Raven is one of the most significant figures in Northwest Coast mythology and art. Revered by many First Nations along the Northwest Coast of North America, he serves as both a crest figure and a guardian spirit, holding deep cultural importance in numerous communities.
Clever and cunning, Raven is a trickster—mischievous, curious, and often selfish. He is always scheming, using deception to serve his own interests.
Raven is a magical creature that can easily assume any shape. He can be human, an animal, or any inanimate object.
Countless stories recount Raven’s role in shaping the world and teaching lessons about morality. The Haida tell stories of how Raven discovered and freed the first men who had been trapped in a clam shell. He then freed the first women from another shell and brought the men and the women together. He also stole salmon and deposited them in the rivers all along the coast to provide food for the people. Another story explains that he played a significant role in transforming the world by first stealing, then placing the sun, the moon, and the stars in the sky.
In First Nations mythology of the Northwest Coast, Raven has two sides. On one hand he is creative, intelligent and adventurous. On the other hand he can be extremely self serving and mischievous.
Raven is depicted in many Northwest Coast Native art prints: White Raven, Sharing Knowledge, Five Ravens, Tree of Life and more.