Van Embden-Wolff, Odile
THE OWL AS A SYMBOL FROM ANCIENT TIMES
Utrecht, The Netherlands

Journal of Sandplay Therapy, Volume 17, Number 2, 2008

KEY WORDS: owl, life and death, symbol, Sandplay therapy, animal, bird, clinical examples.

ABSTRACT: The symbolic meaning of the owl can be found in prehistory. The owl symbolized the connection between death and rebirth. In antiquity the owl also became connected with worldly wisdom. Even today we still experience the symbolic connection of the owl with wisdom, but also with death and rebirth. After a short journey through the history of the symbolism of the owl from prehistory to current times, this article ends with three clinical examples.