ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Cultural depictions of ravens

Hi there! Do you know what a raven is? It's a big black bird with shiny feathers and a pointy beak. Ravens are really smart and they can do lots of tricks like talking and using tools.

People have been fascinated by ravens for a very long time. In many cultures, ravens are considered special and are often featured in stories, art, and legends.

For example, in Native American cultures, ravens are seen as messengers between the spirit world and the real world. They are also believed to have created the world and brought fire to humans. Some tribes even have dances and ceremonies to honor the raven.

In Norse mythology, ravens were the companions of the god Odin. Odin had two ravens named Hugin and Munin who would fly around the world and bring him information. In this culture, ravens symbolized wisdom and knowledge.

In some modern stories, ravens are also featured as mysterious and magical creatures. For example, in the popular book and TV series Game of Thrones, the three-eyed raven is a mystical creature that helps guide the main character.

Overall, ravens have played an important role in many cultures and continue to be celebrated in different ways.