Pop Statue of an Owl on an Engraved Base in Coloured PlasterHandcrafted coloured owl idol. The owl symbolizes prudence and wisdom. It was the sacred bird of Goddess Athena, as well as the emblem of the city of Athens. One of Athena's bynames was "glaucopis" (deriving from the Greek word "" (owl)), which means "with gleaming blue eyes". The owl was protected and nestled in abundance around the Acropolis as a proof that it was blessed by the goddess. But Athena, except for being the Goddess of prudence and