Raven Symbolism: Raven Spiritual Meaning, Myths and the Raven Spirit Animal

What does a raven symbolise? Ravens symbolise magic, wisdom and transformation. They are messengers between worlds, keepers of secrets and clever tricksters, which is why they appear as guides, prophets and even creators in myths all over the world. If a raven crosses your path, it's usually read as a sign to trust your intuition and get ready for change.

Ravens are close to our hearts here. Their deep, croaking call is a familiar sound along the cliffs of Cornwall, and the raven is one of the great figures of the Pacific coast of British Columbia, where Trish spent many years. Our hand carved obsidian ravens are some of our most striking pieces. In this guide we explore raven symbolism and spiritual meaning, the raven as a spirit animal, Odin's ravens, the Tower of London legend, ravens in Celtic and Pacific Northwest stories, and how to tell a raven from a crow.

Symbolises	Magic, wisdom, transformation, intuition, prophecy, protection
Spirit animal traits	Clever, curious, intuitive, adaptable, a truth teller
In myth	Odin's ravens Huginn and Muninn, the Morrígan, Brân the Blessed, Raven of the Pacific Northwest
Linked with	Messages, secrets, the unseen world, change and new beginnings
Group name	An unkindness (or a conspiracy) of ravens
Keywords	Magic, wisdom, transformation, insight

What Does a Raven Symbolise?

Few birds have gathered as many stories as the raven. These are the meanings that come up again and again.

• Magic and mystery: with its glossy black feathers and knowing eye, the raven has always been linked with magic, secrets and the hidden side of life.
• Wisdom and intelligence: ravens are among the cleverest birds on Earth. They solve puzzles, plan ahead and remember faces, so it's no wonder they stand for knowledge and insight.
• Transformation: the raven is a symbol of change, endings and new beginnings, helping you let go of the old and step into something new.
• Messages and prophecy: in many traditions ravens carry messages between gods and people, or between this world and the next.
• Protection: from Odin's watchful ravens to the guardians of the Tower of London, ravens are often seen as protectors.
• Loyalty: ravens usually pair for life, so they also stand for devotion and partnership.

Raven Spiritual Meaning

Spiritually, the raven is a messenger and a magician. It asks you to trust your intuition, look beneath the surface and be brave enough to explore the parts of yourself you usually keep in the shadows. Where some animals bring comfort, the raven brings insight: the kind of clear seeing that helps you understand what needs to change.

The raven is also a creature of in between places, dawn and dusk, the cliff edge and the open sky, the seen and the unseen. That makes it a wonderful companion for meditation, journalling, tarot or any practice where you're listening for messages. For more ways to work with that kind of energy, our guide to crystals for intuition is a lovely next step.

Is a Raven a Good or Bad Omen?

Both, depending on who you ask. In some old European folklore a raven at the window was a sign of death, partly because ravens were often seen near battlefields. But in many other traditions the raven is a bringer of light, wisdom and protection. Today most people read a raven as a sign of change rather than doom: something is ending so that something new can begin.

The Raven as a Spirit Animal

The idea of a spirit animal has its roots in Indigenous traditions, so we use it with respect. For many people today, it simply means a creature they feel a deep connection with, one whose qualities they recognise in themselves.

If the raven is the animal you feel drawn to, you might be:

• Curious, clever and always asking questions
• Intuitive, often sensing things before they happen
• Comfortable with mystery and the darker, quieter side of life
• Adaptable and good at reinventing yourself
• A truth teller, even when the truth is tricky

Seeing a Raven in a Dream

A raven in a dream is often read as a message from your intuition. A raven flying overhead can point to new ideas or news on the way, a raven speaking to you to a truth you need to hear, and a pair of ravens to loyalty and partnership.

Ravens in Myth and Legend

Odin's Ravens: Huginn and Muninn

In Norse mythology, the god Odin keeps two ravens, Huginn and Muninn, whose names are linked with thought and memory. Every day they fly out across the world and return to perch on his shoulders, whispering everything they have seen. Odin is even called the "raven god". The old poems say he worried each day that Huginn might not come back, and worried even more for Muninn, which is a rather lovely reminder to look after your thoughts and memories. Odin also travels with two wolves, Geri and Freki; you can read more about them in our guide to wolf symbolism.

Celtic Legends

In Irish myth, the shapeshifting goddess the Morrígan often appears as a raven or crow, and after the death of the hero Cú Chulainn she settles on his shoulder in raven form. In Welsh legend, the giant king Brân the Blessed, whose name means "raven", asked for his head to be buried at the White Mount in London, facing France, to guard Britain from invasion. Many people link that story to the ravens of the Tower of London.

The Ravens of the Tower of London

The most famous ravens in Britain live at the Tower of London. Legend says that if the ravens ever leave, the Crown and the kingdom will fall, so at least six are always kept there, cared for by a Yeoman Warder known as the Ravenmaster. One story credits Charles II with the tradition, although historians think the legend is much younger than it sounds. Either way, it's a wonderful picture of the raven as a guardian.

