Why is the owl considered wise? Large eyes symbolise wisdom. As the owl has prominent eyes, some people consider it very wise. Perhaps for the same reason, it is associated with gods in some mythologies. Athena, the Greek goddess of knowledge and wisdom, transforms herself into an owl sometimes, and hence the Greeks consider the owl to be wise. In Hindu mythology, the goddess Laxmi is supposed to be accompanied by a white owl, and hence Hindus consider the owl a harbinger of prosperity.