The Raven
Depictions across cultures
Many references to ravens exist in world lore and literature. Most depictions allude to the appearance and behaviour of the wide-ranging common raven (Corvus corax).
Because of its black plumage, croaking call and diet of carrion, the raven is often associated with loss and ill omen.
Yet its symbolism is complex. As a talking bird, the raven also represents prophecy and insight. Ravens in stories often escort souls from Earth to the afterlife, connecting the material world with the world of spirits.