Owl of Athena Owl of Athena In Greek mythology, a little owl ("Athene noctua") traditionally represents or accompanies Athena, the virgin goddess of wisdom, or Minerva, her syncretic incarnation in Roman mythology. Because of such association, the bird — often referred to as the "owl of Athena" or the "owl of Minerva" — has been used as a symbol of knowledge, wisdom, perspicacity and erudition throughout the Western world. The reasons for the association of Athena and the owl are uncertain. Some mythographers, such as David Kinsley and Martin P. Nilsson, suggest that she may descend from a Minoan palace goddess associated with
Planē (mythology) referred to, as an abstract concept, in Christian and Gnostic philosophy. Planē (mythology) Planē or "Plane" (, pronounced "pla-neh"), in ancient Greek religion, was an abstract goddess, the personification of the concept of error (her name deriving from the Greek term for 'wandering' [see planet ] ). Though her mythology is obscure, it is known that she was present at the musical competition between the god Apollo and the satyr Marsyas. She is depicted in that scene, looking on in horror at the sight of Marsyas about to be flayed for losing, in a few 4th century mosaics in the