TY Baker.
In several cultures around the world owls are a bad omen, usually signaling death.
Inuit and Chinese that I know of.
I once had an Asian landlord who freaked pretty bad when an owl showed up one evening. To me owls are great at taking care of night rodents.
I don't have any owl pins or broaches so when I see a real life owl I think of rodent control and little else.