The Raven & Wolf In Teutonic & Scandinavian Mythology (An Overview) Both the Wolf and the Raven have long association with the Teutonic and Scandinavian cultures from which the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings arose and are often mentioned together in mythology and lore; for example in Saxon poetry, they (along with the eagle) presage the oncoming battle. Considered to be the sacred signatory animals of the chief God of the northern pantheon, Ƿōdan (Wodan) or Óðinn (Odin), the Allföðr (All-father), Ygg (the Terrible One), ‘Lord of the Slain’, Hangatyr (the Hanged God); two of each accompanied him, and were often referred to as feeding on ‘Yggr’s barley’, that is to say the bodies of those killed in battle. 19 th Century Engraving Of Wodan The Raven ( Corvus corax ) The Raven is a large, intelligent, long-lived bird (up to 80 years in captivity), whose black plumage exhibits a greenish, blue / purple iridescent, metallic sheen. Found across the northern hemisphere, it is the most widely distributed member of all the Corvidae or crow family. In the British Isles, the Raven was once extremely common with breeding pairs nesting in London until the 1850s, but because of persecution they are now mainly encountered in the north and west, where they prefer wooded or coastal areas with an expanse of open land nearby. Due to its size, the Raven has few natural predators, a mature bird can reach up to 30 inches (78 cm) in length with a wingspan of 59 inches (150 cm) and weights have been recorded of up to 4 1 / 2 lb (2 kg). Ravens mate for life raising just one brood each year. The clutch of 4 to 6 eggs is laid in