<P> In Greek mythology, a little owl (Athene noctua) traditionally represents or accompanies Athena, the virgin goddess of wisdom, or Minerva, her syncretic incarnation in Roman mythology . Because of such association, the bird--often referred to as the "owl of Athena" or the "owl of Minerva"--has been used as a symbol of knowledge, wisdom, perspicacity and erudition throughout the Western world . </P> <P> The reasons for the association of Athena and the owl are uncertain . Some mythographers, such as David Kinsley and Martin P. Nilsson suggest that she may descend from a Minoan palace goddess associated with birds and Marija Gimbutas claim to trace Athena's origins as an Old European bird and snake goddess . </P> <P> On the other hand, Cynthia Berger theorizes about the appeal of some characteristics of owls--such as their ability to see in the dark--to be used as symbol of wisdom while others, such as William Geoffrey Arnott, propose a simple association between founding myths of Athens and the significant number of little owls in the region (a fact noted since antiquity by Aristophanes in The Birds and Lysistrata). </P> <P> In any case, the city of Athens seems to have adopted the owl as proof of allegiance to its patron virgin goddess, which according to a popular etiological myth reproduced on the West pediment of the Parthenon, secured the favor of its citizens by providing them with a more enticing gift than Poseidon . </P>

The owl of minerva spreads its wings only with the falling of the dusk