It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.
- Henry David Thoreau
The little owl is closely associated with the Greek goddess Athena and the Roman goddess Minerva, and hence represents wisdom and knowledge. The genus name, Athene commemorates the goddess, whose original role as a goddess of the night might explain the link to an owl. The species name noctua has, in effect, the same meaning, being the Latin name of an owl sacred to Minerva, Athena's Roman counterpart.
Interestingly the owl is also the vahana of Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and good fortune. It is also a reminder to remain humble and seek wisdom, even after abundance has been granted by the universe (or by Lakshmi herself).
Little Owl
Sony A77ii
Tamron 150-600
f/6.3, 1/1250s, ISO500, 600mm
Lleida Steppes, Catalonia, Spain
May 2018