Owls have inspired ambivalence through many centuries and cultures. Symbolic of wisdom, protection, guidance, fortune and luck, owls also have a supernatural air of intuition and mystery. Owls have been thought to be harbingers of death, as well as a sign of new beginnings and transformation that comes after death. Many negative feelings toward owls could be due to them being nocturnal and people fearing things that go bump in the night. This month my book club read Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr that features birds for symbolism and especially an owl. The main owl called Trustyfriend was a sign of the changes that were going to upend one of the characters. The owl’s big eyes, excellent eyesight and the ability to rotate its head 270 degrees make it a perfect symbol for vision, insight and guidance. Those qualities also represent wisdom, which owls are most known for. Doerr said he chose to “…use the owl to dramatize the human connection to the natural world.” In literature, like in life, seeing signs can enrich the experience. In the case of Doerr’s book, owls are a good sign of fine literature.
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Seeing Signs 
Owls have always been creepy to me but i liked Trusty Friend in Cloud Cuckoo Land. I felt sorry for Seymour which was hard knowing everything he did.
I think Doerr made a good choice. I’ve always believed that if I see an Owl, It was a sign I would make a wise decision. When I hear the deep soft hoots of the Owl delivered in a soothing rhythm, it’s a sign it is time for peaceful slumber . . . And that’s a great sign! 😀