Which famous woman had an owl before Harry Potter?

Answer 1

If you are talking about mythology, then the woman/Goddess with an owl was Athena in Greek mythology. JK Rowling has in her Harry Potter series used a lot of Greek mythology in the stories. Examples are:

1. Fluffy who guards the entrance to the Philosopher's Stone (Cerberus guards the entrance to Hades and also has 3 heads). In the book, Hagrid got Fluffly from a Greek chappie in the pub, a direct link to showing it comes from Greek myths. Shame they changed it in the film to being acquired from an Irish chappie.

2. The centaurs in the forest. In mythology, centaurs were wise and studied the heavens to divine the future, just as in the series.

3.The Sphynx and its riddle in the maze. In the book, the Sphynx gives a riddle to Harry in order for him to pass, although he could just not answer and try and find another way past and not be harmed, he chose to answer, knowing that an incorrect answer would mean that the Sphynx would attack him. In mythology, Oedipus also had to answer a Sphynx's riddle which has become probably the most famous riddle since, what goes on 4 legs in the morning, 2 legs at midday and 3 legs in the evening?

These three examples are just some of the beasts and creatures from greek mythology. Have fun finding more and trying to work out their meanings and parallels with Harry Potter.

PS, wonder why the last task is set in a maze?? Think Theseus and the Minotaur and you get the picture.