Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-6192846-20140918010005/@comment-16524302-20141224210444

To quote a website I read, "This is a collection of works by Hieronymus Bosch featuring the owl as a symbolic animal to be interpreted infront of a dualistic medieval background: the owl as a creature that used to symbolize merits of wisdom becomes associated with heresy, mockery and the foolishness of man. Wherever man reaches out for knowledge, for riches, for pleasure or for salvation an owl is placed aloof, gleefully observing the scene."

I don't know if it is a trustworthy source, however, owls seem to be frequet in Bosch's works. The owl as well, if I am not mistake, is a bird which accepts the fact that there is evil in the world and does nothing to prevent it. If there is any symbolism towards the owl, I think it is something in these lines.