Legenda: Proverbia de Bubone

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Proverbia de Bubone

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These proverbs about the Owl (Bubo or Noctua) are from Latin sources, but also show the symbolism of the owl in ancient Greek culture, where it was closely associated with the city of Athens, and also with money because of the owls stamped on ancient coins.

For more information about the owl in Latin bestiaries, visit the Bubo in the Zoo. If you find some of the proverbs below difficult to understand, you will find some English translations at the Zoo page, along with some additional notes there that you might find helpful!

Use this Study Guide to organize your learning activities.

Athenas noctuam.	Athenas: accusative for destination ("to Athens") Note: This is like the saying "coals to Newcastle." There is no need to bring owls to Athens since they abound there.
Noctuae Laurioticae.	Note: Gold was mined in Mount Laurios in Greece, so this was a way to refer to gold coins stamped with an owl.
Multae noctuae sub tegulis.	Note: This proverb is used enigmatically to refer to someone with much money tucked away, since owls were stamped on the coins of Athens.
Noctua volat.	Note: This was a sign of good luck for the ancient Greeks.
Bubo conspectus est.	Note: This is used to refer to a bad omen.
Noctuae pullus suus pulcherrimus.
Noctuinum ovum.	Note: This probably referred to something rare and hard to find, as there was an ancient belief that the owl laid no eggs.
Bubo canit lusciniae.
Aliud cornix, aliud noctua cantat.
Noctua inter cornices.	Note: Like the proverb "a donkey amidst the bees," this proverb refers to a situation when a slow-witted person gets involved with a talkative, noisy bunch.
Alia noctuae, alia vox coturnicis.	alia noctuae = alia vox noctuae
Aquilam noctuae comparas.
Ex bubone pigro nunquam cito accipiter fit.