Minerva's owl
Bath's springs were dedicated to the Celtic goddess Sulis, identified by the Romans with their own goddess, Minerva.
Her Greek counterpart was Athene, symbol of Athens, where philosophy was born. She was the goddess of wisdom, patron of arts and crafts, and in her more militant role was a goddess of war and defender of the state. She was often depicted with an owl, symbol of wisdom. Perhaps the best-known image of her owl is that on ancient Athenian coins like this one from the 5th century BC.
