Raven

In reality, the raven is an unusually intelligent animal, which is reflected in its archetypal image, such as being a trickster. However, the black, carrion-eating raven is also associated with death and war, among other things.

In dreams, the raven often expresses melancholy and sorrow, according to von Franz (The Feminine in Fairy Tales, p. 140). The raven's ambivalent symbolism and its connection to the dove mean that an approach to the black bird (which, according to many myths, was once white) can reveal a messenger of God.

Knowledge

In fairy tales, such as the Brothers Grimm's "Faithful Johannes", ravens possess special knowledge that they often share with the hero. In Norse mythology, the all-knowing Odin has two ravens that fly around the world and report back to him everything they have seen and heard. According to folklore, both ravens and crows were believed to have knowledge of the future and other things hidden from humans.  

Death

The raven is a symbol of death. It is a black carrion-eater drawn to marching armies and feeding on the battlefields; they also follow Odin, a god of war and death.

Evil – but Helpful

In Christian mythology, the raven was, on one hand, associated with the devil and sin, but on the other, it could also be a helpful bird in God's service (see, for example, Leviticus 11:15 and 1 Kings 17:6). It also appears as an allegory for Christ in possibly more mystical contexts.

In Greek mythology, the raven was one of Apollo's attributes, related to his darker "winter aspect." In both Greek and Christian mythology, the raven is associated with darkness but still has positive attributes.

Furthermore, like in the Bible and Germanic folklore, the raven suffers a punishment according to Greek mythology, where it (and in the Germanic version) is forced to endure thirst.

Black Souls

As mentioned under Birds, many beliefs hold that the soul takes on the form of a bird. In Sweden and Denmark, the souls of evil individuals, suicides, and those not buried in holy ground were believed to turn into ravens. These unfortunate souls were called "night ravens," and much superstition was woven around them.  

In alchemy, the raven is sometimes a symbol of the "black soul," while the dove represents the light one.

Darkness and Depression

In alchemy, the black raven symbolized nigredo (the blackening) and melancholy, a stage in the alchemical process known as the Raven's Head (or Black Sun). Similarly, it has appeared in more modern expressions, such as a symbol of depression, notably in Franz Kafka's diaries.

However, it is important to note that the raven as prima materia represents the initial stage of the alchemist's work and can sometimes appear with a white head in alchemical art. Some alchemists refer to the raven as the bird of Hermes, saying: "Know that the head of the art is the raven, which flies without wings in the blackness of the night and in the light of day" (Quoted in Mysterium Coniunctionis, par. 727).  

As a symbol of melancholy and darkness, the raven is also associated with pregnancy and creativity. It is described as "the creative night" in an Orphic hymn, where it is called "a bird with black wings that was fertilized by the wind (spirit)" (Mysterium Coniunctionis, par. 734). It is well-known that depression and crises often serve as fertile ground for creative individuals.  

In summary, the raven can be seen as a messenger from the darker, perhaps invisible parts of this world or other worlds.

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