'round the raven
Acrylic and gold leaf on panel
private collection
Raven has been seen in Asia and the Americas as the Trickster, the one who brought the sun, moon, and stars.
In Middle Eastern lore, Raven was one of the birds released from the ark by Noah. Elijah was fed by ravens in the desert.
Centuries later, the Vikings routinely carried ravens on their ships to help with navigation. If the bird returned, they would assume it did not find land. If it did not return, they would follow it, hoping to find land.
In Northern Europe, Raven was known as the Morrigan, the one who guided fallen warriors to Valhala. A pair of ravens, Hugin and Munin (thought and memory) flew out daily and returned to Odin to report the news from around his kingdom.