For thousands of years, certain animals have carried an air of mystery—creatures that move through the world in ways that feel almost supernatural. Among them, snakes, owls, and ravens stand at the center of occult symbolism. Their images appear in ancient myths, magical traditions, witchcraft lore, and modern spiritual practices across the world.
But why these animals?
What makes them so magnetic, so unsettling, and so spiritually charged?
This article explores the deep history, cultural symbolism, and magical associations behind these three iconic creatures of the occult.
Panaprium is independent and reader supported. If you buy something through our link, we may earn a commission. If you can, please support us on a monthly basis. It takes less than a minute to set up, and you will be making a big impact every single month. Thank you!
The Snake: Transformation, Forbidden Knowledge, and the Underworld
No animal has a richer or more complex occult history than the snake. Loved in some cultures, feared in others, the snake is the perfect embodiment of duality.
1. Shedding Skin: A Living Symbol of Rebirth
Snakes shed their skin in one dramatic piece, emerging renewed and glistening. Ancient cultures saw this as:
-
the cycle of death and rebirth
-
symbolic immortality
-
spiritual transformation
-
the shedding of old energy or identity
This made the snake a powerful symbol for initiations, personal transformation, and magical rebirth rituals.
2. Guardian of Secret Knowledge
In many myths, snakes guard hidden wisdom:
-
In Greek myth, the python guarded the oracle at Delphi.
-
In Egypt, the serpent Mehen protected the sun god Ra during his underworld journey.
-
In Hinduism, cosmic serpents represent divine knowledge and spiritual awakening.
The snake becomes a bridge between the physical world and mystical realms, making it a natural occult emblem.
3. Fear and Forbidden Power
In Western traditions influenced by the Bible, the snake becomes associated with:
-
temptation
-
forbidden knowledge
-
the breaking of boundaries
This connection with taboo wisdom—knowledge humans are “not supposed to have”—further cemented the snake’s role in occult imagery.
4. Underworld Connections
Snakes live close to the earth, disappearing into cracks, holes, and caves. Ancient people saw them as:
-
messengers of the underworld
-
protectors of the dead
-
guardians of ancestral spirits
This subterranean connection gave the snake a powerful place in rituals involving death, spirits, and shadow work.
The Owl: Night Vision, Prophecy, and Hidden Wisdom
Owls have long been symbols of the deep night—creatures that see what others cannot. This alone makes them perfect allies of the occult.
1. Masters of the Night
Owls thrive in darkness, quietly holding dominion over landscapes humans fear to enter. To ancient peoples, this meant:
-
they had access to unseen realms
-
they could see “beyond the veil”
-
they were messengers between worlds
Any creature that moves silently through darkness naturally becomes a symbol of mystery and magic.
2. The Owl of Athena: Wisdom and Insight
In Greece, the owl was sacred to Athena, goddess of wisdom and strategy. It came to represent:
-
higher knowledge
-
intellectual insight
-
spiritual observation
-
truth beneath illusion
Even today, the owl symbolizes the soul’s ability to “see through the dark.”
3. Omens and Prophecy
Because owls were often heard but not seen, ancient people believed their cries carried messages. In various cultures, owls were thought to:
-
announce death
-
warn of danger
-
deliver divine messages
-
reveal hidden truths
This prophetic aura made owls central figures in magical traditions focused on divination and clairvoyance.
4. Association with Witches and Night Spirits
During medieval times, owls were linked with witches and nocturnal magic. People believed:
-
witches could shapeshift into owls
-
owls carried the spirits of the dead
-
owls guided magical practitioners in the dark
This cemented the owl’s place as a familiar of the occult.
The Raven: Death, Shadow Magic, and the Voice of the Beyond
Ravens have an unmistakable presence. Intelligent, bold, and eerily human in their ability to mimic sounds, they have long been symbols of magic, mystery, and the supernatural.
1. Sacred Messengers in Myth
Ravens appear in spiritual traditions across the world:
-
Norse mythology: Odin’s ravens, Huginn and Muninn, bring him information from all realms.
-
Celtic lore: The Morrigan, goddess of war and fate, takes the shape of a raven.
-
Native American mythology: The raven is a creator, trickster, and teacher.
In every case, the raven is a communicator between worlds.
2. Intelligence That Feels Supernatural
Ravens use tools, solve puzzles, and recognize human faces. Ancient people saw this intelligence as:
-
evidence of magical insight
-
a sign of spiritual awareness
-
proof of their connection to gods or spirits
Their uncanny behaviors made them feel like watchers—beings who know more than they reveal.
