Totems in the Sky: What the Raven Can Teach Us About Modern Drones

In the hum of a drone’s rotors, can we hear the echo of something ancient?

Before flight was forged from carbon fiber and code, it lived in the hearts and myths of the first people who gazed into the sky and knew it was sacred. For many indigenous tribes, that sky was not just a space to be measured—it was a spiritual realm. A place of omens, messengers, guardians.

And one figure flew above the rest: The Raven.

The Raven Totem: More Than Just a Bird

Among the tribes of the Pacific Northwest, the Raven was no ordinary creature. He was the trickster, the creator, the bringer of light. In legend, Raven stole the sun, moon, and stars and released them into a darkened world—not as a hero, necessarily, but as a clever shapeshifter whose mischief changed everything.

He crossed between worlds. He stirred transformation. He saw what others couldn’t—and then revealed it.

Sound familiar?

Modern Drones: Our New Sky Totems?

Fast forward to today, and we’ve built our own airborne messengers. Drones scan forests for wildfire risks, map disaster zones, deliver aid to the unreachable, and capture moments we could never see from the ground. They are tools of precision—but also extensions of perspective, allowing us to see the unseen.

Just like the Raven.

These modern "sky creatures" serve as:

• Messengers — bringing data, images, and sometimes even mercy.

• Light-bringers — illuminating hidden truths in remote or darkened places.

• Transformers — turning what was once invisible into actionable insight.

• Eyes Between Worlds — crossing the boundary between earth and sky, seen and unseen.

When a drone lifts off, it's not just flying—it’s witnessing. It’s watching over the land, just as Raven once did. And when it returns, it carries back revelation.

Totemic Tech: A New Way to See the Drone

What if we stopped thinking of drones as just tech—and started seeing them as modern-day totems?

Totems were never just decorative poles. They were spiritual signposts, stories carved into wood and time. Each figure on a totem represented a guiding force: the Bear for strength, the Owl for wisdom, the Wolf for loyalty... and the Raven for vision, transformation, and truth-telling.

To fly a drone today—especially for good—is to live out the story of Raven.

Flight with Purpose

At THE FLYING LIZARD, we don’t just fly. We listen. We honor what came before. We fly with reverence—for the Earth, for the stories in the land, for the mysteries in the sky.

We see drones not only as tools of technology, but as totems reborn—symbols of how far we’ve come, and how connected we still are to the ancient call of the wind.

Final Thought

The Raven brought light to the people when the world was dark. Maybe today, your drone can do the same.

So next time you launch into the sky, remember:

You’re not just flying.

You’re honoring a spirit that’s flown for centuries.

THE FLYING LIZARD

Where People and Data Take Flight

The world isn’t flat—and neither should your maps be.™