The animal itself
Ravens recognise individual human faces, hold grudges for years, and communicate about specific people to other ravens. Captive ravens solve multi-step puzzles that defeat most primates.1 of 2 calendars · 1,600 searches a month
Raven
Reading situations others miss.
Which calendar assigns it, and when
Native American calendar
22 September – 22 October
Its zodiac sign
Libra
Only the Native American calendar assigns this one. Anyone born in these dates gets a different animal from the other system — the two agree on 4.7% of days →
What it stands for, and where that came from
Reading situations others miss — intelligence without warmth.
Honoured in: Norse Huginn and Muninn as thought and memory; Pacific Northwest raven as the creator who steals the sun; Tower of London ravens kept by royal decree.
The symbolism usually grew out of the behaviour rather than the other way round — which is the part worth keeping when the rest is set aside.