Throughout history humans have made connections to animals as
well as develop symbolic meanings behind their existence.
For example the ancient Egyptians and how they cherished the feline
species or Plains Native American tribes and the herds of buffalo.
We still see symbolism in the animal kingdom today.
For a long time certain cultures have created different stereotypes
amongst two birds that are not so far apart, the crow and the
dove.
Despite the contrasting feather colors of the jet black crow and
the bright white dove, these two avian are very similar.
The average size of a crow is about 18 inches, from the tip of the beak
to the tail, with a wingspan of 30 inches. The average white dove is slightly
smaller than the crow, with a length of 16 inches and a wingspan of 23
inches. These two birds also
consume a similar diet consisting of seeds, berries and the occasional
insect. In many parts of the world
one can find these birds sharing the same habitat.
Just by observing these two animals one could find it hard to point out a
major difference other than feather color.
So with all these
similarities, what are the different stereotypes amongst these birds? The black
crow is most commonly associated with death, Satan, or the idea that troubled
times are coming. On the other
hand the majority of people classify the white dove as a holy symbol, a sign
from the heavens or good luck.
These two classifications are a statement to the western culture`s views
as a whole. Is it the heavy
concept that black is bad and white is good that defies these birds or maybe,
simply the raspy call of the crow compared to the soothing sound of the
dove? Whichever the reasoning may
be there is a clear significance on the set of values and views placed upon
these animals. These values and
views are proven in literature such as The Raven and even the Bible.
In the poem the Raven Edgar Allen Poe uses words such as
plutonic and evil to describe the bird that continues to torment him. Just as equally, the story of Noah and
the arch from the Bible describes a time where Noah released a crow to bring him
back an olive branch if the flood had stopped. The crow never came back and so
Noah released a white dove and the dove brought back an olive branch in its
mouth showing signs of loyalty and salvation. The reasons for these birds’
representations may seem bizarre to others, but to our culture they are strong
symbols of good and evil
well as develop symbolic meanings behind their existence.
For example the ancient Egyptians and how they cherished the feline
species or Plains Native American tribes and the herds of buffalo.
We still see symbolism in the animal kingdom today.
For a long time certain cultures have created different stereotypes
amongst two birds that are not so far apart, the crow and the
dove.
Despite the contrasting feather colors of the jet black crow and
the bright white dove, these two avian are very similar.
The average size of a crow is about 18 inches, from the tip of the beak
to the tail, with a wingspan of 30 inches. The average white dove is slightly
smaller than the crow, with a length of 16 inches and a wingspan of 23
inches. These two birds also
consume a similar diet consisting of seeds, berries and the occasional
insect. In many parts of the world
one can find these birds sharing the same habitat.
Just by observing these two animals one could find it hard to point out a
major difference other than feather color.
So with all these
similarities, what are the different stereotypes amongst these birds? The black
crow is most commonly associated with death, Satan, or the idea that troubled
times are coming. On the other
hand the majority of people classify the white dove as a holy symbol, a sign
from the heavens or good luck.
These two classifications are a statement to the western culture`s views
as a whole. Is it the heavy
concept that black is bad and white is good that defies these birds or maybe,
simply the raspy call of the crow compared to the soothing sound of the
dove? Whichever the reasoning may
be there is a clear significance on the set of values and views placed upon
these animals. These values and
views are proven in literature such as The Raven and even the Bible.
In the poem the Raven Edgar Allen Poe uses words such as
plutonic and evil to describe the bird that continues to torment him. Just as equally, the story of Noah and
the arch from the Bible describes a time where Noah released a crow to bring him
back an olive branch if the flood had stopped. The crow never came back and so
Noah released a white dove and the dove brought back an olive branch in its
mouth showing signs of loyalty and salvation. The reasons for these birds’
representations may seem bizarre to others, but to our culture they are strong
symbols of good and evil