Huginn and Muninn

The Two Raven Society

In old Norse myth Odin is the King of the Gods. Known for his knowledge and wisdom Odin is often refered to as the Raven God.  This is because he is always accompanied by two Ravens.  It is said that Odin bestowed on these Ravens the gift of speech. Each dawn Odin sends his two birds out to fly around the world gathering information and then returning to him at dinner time.  It is in this way that Odin is kept informed of the happenings around his world.  The Ravens were named Huginn and Muninn which translate to english as Thought and Memory.



In the story of Noah he is told to build an ark filled with two of all the animals in the world to repopulate the Earth after the Great Flood covers all land.  After 40 days he chooses the Raven to go out and search for dry land.  In some versions the Raven is white.  The Raven leaves the ship and never returns stopping to feast. In response the Raven is cursed to eat carrion and is turned to Black.  Noah's second choice, the Dove, returns with evidence of land in the form of an Olive branch.


In native American folklore the Raven is credited as the creator of light and earth.  The gifts of the earth were selfishly protected by grey Eagle.  When he had his chance Raven flew into eagles smokelodge and stole these gifts  He raised the sun into the sky of darkness filling the world with light.  When night came Raven lifted the moon to the sky to bring a bright light to the night.  Raven was originally pure white but because of the fire of the smokelodge and the heat of the sun his feathers became forever black.

Grip - The Raven

In London it is said that as long as Ravens live at the Tower of London the English Empire with survive.  When they leave the Tower the Empire will crumble.  Bombings during the second world war scared away all the Tower Ravens except two. Mable and Grip.  Grip became famous for his part in a Charles Dickens story Barnaby Rudge.  It was this story and the Raven named Grip that inspired  American author Edgar Allen Poes most famous work The Raven.    The Actual bird can still be found in the Free Library of Philadelphia .              

                                                  

When Baltimore, long time home of Edgar Allen Poe, needed a mascot for their new football team named the Ravens they held a contest.  The winning submission was to name the Raven's mascot Poe after the famous writer.

Baltimore ravens Team Logo NFL

                      Team Mascot "Poe"