Owls 4.9.1998

This First Day cover from Finland was issued on Sept. 4, 1998, showing owls was given to me by Ella. In Finland there are eleven different types of owls. Owls have been around for millions of years, and many myths have been told about them. Some people believe owls are wise while others believe they are messengers of death or just plain evil. Owl Myths and Superstitions from around the World. There are five stamps on the minature sheet showing different types of owls. These are the Bubo bubo - Eurasian Eagle Owl, wing of Bubo bubo; Aegolius funereus - Boreal Owl (juvenile); Strix nebulosa - Great Gray Owl and Nyctea scandiaca (now called Bubo scandiacus) - Snowy Owl. Owls are considered as both wise and possibly messengers of death. There are many myths surrounding owls in various parts of the world. These are :-

France: When a pregnant woman hears an Owl, it is an omen that her child will be a girl.
Germany: If an Owl hoots as a child is born, the infant will have an unhappy life.
Scotland: It's bad luck to see an Owl in daylight.
Australia: Aborigines believe bats represent the souls of men and Owls the souls of women. Owls are therefore sacred, because your sister is an Owl - and the Owl is your sister.
Croatia: The Owl is a symbol of City of Krk on the island of Krk, and is also protector of the island of Solta, where it is called "cuvitar".
Malawi: The Owl carries messages for witches.
Belgium: Legend has it that a priest offered the Owl his church tower to live in if the bird would get rid of the rats and mice that plagued his church.
Aztecs: One of their evil gods wore a Screech Owl on his head.
Arctic Circle: A little girl was turned into a bird with a long beak by magic, but was so frightened she flapped about madly and flew into a wall, flattening her face and beak. So the Owl was created.