In literature, the word "raven" assumes a rich tapestry of meanings, symbolizing everything from divine messengers to omens of fate and transformation. In some narratives, the raven is closely tied to myth and war—appearing as Odin’s companion or emblematic of familial or clan identity ([1], [2], [3])—while in others it emerges as a harbinger of melancholy and mystery, most famously in Poe’s works where its somber refrain deepens the aura of existential dread ([4], [5], [6], [7], [8]). Beyond myth and Gothic despair, the raven also plays versatile roles in folklore and fairy tales: at times a witty, transformative figure who relays prophecies or changes form ([9], [10], [11], [12], [13]), and in other instances a striking symbol of beauty and dark elegance, as seen when characters are compared to “raven hair” or when its appearance prefigures dire omens ([14], [15], [16], [17]). This multifaceted usage across a diverse literary landscape demonstrates how the raven, whether as a mystical animal or a metaphor for brooding introspection, continues to captivate readers with its symbolic potency.
- The raven-friend in Odin's dress— Olaf, who foes can well repress, Left Flemish flesh for many a meal With his broad axe of shining steel.
— from Heimskringla; Or, The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway by Snorri Sturluson
- Odin’s raven, 17 ; Od-hroerir found by, 96 ; Greek equivalent, 347 Muspell (mus′pel).
— from Myths of the Norsemen: From the Eddas and Sagas by H. A. Guerber
- Odin’s raven, 17 , 347 ; Od-hroerir discovered by, 96 Hulda (hul′dȧ).
— from Myths of the Norsemen: From the Eddas and Sagas by H. A. Guerber
- AN ENIGMA TO F——. TO FRANCES S. OSGOOD TO HELEN TO MARIE LOUISE (SHEW) TO MARIE LOUISE (SHEW) THE RAVEN.
— from The Works of Edgar Allan Poe, The Raven Edition by Edgar Allan Poe
- In The Raven sound and color preserve their monotone and we have no change of place or occasion.
— from The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe
- Of all these mystical cadences, the plaint of The Raven , vibrating through the portal, chiefly has impressed the outer world.
— from The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe
- "A stately Raven of the saintly days of yore.
— from The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe
- "The Philosophy of Composition," his analysis of The Raven , is a technical dissection of its method and structure.
— from The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe
- Down flew the Raven from the oak, smote upon the ground, turned into a brave youth, and cried aloud: ‘Princess Anna, come forth quickly!
— from The Red Fairy Book
- A great black raven darted down in front of her on the high road, and croaked dismally.
— from Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen by H. C. Andersen
- A raven, which was flying over, picked him up, and flew with him over the sea, and there dropped him.
— from English Fairy Tales
- “My intended has told me so much good of you, my dear young lady,” said the tame Raven.
— from Andersen's Fairy Tales by H. C. Andersen
- He saw a raven, took a good aim at him, and was just going to fire, when the bird cried, "Don't shoot; I will make it worth thy while not."
— from Household Tales by Brothers Grimm by Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm
- The white leaves float upon the air, The red leaves flutter idly down, Some fall upon her yellow gown, And some upon her raven hair.
— from Poems, with The Ballad of Reading Gaol by Oscar Wilde
- In a trice I saw myself with beautiful raven-black hair and the temptation was irresistible.
— from Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery
- His head is as the finest gold: his locks as branches of palm trees, black as a raven.
— from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete
- ‘Night covered the earth with its raven wing.
— from Demonology and Devil-lore by Moncure Daniel Conway