The Raven Outside of Poe: How Ravens Dominated Folklore Long Before “Nevermore”

            For most people, whether literary enthusiasts or not, a mention of the raven calls to mind Edgar Allan Poe. This is, of course, because of his poem The Raven and the bird’s cry of “Nevermore”, which lingered long after the poem’s ending. The story of the raven, however, goes back much farther than Poe. Ravens have been associated with many myths and legends for centuries, often appearing as keepers of knowledge, messengers of the gods, tricksters and even ferrymen of the dead. Their dark feathers and uncanny intelligence have earned them a place in legends around the world–making them one of history’s most enduring and fascinating symbols.

            More than just messengers, ravens were also seen as companions and agents of the gods. In Viking mythology, Odin had two ravens who stayed by his side. Huginn, whose name means Thought, and Muninn, whose name means Memory, would fly the nine worlds each day. When they returned to Odin, they would whisper to him all they had seen and heard, allowing him to possess the knowledge for which he was revered. In Celtic mythology, ravens are the companions of the Morrigan, Goddess of War and Fate. She was often thought to fly over the battlefields as a raven, seen as both an omen of doom and hope that those who died in battle would be ushered to the afterlife with her companions.

            In some Native American cultures, ravens were seen as tricksters, and psychopomps, ferrying the dead to the afterlife. In some Native cultures, Raven is a figure credited with helping shape the world. This trickster being stole the sun, moon, stars, and even fresh water from the gods, and gave it to humanity. This allowed the humans to live a more comfortable existence, and Raven delighted in the anger of the gods after each trick.

            Seen as a psychopomp by many cultures, there is a belief that ravens ferry the dead, or carry messages between worlds. Some scholars believe it is likely caused by ravens being carrion birds. People saw them feasting on the dead, circling overhead like they were waiting, and began associating them with spirits of the dead. It is the same explanation given as to why they became associated with doom or death. The circling over the recently deceased led many cultures to live in fear and awe of the raven.

            Beyond mythology, ravens have also inspired folklore and continue to influence modern traditions. While there is no historical evidence for the myth, the Tower of London keeps ravens for a very intriguing reason. Six ravens and often a spare are always kept in residence at the Tower of London, as there is a belief they protect the royal family, and that if they should leave the crown will fall. While some speculate that the story explaining why the ravens are kept was created during the Victorian period as another ghost story, what is known is that King Charles II ordered ravens to be kept at the Tower in the 1600s. The ravens still live in the Tower today, and a keeper is assigned to ensure they remain safe and comfortable, so they may continue to protect the Crown.

            This translated into fiction and poetry. Both have always been inspired by mythology and folklore, and ravens often gave a melancholy, terrifying, or heart-wrenching element. As noted at the beginning of this article, Poe himself wrote about ravens in The Raven. In his poem, the raven was meant to represent both a sort of phantom of the dead to haunt him and a messenger to keep him company. While the raven who sat upon the bust of Pallas never spoke more than “nevermore”, the narrator found both horror and comfort in the word. The same can be said for the birds themselves throughout history. They have offered both horror and comfort inspiring countless myths, legends, and stories that continue to captivate us to this day.