In Roman times the Owl was associated with a Celtic goddess of fertility. It is depicted on some Roman currencies as a status symbol of power. It represents intelligence, learning and wealth. In ancient Egyptian, Celtic, and Hindu cultures, the symbolic meaning of the owl refers to the underworld and protection. The owl was the ruler of the spirits in the darkness of the night and the seer. A common belief in ancient societies and to this day is that the death of an owl is inauspicious. Owls are believed to have played a more prominent role in ancient Celtic cults.