3. Symbols of Death and the Afterlife
Ravens often appear around battlefields or sites of death. This led to associations with:
-
the soul’s journey
-
ancestral spirits
-
fate and destiny
-
shadow magic
Their presence at liminal moments—birth, death, transition—gave them a central place in occult symbolism.
4. The Voice of Omens
Ravens are vocal creatures, and their croaks and calls were interpreted as:
-
omens
-
warnings
-
messages from beyond
This made them essential for early forms of divination and spirit communication.
Why These Animals? The Occult Loves What Lives Between Worlds
Snakes, owls, and ravens all share a powerful common trait:
They live in liminal spaces—thresholds between the seen and unseen.
-
Snakes move between earth and underworld.
-
Owls move between night and day.
-
Ravens move between life and death.
They navigate worlds humans cannot, making them perfect symbols for magic, mystery, and spiritual transformation.
Across centuries and civilizations, these animals became powerful archetypes:
-
Snakes for transformation and hidden knowledge
-
Owls for wisdom and night vision
-
Ravens for prophecy and death’s mysteries
Their symbolism endures because these creatures challenge us. They unsettle us. They fascinate us. They remind us that the world is bigger, deeper, and more mysterious than we often believe.
Final Thoughts
Snakes, owls, and ravens did not become occult symbols by accident. Their behavior, their habitats, and their cultural roles have woven them into humanity’s spiritual imagination for millennia.
They are guardians of thresholds.
They are keepers of secrets.
They are guides into the unknown.
And as long as people seek meaning in the mysteries of life, these three creatures will continue to stand as powerful icons of the occult.
Was this article helpful to you? Please tell us what you liked or didn't like in the comments below.
About the Author: Alex Assoune
Alex Assoune (MS) is a global health and environmental advocate. He founded Panaprium to inspire others with conscious living, ethical, and sustainable fashion. Alex has worked in many countries to address social and environmental issues. He speaks three languages and holds two Master of Science degrees in Engineering from SIGMA and IFPEN schools.
What We're Up Against
Multinational corporations overproducing cheap products in the poorest countries.
Huge factories with sweatshop-like conditions underpaying workers.
Media conglomerates promoting unethical, unsustainable products.
Bad actors encouraging overconsumption through oblivious behavior.
- - - -
Thankfully, we've got our supporters, including you.
Panaprium is funded by readers like you who want to join us in our mission to make the world entirely sustainable.
If you can, please support us on a monthly basis. It takes less than a minute to set up, and you will be making a big impact every single month. Thank you.
RELATED ARTICLES
Tags
Top 5 Mistakes Beginners Make With Crypto Portfolios (And How to Avoid Them)
Managing a crypto portfolio can feel overwhelming for beginners. Even if you invest in stablecoins, staking, and yield farming, mistakes in tracking and rebalancing can reduce your returns or expose you... Read More
Beginner’s Crypto Portfolio: How to Allocate $1,000 Safely for Maximum Yield
If you’re new to crypto and have $1,000 to invest, the challenge isn’t just picking tokens—it’s building a portfolio that balances growth, passive income, and safety. Today, beginners have access to staking,... Read More
How to Start Earning Passive Income in Crypto: A Beginner’s Guide to Staking, Lending, and Yield Farming
Cryptocurrency isn’t just about buying low and selling high. For retail investors, crypto offers a powerful way to earn passive income, letting your digital assets work for you 24/7. Whether you’re... Read More
Djinn in Middle Eastern Myth: Spirits of Fire and Shadow
In the deserts, ruins, and unseen spaces of the Middle East dwell beings older than humanity—the djinn. Neither angels nor demons, djinn occupy a mysterious middle ground in Islamic and... Read More
What Is dYdX? A Complete Guide to the Leading DeFi Derivatives Exchange
Decentralized finance (DeFi) has revolutionized how people trade, lend, and borrow crypto. Among the standout platforms in this space is dYdX, a decentralized exchange (DEX) focused on derivatives and margin trading.... Read More
Alchemy in the Middle Ages: Spiritual Transformation Through Science
When modern readers hear the word alchemy, they often think of failed attempts to turn lead into gold. But for medieval alchemists, gold was never the true goal. Alchemy was a... Read More
Why Snakes, Owls, and Ravens Became Symbols of the Occult
For thousands of years, certain animals have carried an air of mystery—creatures that move through the world in ways that feel almost supernatural. Among them, snakes, owls, and ravens stand at... Read More
The Underworld Across Cultures: From Hades to Xibalba
Across civilizations, humanity has imagined realms beyond death—shadowy worlds where souls travel after life ends. These underworlds are not simply places of punishment. They are landscapes of judgment, transformation, memory,... Read More
Top 10 DeFi Protocols for Beginner Investors: Where to Earn Safely
