Multicultural Manners : Owls and Elephants

In the movie, “Operation Dumbo Drop,” Linh is a Vietnamese boy and caretaker of the elephant, Bo-Tat. Linh talks with some American soldiers about Vietnamese beliefs.

He tells them if they touch an elephant, it will bring good luck, but he warns that if they hear an owl’s cry, someone will die.

What does it mean?

The owl has long been associated with ominous beliefs and many people besides the Vietnamese have interpreted the owl’s hooting as a harbinger of death. In ancient Rome, it is told that Caesar’s murder was heralded by the screeching of owls. In Wales, an owl’s call foretells death, and some Welsh believe a child born to the sound of the owl will suffer a cruel life. An Aztec proverb cautions that an Indian will die when the owl sings. Across the United States, too, one finds a common association between death and the owl’s cry.

In contrast, elephants are frequently thought of as symbols of good luck outside of Vietnam, as well. Since most folks can’t touch real elephants, people often collect replicas of them as good luck symbols. For some Latin Americans, these elephant representations must have trunks that curve upward to retain the good fortune.

In India, Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity, is one of the most worshiped gods. Good luck is reflected in Ganesha’s title, “The Lord of Obstacles” because he overcomes obstacles to bring success, wisdom, and wealth.