"Unveiling the Dark: 7 Death-Linked Creatures"

Throughout history, certain animals have been associated with death and the afterlife in various cultures. These include crows, hornbills, dragonflies, vultures, bats, owls, and rats. Crows are seen as intelligent birds associated with war and bloodshed in Irish folklore, while hornbills are considered bad omens in southern and eastern Africa. Dragonflies are viewed as messengers of the spirits of the dead in Japan, and vultures are seen as holy creatures for disposing of the dead in some cultures. Bats, owls, and rats are also linked to death and the underworld in different mythologies and beliefs.