Decentralized finance (DeFi) offers beginners numerous ways to earn yield, from staking and lending to yield farming. But with so many protocols, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Which platforms are reliable,... Read More
What Is Morpho? A Beginner’s Guide to the Decentralized Lending Protocol
In decentralized finance (DeFi), lending and borrowing platforms like Aave and Compound have long dominated the space. But a newer protocol called Morpho is redefining how crypto loans work by introducing... Read More
What Is Aave? A Beginner’s Guide to the Popular DeFi Lending Protocol
In the fast-growing world of decentralized finance (DeFi), Aave has emerged as one of the most widely used and respected protocols. With billions of dollars in total value locked (TVL), Aave... Read More
The Norns: Norse Goddesses of Fate and Destiny
In Norse mythology, even the gods are not free. Beneath the power of Odin and beyond the strength of Thor lies a deeper force—fate itself. At the center of this... Read More
Runes, Ogham, and Other Ancient Magical Alphabets
Long before writing was used primarily to record history or trade, it was believed to shape reality itself. Across the ancient world, certain alphabets were more than systems of communication—they were... Read More
The Origin of the Pentagram: From Ancient Symbol to Modern Magic
The pentagram is one of the most recognizable symbols in the world—a five-pointed star enclosed in a circle, often associated today with magic, witchcraft, and spiritual protection. But its history... Read More
What Is Compound? A Beginner’s Guide to the DeFi Lending Protocol
Decentralized finance (DeFi) has transformed how people lend, borrow, and earn interest on cryptocurrency. Among the pioneering platforms in this space is Compound, a protocol that allows users to lend crypto... Read More
Best Yield Aggregators on Ethereum Layer 2 Chains: Maximizing Returns While Minimizing Costs
Ethereum has long been the hub of decentralized finance (DeFi), hosting countless yield farming opportunities, lending protocols, and liquidity pools. But with Ethereum’s popularity comes high gas fees, especially for... Read More
Best Stablecoin Vault Yield Farming Strategies: Maximizing Returns Safely
Stablecoins are the backbone of DeFi yield farming. They combine capital preservation with earning potential, allowing investors to generate passive income without exposing themselves to the extreme volatility of cryptocurrencies like... Read More
How Talismans and Amulets Were Crafted in the Ancient World
Long before modern religion and science offered explanations for misfortune, illness, or danger, ancient people turned to talismans and amulets for protection and power. These objects were not decorative trinkets. They... Read More
The Hidden Magic of Ancient Rome: Household Spirits and Curse Tablets
When most people think of Ancient Rome, they imagine emperors, gladiators, and grand temples. But behind the scenes of public life, Romans practiced a rich world of private magic—quiet rituals... Read More
Mystical Practices of the Druids: Nature, Ritual, Sacred Knowledge
For centuries, the Druids have captured the imagination of historians, mystics, and spiritual seekers alike. These ancient Celtic priests lived in deep relationship with the land. They studied the cycles... Read More
Best Practices for Diversifying Across Chains & Vaults to Reduce Risk
Decentralized finance offers an unprecedented range of opportunities for yield generation, but with that opportunity comes a complex landscape of risks—from smart contract exploits to chain outages to liquidity crunches.... Read More
Top 10 DeFi Protocol Hacks of the Last 2 Years & What Yield Earners Should Learn
Decentralized finance has grown at a rapid pace, bringing new opportunities for passive income, liquidity provision, and financial autonomy. But along with innovation came a consistent pattern: every major boom in... Read More
Auto‑Compounding Vaults in Crypto: How They Work and Why They Matter
Crypto yield farming has evolved rapidly, offering opportunities for passive income through staking, liquidity provision, and lending. But one challenge remains consistent: maximizing returns while minimizing manual effort and transaction costs.... Read More
Babylonian Astrology: How the First Star Readers Shaped Destiny
Long before modern zodiac signs, horoscopes, and birth charts, the ancient Babylonians were watching the sky. They believed the stars were not distant objects—they were messages. Signals from the gods.... Read More
Sumerian Magic: The First Spells and Protective Charms
Long before Egypt raised its pyramids and Greece built its temples, another civilization emerged between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. This was Sumer, the birthplace of writing, mathematics, and—just as importantly—the... Read More
How Norse Runes Were Used for Magic and Divination
For centuries, the people of Northern Europe carved strange symbols into bone, stone, wood, and metal. These symbols—known as runes—were far more than a writing system. They were believed to be... Read More
The Forgotten Witches of Ancient Egypt: Hidden History of Magic, Mystery, and Female Power
For thousands of years, Egypt has been a symbol of mystery—pyramids, gods, tombs, and spells carved into stone. But behind these familiar images lies a history that rarely gets told:... Read More
0 comments