Is a raven considered lucky or protective amongst native americans?

Question

I'm planing on getting a new tattoo and i really like a design iv seen

done in a native american style its two birds facing away from each other.

at first i thou rt they were eagles but looking into it they look more like ravens.iv done a bit of research and some sites say ravens put the sun and moon in the sky and protect people.

and others saying they bring death and decease.

can anyone help thank you .

Answer 1

There is variety among the tribes. Each has it's own collective unconscious (to use Jung's terminology)...

Answer 2

The two most common beliefs among Native Americans regarding the raven were either trickster, or symbol of magic and mystery.  In one legend, he was also the deity that brought man to land out of the sea.

The Norse god Odin had two ravens that circled the world, and brought him news of what was going on.

Ravens live at the Tower of London, and it is believed that as long as the ravens stay, the British Empire will survive.

They do have a history of being a carrion bird, but this also lead to them being considered a "psychopomp."  This million dollar word means a guide for passed souls, leading them to whatever their final place is.

Answer 3

The True Native American believed the raven to take away the spirit to the great eye in the cloud,as it was the guardian of the soul

Answer 4

I've always heard that the raven represents death in native american culture. It was the bearer of bad news so to speak.

Answer 5

i am sure  the native americans hold them as sacrid to look after and protect them

Answer 6

I'm with Tahuti on this.  There was no singular belief system among the Native American tribes.  Most of the stories I've heard about the raven make it out to be a trickster.  It didn't just "put" the sun in the sky - it STOLE it.

Answer 7

Where I live (the West coast of Canada) ravens are considered good luck. In fact, they're probably the most common animal that shows up on the totem poles.

And anyhow, it doesn't really matter if you're not a Native American, and even for lots of Native Americans it wouldn't matter because luck is just a superstition. Just get the tattoo because YOU like it.  

Answer 8

Well for us who are Tlingit, the two birds looking at each other are called the "Lovebirds."  In its very basics, there are two main clans, the Eagles and Ravens.  An eagle cannot marry another eagle cuz the clans are too closely related.  thus the eagle and raven being called the lovebirds.

as for the raven, in our culture he is Trickster.  He stole the sun and moon and gave it to the people.  He didnt steal it out of greed or self gain, but because it was the right thing to do.  

A great site to look into is  

http://www.sealaskaheritage.org/publicat...

here's the basic story although my gram told it to me much different.  as with all oral history stories differ from family to family  

http://www.sacred-texts.com/nam/nw/tmt/t...

Answer 9

A raven can symbolize death, loss or war in western Europe.

In further east, the raven is a solar and oracular symbol. It was the messenger bird of Apollo s well as of the goddess Athene in Greece, and was linked with the sun cult of Mithras.

The raven appears in Africa and elsewhere as a guide. warnning of dangers and in Native North America is a culture hero. For the Inuit it is Raven Father, creator god whose killing would bring foul weather.

From "symbols and their meanings" by jack tresidder