The term parliament as a collective noun for owls has a fascinating and somewhat poetic origin, which ties into both cultural symbolism and literary influence.
Symbolism of Wisdom
Owls have long been associated with wisdom in various cultures, particularly in Western tradition. The ancient Greeks, for instance, considered the owl a symbol of Athena, the goddess of wisdom, who was often depicted with an owl perched on her shoulder. In this context, the owl’s reputation for wisdom likely stemmed from its ability to see in the dark, its silent flight, and its solemn, almost mysterious nature. This connection between the owl and wisdom, which runs deep in mythology, folklore, and even in modern language (e.g., the phrase “wise old owl”), contributed to the idea that owls might be seen as embodying intellect and thoughtful deliberation.
Historical and Literary Influence
The more specific term “parliament” for a group of owls likely has roots in English literature and the medieval tradition of associating groups of animals with specific, often poetic collective nouns. In the 15th century, writers and poets started to coin these names, often drawing on symbolic meanings. A “murder” of crows, a “gaggle” of geese, and even a “pride” of lions—all were intended to evoke certain qualities of the animals or the social behaviors associated with them.
The term parliament likely came into use during the medieval period, a time when the English word for an official meeting or council was “parliament.” This word was used to describe the assembly of people who came together to deliberate and make decisions. The symbolism here is fairly direct: the group of owls, often seen as wise, might be imagined as a council or assembly of wise beings, much like a parliamentary gathering of wise individuals.
A key moment in the popularization of this term can be traced to William Shakespeare, who mentions a parliament of owls in his play Hamlet (1600). The full reference is actually to a “parliament of fowls” in general, in the context of a larger metaphor, but owls were certainly included in such groupings due to their association with wisdom and solemnity.
The Oxford English Dictionary and Further Adoption
By the time of the 18th century, the term “parliament” to describe a group of owls had become more widely accepted, especially among naturalists, poets, and writers, as it captured the elevated, dignified nature that owls symbolized. In fact, many animal group names during this time were influenced by poetic and literary traditions, which made names like “parliament” more metaphorical and artistic rather than strictly scientific.
While the collective noun parliament has stuck, it’s still relatively uncommon in everyday language. “Hoot” or simply “group” are more likely to be used to describe an assembly of owls in modern contexts, though the term persists as a colorful and culturally rich piece of language.
The Bottom Line
In essence, a parliament of owls encapsulates the notion of wisdom and deliberation—traits that have been long associated with the owl in various mythologies and in Shakespeare’s literary works. This term blends together the natural world’s observation of owls with the human desire to imbue animals with symbolic meaning, especially as it relates to the idea of wise councils or gatherings of learned individuals.