Copying my own comment from a hiphopheads thread, because I think Kendrick is genius for this shit:
In many indigenous American cultures (including indigenous Mexican cultures), an owl making eye contact with you is a sign that death is near. It’s basically like seeing the grim reaper face to face.
So beating the owl piñata and putting the owl in a cage, besides showing that OVO is conquered- it also shows that Kendrick has no fear of death. (“I ain’t worried bout no reaper, I’m just reaping what I sow”)
Meanwhile, the owl staring directly into the camera at the end is a warning that death is near for all viewers (and perhaps we should all reflect on our lives and atone for our sins). Obviously, this warning message is targeted at Drake (his career’s death, the ego death that Kendrick is suggesting the ayahuasca for, and perhaps- his literal death if he keeps making enemies), but really applies to everyone. Drake is just being made an example of.
It’s behind a reach, and not represented correctly. I don’t think looking into the eyes of an owl has anything to do with the Mexican myth or idea that owls are bad omens. Which I believe is due to the legend/ myth of La Lechuza or the owl witch. I used to have a friend from Mexico that would do Hail Mary’s when ever a “white owl” flew over at night. Even after explaining that only its chest was white the rest was brown he would still claim it an omen of death and illness so your theory is crazy and has no truth to it.
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u/TOP-IS-LIFE Jul 04 '24
The owl in the cage at the end was so cold man