The Mystery of the Raven Tattoo
A powerful animal totem, the raven is a guide and protector. He has the ability to shape-shift and is a symbol of transformation. Its utter blackness represents the void, secrecy and mystery, but it is also a solar symbol as it was thought that the Raven brought the sun to mankind.
Raven also provided the moon, stars, water and fire for the people. Once white, the smoke from the fire blackened his feathers.
The raven is a keeper of secrets, and in Europe is a symbol for doom and death. Edgar Allen Poe also popularized the raven for everyone with his poem “The Raven” where it was a mysterious harbinger of darkness.
The Haida thought that the Raven was responsible for the creation of humans, who were trapped inside a clam shell. He then convinced the male and female persons to get together, which is why he is also linked with temptation.
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