A History question about owls and gallows

nightowl57 · #1 (**permalink**) 30-06-2010, 05:15 PM

In our market square we have the county court building over looking the square, it was pointed out to me last night there is a small statue of an owl in one of the windows of the court building looking out towards the clock tower which is said to be the site of the gallows, I was told by the person showing me the owl that where ever there are gallows there would have been a statue of an owl nearby. Has anyone else heard this story? Many thanks

faz · #2 (**permalink**) 30-06-2010, 06:07 PM

no never heard that one

TeresaW · #3 (**permalink**) 30-06-2010, 06:11 PM

I haven't heard that one, but owls have always been associated with death so it's not unreasonable that at least on a local level some folklore might surround owls and gallows.

The romans feared the owl, and hearing one hoot would mean imminent death. The only way round it was to find the owl and kill it, nailing it on your door.

Methinks we're lucky to have owls 2000 years on!

nightowl57 · #4 (**permalink**) 30-06-2010, 06:16 PM

Many thanks for your replies, maybe I will get in touch with the local history society and see if it just a local piece of folklore, but thanks again for taking the time to answer..

AshLee · #5 (**permalink**) 30-06-2010, 07:15 PM

In Celtic mythology, the owl is often a guide to and through the "Underworld", a creature of keen sight in darkness, and a silent and swift hunter. It can help unmask those who would deceive or take advantage. Pretty adept at dealing with the "evil spirit" of someone that has just been hung, I should imagine.

To the ancient Welsh people, the owl was a night predator, the only bird capable of defeating the falcon and then only at dusk, its time of power. The owl symbolizes death and renewal, wisdom, night-time magic, and initiations. In Welsh mythology, the Goddess Arianrhod shape shifts into a large owl, and through the great owl-eyes, sees even into the darkness of the human subconscious and soul. She is said to move with strength and purpose through the night, her wings of comfort and healing spread to give solace to those who seek her. So again, there is suggestion of the owl's ability to communicate with the spirit world, but also a belief in its ability to do good. Possibly there is something compassionate in the carving of the owl near to the gallows. Not just damning the dead spirit to hell, but offering comfort to a repentant or, god forbid, an innocent spirit?

It interests me that you don't seem to be able to Google the answer to this question. Another line of thought is that the owl seems to be a major Illuminati symbol. So now we are into the realms of secret societies. Masons? The very people that might have designed and carved stone statues of owls? It's tempting to speculate that there is a connection somehow. And a hidden symbolism that may never be revealed.

I'd love to see some pictures of those owl statues that the person showing you around was referring to, nightowl57. Fascinating stuff.

Jim Ford · #6 (**permalink**) 30-06-2010, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AshLee

It interests me that you don't seem to be able to Google the answer to this question.

You can, but it comes up with umpteen hits relating to a pop group!

I might have another try.

Jim

nightowl57 · #7 (**permalink**) 04-07-2010, 09:53 PM

I'd love to see some pictures of those owl statues that the person showing you around was referring to, nightowl57. Fascinating stuff.[/quote]

Many thanks Ashlee, really fascinating, I really enjoyed reading the celtic mythology I will certainly try and take a photo of the owl, although it is small, and I have a small compact camera!, and the building is the county court so I may get arrested!!

I know there are Masons in my town, I once worked a night where they had a function and it was weird the separating doors were closed and curtains closed, with the doors guarded so we didn't go peeking!

I will get the pics as soon as I can for you, and pm them to you, once again many thanks

posie · #8 (**permalink**) 04-07-2010, 10:19 PM

..Hi Nightowl,...google Leeds Owl Trail...

...also...the Owl is a Civic Symbol..

...also...owl statues in some cases are to keep pigeons off buildings, as a sort of 'scarecrow' or rather 'scarepigeon'.

Posie..

nightowl57 · #9 (**permalink**) 04-07-2010, 10:26 PM

Thanks for reply, posie, this particular owl is tucked in the corner of a very large window, it would be too small to scare off other birds, unless you know it is there it is very hard to see!

Cotham Marble · #10 (**permalink**) 05-07-2010, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightowl57

I was told by the person showing me the owl that where ever there are gallows there would have been a statue of an owl nearby.

Given that most County records are replete with disputes and complaints about the costs of keeping the various gallows in good order, and even of providing the rope on hanging day, I can't see there ever having been much enthusiasm for purchasing statuary. I think this is a case of 'backward' invention - the significance of the existence of an owl statue in one place that happens to be near a location where at one time a gallows is reported to have stood (for how long ? a day ? a year ?) is explained by all gallows having to have an owl statue.

Throw in another large bowl of fancy - the Ancient Celts, and the even bigger silliness of Masonary and we have a ready made mythology. It only needs someone to write this up on Wikipedia and it'll be the truth, and the plotline for Dan Brown's next book.

CM