7 Myths Explaining Why Certain Animals Are Linked to Death

Animals have always fascinated people, not only because of their beauty or strength but also because of the mysterious roles they play in myths and legends.

Many cultures saw animals as messengers between the living and the dead, or as signs of approaching danger.

Some creatures became forever linked with death, either because of their behavior in nature or the symbolic meaning humans attached to them.

Let’s explore seven myths from around the world that explain why certain animals are tied so closely to death.

1. Crows As Messengers Of The Dead

Few animals are as strongly linked with death as crows. Their black feathers, eerie calls, and habit of circling battlefields made them natural symbols of endings.

In Greek mythology, crows were connected to Apollo, the god of prophecy. The bird’s dark color was said to be a punishment after it carried bad news, turning it into a symbol of sorrow and warning.

In Celtic traditions, crows were thought to accompany the goddess Morrigan, who watched over war and fate.

Seeing crows before a battle was taken as an omen of death. Their intelligence and their tendency to gather around carrion deepened the sense that they moved between the world of the living and the world of the dead.

2. Owls As Harbingers Of Doom

Owls are admired today for their wisdom, but in many ancient myths, they carried a more ominous meaning.

Their ability to see in the dark made people believe they had access to secrets hidden from humans.

In Roman folklore, the hoot of an owl outside a house was a prediction of death within. Among the Aztecs, owls were connected to Mictlantecuhtli, the god of death and the underworld.

Because owls hunt silently and often appear suddenly at night, they seemed like creatures that belonged to shadowy realms.

In some Native American stories, owls were also said to carry messages from departed spirits, warning the living of danger or loss.

3. Black Cats And The Fear Of Spirits

Black cats have long been caught between admiration and fear. In ancient Egypt, cats were sacred and linked to the goddess Bastet, a protector of homes.

But in medieval Europe, black cats gained a darker reputation. They were thought to be companions of witches and even to carry souls of the dead.

Because cats often move silently and appear suddenly, they were seen as mysterious creatures that might belong to another world.

A black cat crossing someone’s path became an omen of bad luck, sometimes even of death. The myth may have grown from their nocturnal habits, their piercing eyes, and their ability to vanish into the shadows.

4. Snakes As Symbols Of Death And Rebirth

Snakes hold a strange double role in mythology. They are often linked with death because of their venom and the fear they inspire, yet they are also tied to rebirth because of their ability to shed their skin.

In ancient Greek mythology, snakes were sacred to Hades, the god of the underworld, and often appeared as his companions.

In many cultures, encountering a snake was a sign of death or transformation. For example, in Hindu stories, the serpent god Vasuki coils around Lord Shiva, representing both destruction and renewal.

The association with death may come from their sudden strikes and their connection with the ground, which made people see them as guardians of the underworld.

5. Dogs As Guardians Of The Underworld

Dogs are often seen as loyal protectors, but in mythology, they sometimes take on a darker role.

In Greek myths, the three-headed dog Cerberus guarded the gates of the underworld, ensuring that no soul could escape. His terrifying presence linked dogs with death and the afterlife.

In Celtic folklore, there are tales of spectral hounds known as the Cŵn Annwn. These ghostly dogs were believed to roam the skies at night, their howls signaling that death was near.

The image of dogs as guides of souls reflects their natural role as guardians, but in myths, that guardianship often extended to the world of the dead.

6. Bats And Their Nocturnal Mystique

Bats, with their leathery wings and silent flight, have long been tied to death and darkness. In Chinese folklore, bats can symbolize good luck, but in Europe and the Americas, they often carry a darker meaning.

Their connection with caves and night made them seem like creatures from the underworld.

In some South American myths, bats were thought to be servants of underworld gods. The Mayans even told of Camazotz, a bat god associated with death and sacrifice.

Because bats are active at night and sometimes gather in vast numbers, people imagined them as ominous spirits, fluttering between the realms of life and death.

7. Vultures As Cleaners Of The Dead

Vultures may not have the eerie beauty of owls or the mysterious air of cats, but their role in nature made them clear symbols of death.

They circle high in the sky, waiting for creatures to die before swooping down. For this reason, many cultures saw them as animals that belonged to the space between death and renewal.

In ancient Egyptian belief, vultures were connected to the goddess Nekhbet, who protected pharaohs. Although this might seem positive, her vulture form always reminded people of death and decay.

In Tibetan sky burials, vultures played a sacred role, consuming the body of the deceased and symbolizing the soul’s release from earthly ties.

This unusual ritual showed respect for the bird’s ability to transform death into continuation.