Editing Tytonidae (section)

===Cultural aspects===
Common names such as "demon owl", "death owl", "ghost owl", or "lich owl" (from ''lich'', an old term for a corpse) show that rural populations in many places considered barn owls to be birds of evil [[omen]]. For example, the [[Tzeltal people]] in Mexico regard them as "disease givers".<ref>{{Cite book |title=Almas y cuerpo en una tradición indígena tzeltal |last=Pitarch |first=P. |publisher=Archives de sciences sociales des religions |year=2000 |pages=31–47}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Pitarch |first=P. |date=2000 |title=Almas y cuerpo en una tradición indígena tzeltal |journal=Archives de sciences sociales des religions |volume=112 |language=es |issue=112 |pages=31–48 |doi=10.4000/assr.20245 |doi-access=free}}</ref> These owls do not "hoot", instead emitting raspy screeches and hissing noises, and their white face and underbelly feathers, visible as they fly overhead, make them look "ghostly". Consequently, they were often killed by farmers who were unaware of the benefits these birds bring.<ref name=UFNews>{{cite web |url=http://news.ufl.edu/1999/10/28/owls1/ |title=Spooky owl provides natural rodent control for farmers |date=1999 |author=Spence, C. |publisher=University of Florida |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307224545/http://news.ufl.edu/1999/10/28/owls1/ |archive-date=2014-03-07 |work=UF News |access-date=2014-07-14}}</ref> Negative perceptions can also be attributed to the false belief that they could eat large animals, such as chickens and cats.<ref>{{cite news |title=Farmers, Conservationists Seek Return of Barn Owls |work=National Geographic News |last1=Brendle|first1=A. |url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/10/1030_021030_BarnOwls.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021102103002/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/10/1030_021030_BarnOwls.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 November 2002 |access-date=14 May 2017}}</ref> In [[Thailand]], people believe that when the barn owl flies over or perches on the roof of any house, the inhabitants of that house will die.<ref name=oo/><ref>{{cite web |trans-title=Poor barn owl with Thai beliefs |date=2018 |first=T. |last=Pattanamongkol |title=นแสกผู้น่าสงสารกับความเชื่อแบบไทยๆ |language=thai |work=Sarakadee |accessdate=2022-12-12 |url=https://www.sarakadee.com/2018/09/10/%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%81%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%9C%E0%B8%B9%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3/ }}</ref> In South Africa, barn owls are often associated with witchcraft and are persecuted. In some South African cultures, these owls are used in {{lang|af|[[muthi]]}}, a form of [[traditional medicine]], and are believed to give special powers when consumed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gumede, P. |title=Ministries hosts talk on owls |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/SouthAfrica/Local/South-Coast-Fever/ministries-hosts-talk-on-owls-20160426 |access-date=2020-06-08 |work=News24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=People who give a hoot for raptors |work=Iol |url=https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/north-west/people-who-give-a-hoot-for-raptors-2067784 |access-date=2020-06-08}}</ref>

In [[India]], [[Hindus]] consider the barn owl to be the mount and symbol of [[Lakshmi]], goddess of wealth and fortune.<ref name=oo>{{cite web |url=https://www.thaipbs.or.th/program/catchup/99049 |work=Thai PBS |language=thai |date=2022 |accessdate=2022-12-12 |title=นกแสก |trans-title=Barn owl |author=Kerdmamai, S.}}</ref>

[[Mummified]] barn owls from [[Ancient Egypt]] have also been found.<ref name=Gautier>{{citation |journal=Archaeofauna |volume=14 |pages=139–170 journal |last1=Gautier |first1=A. |date=2005 |title=Animal mummies and remains from the Necropolis of Elkab (Upper Egypt) |url=https://revistas.uam.es/archaeofauna/article/view/7441}}</ref>