nevermore,” driving home the message that Lenore is gone and will return “nevermore.” This highlights the raven as a symbol of loss, grief, and mortality.
The moral lesson here is that loss and grief are inevitable parts of the human experience. No matter how much we wish to regain what we have lost or turn back time, some things are beyond our control. Learning to accept loss and find meaning in life after loss is an essential human task. The raven teaches us that we must acknowledge and work through our grief in order to continue living.
The Raven as a Symbol of Memory
While the raven in Poe’s poem is a messenger of loss, it also acts as a memory trigger for the narrator, bringing vivid memories of Lenore to the surface. This highlights how powerfully memory is linked to loss and grief. Even years later, memories can still resurface and bring back the pain of grief.
The moral lesson here is that those we love become inextricably part of us. Though they may be physically gone, they live on through our memories and connections. The raven is a reminder to honor those we have lost by holding space for grief while also embracing our memories. Remembering those we have lost keeps their spirit alive in us.
The Raven as a Trickster and Messenger
In many Native American stories and myths, the raven takes on the archetypal role of the trickster—a mischievous creature who disrupts norms and brings about transformation. The raven as trickster acts as a messenger between this world and the spirit world. By acting outside conventional rules and wisdom, the raven trickster reveals moral lessons about human folly.
The moral lesson is that the raven trickster teaches us flexibility. We cannot become too rigid about the rules we construct. Sometimes disruption forces a change that leads to wisdom. The raven also teaches us to be attentive to messages from other realms. There are many truths beyond our literal understanding. Expanding our consciousness allows us to transform.
The Raven as a Symbol of Prophecy and Omens
Along with its role as a trickster, the raven is a rich symbol of prophecy, omens, and premonition. Seeing or hearing a raven was often thought to foretell the future, usually signifying an impending death or disaster. This imbues the raven with a sense of foreboding and fate.
The moral lesson is that the future is never entirely knowable to us. We cannot control what will come. However, we can choose how we respond. Do we cower in fear of impending catastrophe, or do we accept what we cannot change? The raven teaches us to strike a balance between surrendering to the mystery of life while also living purposefully for today.
The Raven Paradox: Wisdom and Folly
In many myths, the raven is portrayed as wise yet foolish. The raven often appears counselling the hero, sharing its wisdom and warning of dangers. Yet the raven also sometimes acts foolishly, going after baubles and treasures out of avarice. This mix of wisdom and folly creates an engaging paradox.
The moral is that within each of us exists contradictions – light and shadow, wisdom and folly. All humans have some destructive tendencies, yet we are also capable of immense insight and clarity. By acknowledging our own contradictions, we can learn from the raven to integrate our wholeness.
Key Examples of the Raven in Literature
Here are some other key examples of the raven appearing in literature and mythology:
- In Greek mythology, the god Apollo used a raven to spy on his lover. When the raven informed Apollo his lover was being unfaithful, Apollo scorched the raven feathers black as punishment for delivering bad news, which is why ravens are black today.
- In the epic poem “Paradise Lost,” a raven perches near Satan as he conspires to tempt Adam and Eve. The raven represents Satan’s sinister plot.
- In the novel “Game of Thrones,” ravens are used to deliver messages between kings and queens in Westeros. The ravens represent the spread of knowledge.
- In Norse mythology, the god Odin had two raven companions named Hugin and Munin (“thought” and “memory”). The ravens kept Odin informed of events in the world.
Examining the meaningful roles ravens play across world mythology and literature reveals the layers of symbolism and moral lessons these clever birds offer.
Conclusion
The raven is more than just a foreboding black bird – it is a powerful archetypal symbol that teaches about human nature and mortality. Digging into the raven’s symbolic meanings reveals insights about life, loss, memory, wisdom, folly, fate, and prophecy. Learning to see past the raven’s ominous surface and appreciate its deeper teachings is part of unlocking the rich trove of symbols and lessons from ancient myths and literature. Next time you encounter a raven, consider looking past your associations of doom and considering what hidden bit of wisdom this clever bird might impart.