What does it mean when someone places a severed owl's head on a grave?

Answer 1

It depends upon the religion and ancestry of the deceased or of the deceased's living family members. In Christianity, the owl symbolizes mourning and desolation due to the animal's nocturnal nature and tendency to live in dark secluded areas. Some Christians also believe the owl to symbolize Christ, and thus the placement of a severed owl's head on one's grave coulde symbolize a ritualistic Christian mourning of a loved one. In Egyptian, Celctic, and Hindu culture, the owl symbolizes a protection of the dead. Due to it's nocturnal nature, the owl was seen by these cultures to be the overseer of the afterlife and guardian of the underworld. In Native American tradition, owls symbolized wisdom and keepers of sacred knowledge and secrets. This was also the belief of African and Aboriginal cultures. During medieval times, owls were believed to actually be witches and wizards in disguise in western and central Europe. Following that belief, a severed owl's head on a grave may symbolize suspicions that the deceased was a witch or wizard.