Ravens & Crows in Mythology & Folklore

Ravens and crows are perhaps the most featured birds in all mythology and folklore. Being widespread across the world, beautiful and otherworldly in appearance, and incredibly intelligent creatures have granted these corvids a number of roles in the stories of peoples. From omens of good fortune or omens of death, to companions of the gods such as the Norse Odin or the Celtic Morrigan, to the trickster tales of Native American folklore!

Checkout our episode on Tulugaak!

MYTHOLOGY HAS BEEN TOLD AND RETOLD IN MANY FORMS ACROSS TIME, STORIES AND ACCOUNTS MAY VARY.

MUSIC:
"Wild Spirit" by Adrian von Ziegler
"Follow the Hunt' by Adrian von Ziegler
"Lone Wolf' by Adrian von Ziegler
"Blackbird" cover by Medieval Rock

CLIPS:
"The Crow" (1994)
Stock footage of ravens and crows

OPENING:

ARTISTS FEATURED:
Julian Bauer
Beata Sokolska
Alessia Valestro
Elena Samko
John Howe
Silja Erg
Susan Maxwell Schmidt
Rebecca Yee
Kevin Johnson

REFERENCES:
If we used your artwork please let us know so we can give proper credit!

[MythologyUnleashed]

Hey everyone we wanted to apologize for any audio issues you may find, we ran into A LOT of technical difficulties during editing!
Thank you for watching, and for your support!!

[Hallel]

I think I speak for all of us when I say please do a full episodes about raven

[bethanysmith]

Main thing I know is it's better to befriend crows and ravens then to anger them.

[nicholassanabria]

Crows and Ravens are so smart that they rivals parrots in terms of intelligence

[raven-deelarsen]

I would love to see an episode dedicated to the First Nation Raven stories! I grew up hearing little tales of him (being northern Canadian). I would love to hear them fleshed out more 😊

[merlapittman]

I would love to see a video (or more than one!) about Trickster North American Ravens. I very much like crows and ravens and appreciate stories and myths about them. I'd also like any videos about other mythic tricksters. Tricksters are fascinating!

[-RONNIE]

Thank you for the information on ravens and crows throughout other cultures mythologies. As an Irish Pagan myself you did a good job with my culture 🥃 Sláinte 🇮🇪⚔️

[ambarrose]

Thank you so much. Corvids are such widely mythologic related animals.

[ethanstamper]

I say please do Native American stories on the raven being part Cherokee I was surprised the raven mocker didn’t pop up

[lilsparrow]

They are my favorite, hands down. I love that they are capable of facial recognition ! They are in the jay family alongside blue jays and magpies ....they are also capable of mimicking human speech. Stunning creatures

[AncestorEmpire]

I suggest listening to Sir Christopher Lee’s narration of “The Raven”

[aidanhever]

And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting.
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door.
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon’s that is dreaming.
And the lamp-light o’er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor.
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor.
Shall be lifted... nevermore !

~Edgar Allan Poe~

[MrPink-qfxi]

I would love to see more stories about Ravens and Crows.

[SilverWolfMage]

A raven more powerful than a dragon 🐲🙀 and that is news to me! As was a lot of information given in the video. I didn't know Apollo was associated with those birds, or that a raven had a big role in Slavic mythology. Ah, yes! Odin and his ravens, so nice to see that part as well. Thank you for another wonderful video!

[redtriforce]

Would love to see the Native American Raven full video. Thanks for all your wonderful and awesome content!!

[candaceperkins]

Lovely video! Thank you for mentioning The Morrigan!

[Eye_Exist]

very specific themes that repeat across many different cultures make me think the common themes must have been something in real world written in a form of an archetype of be easily passed through generations and changing and forgotten languages and sciences. it's really hard to imagine how otherwise different people across time and the oceans could have come up with such specific myths like three legged crows or crows bringing the light to the world.

[Cynic-Retired]

I'm currently studying alot of Gaulish History and Mythology, (Which is scarce to say the least... so thank you for that Mr. Caesar), and to me the most facinating Gaulish Deity is Cathubodua, ''Battle Crow''. Who? Exactly, the fact we know so little about her is what fascinates me, but she seems to be the gaulish equivalent to Badb or The Morrigan.

[williammiller]

May I say, thank you for all your hard work. It’s a privilege to hear such knowledge.

[luminaur-a]

thank you for this beautiful piece. I am a medicine woman and feel deeply connected to my sister Crow. I have recently been gifted a dead crow to work with, and I have felt a connection to the crow since beginning my shamanic path. I loved the information you provided on the aboriginal connection of the crow and the Pleiades. The Pleiades bring the next evolutionary step in consciousness for humanity.