Raven of the Pacific Northwest

On the Pacific coast of Canada and Alaska, Raven is one of the most important figures in the stories of many First Nations, including the Haida, Tlingit and Tsimshian. Raven is both a creator and a trickster. In one well known Haida story, Raven steals the Sun, Moon and stars and sets them in the sky, bringing light to the world, and in another he discovers the first people hiding in a clam shell. These are living traditions, and the best way to learn them is from the Nations themselves.

Other Traditions

In Greek myth, Apollo's raven was said to be white until it brought him bad news and was scorched black. In the Bible, Noah sends a raven from the ark, and ravens bring food to the prophet Elijah. In Hindu tradition, the god Shani rides a crow or raven, and in Bhutan the raven is the national bird and sits on the royal crown.

What Is a Group of Ravens Called?

A group of ravens is often called an unkindness, and sometimes a conspiracy. Both names are a little unfair. Young ravens do gather in groups, but adult ravens usually live in devoted pairs that stay together all year and for life, defending their patch of cliff or forest together.

Raven vs Crow: How to Tell Them Apart

Ravens and crows are cousins in the clever corvid family, and they're easy to mix up. Here's how to tell them apart:

• Size: ravens are much bigger, with a wingspan of about 140cm against a crow's 90cm.
• Tail: a raven's tail is wedge shaped in flight; a crow's is fanned.
• Throat and beak: ravens have a shaggy ruff of throat feathers and a heavy, chunky beak.
• Call: a raven gives a deep, croaking "kronk", while a crow has a harsher "caw".
• Flight: ravens soar, tumble and even fly upside down, especially in early spring.

Ravens were once rare in much of Britain but have made a wonderful comeback, and you'll often see them along rocky coasts and craggy hills in the west.

What Does a Raven Necklace Mean?

Wearing a raven is a way of carrying its qualities with you: wisdom, intuition, a little magic and the courage to change. A raven necklace makes a meaningful gift for a friend who loves myth and folklore, a lover of all things dark and witchy, or anyone starting a new chapter. You'll find more ideas in our guide to crystal gifts for her.

Our ravens are hand carved on both sides from natural obsidian, a volcanic glass long linked with protection, grounding and seeing the truth, which makes it a perfect match for the raven. You can read more in our obsidian guide and our guide to crystals for protection. Each raven comes in a small or large size on a vegan waxed cotton cord, and because each one is carved by hand, no two are quite the same.

Browse all our raven necklaces, or see our other hand carved necklaces, from wolves and bears to whales and leaves. If you love the darker side of nature, our Halloween jewellery guide has plenty more spooky inspiration.

Caring for Your Raven

Obsidian is a natural glass, so treat your raven gently and store it on its own so it doesn't knock against other jewellery. Wipe it with a soft cloth, keep it away from perfume and harsh cleaners, and take it off before swimming or bathing. To refresh its energy, try moonlight, sound or smoke; our guide to cleansing crystals explains each method. To look up the meaning of any stone, visit our A-Z Crystal Guide.

Every piece is cleansed, energy infused, vegan and cruelty free, and 5% of all proceeds go to Pacific Wild to help protect the Great Bear Rainforest, home to ravens, wolves and so many other wild creatures.

Raven Symbolism FAQs

What does a raven symbolise?

Ravens symbolise magic, wisdom, transformation and intuition. They are linked with prophecy, messages from the unseen world and the mysteries of life and death, and in many stories they are clever guides and keepers of secrets.

What is the spiritual meaning of a raven?

Spiritually, the raven is a messenger and a sign of change. Seeing one is often read as a nudge to trust your intuition, look beneath the surface and be ready for a new chapter.

Is seeing a raven good luck or a bad omen?

It depends on the tradition. Ravens have been seen as omens of death in some old European folklore, but they are also symbols of wisdom, protection and creation. In Norse myth they were Odin's trusted messengers, and at the Tower of London they are said to protect the kingdom.

What does it mean if the raven is your spirit animal?

If you feel drawn to the raven, you may be curious, clever and intuitive, comfortable with mystery and good at adapting to change. The raven is also linked with seeing the truth and speaking it.

What were Odin's ravens called?

Odin's two ravens were Huginn and Muninn, whose names are linked with thought and memory. They flew over the world every day and returned to tell him everything they had seen.

What is a group of ravens called?

A group of ravens is often called an unkindness, and sometimes a conspiracy. In real life, though, ravens usually live in loyal pairs that stay together for life.

What is the difference between a raven and a crow?

Ravens are much bigger than crows, with a wingspan of around 140cm against a crow's 90cm. They have a wedge shaped tail, a shaggy throat, a heavier beak and a deep, croaking call, while crows have a fan shaped tail and a harsher caw.

What does a raven tattoo or necklace mean?

A raven tattoo or necklace usually stands for wisdom, magic, protection and transformation. Many people wear one as a reminder to trust their intuition, or as a nod to Odin's ravens and Celtic myth.