We see them rarely in real life but they’re often in fairytales, saga’s and movies. In many cultures it was given a certain meaning.
Owls are seen as mysterious and mystic, living in the dark. That’s why it was thought they’re connected with (black) magic and you see them often with witches and magicians. As nightbird it got symbol of the the dark, the devil. They were spooky with their staring big eyes and could suddenly (dis)appear.
Thanks to their sharp senses and special commodities it was associated with wisdom. 
In many cultures the owl is seen as a mythological bird. 
The Christians see it as symbol of night and death and so of the disbelievers. 
The Greek and Romans had the owl as symbol of wisdom. Athena (goddess of wisdom) had an owl which could also predict future.
The Sjaman sees the owl as the animal part of our personality. Their wisdom and power can guide us. They’re adventurous, independent, enthousiast, optimistic, a warm personality. But sometimes too intens, tactless and exaggerated.
When the owl flies into your life it wants you to look something in the eye….
Uhm, I opened a magazine yesterday directly at a page with a big picture of the owl, what’s the message here?! 

A bird with a flat face, a small hooked beak and large eyes that hunts small mammals at night.
The wingspans can be up to 2.0 metres (6.6 feet). They have large feet with sharp talons. Some have “ear” tufts. Owls are found on all continents. Sound is important to owls, especially in mating and territorial defense. Camouflage, daytime immobility, and silent flight may combine to make it as difficult for owls to see each other as it is for natural enemies and human observers to see them. The nocturnal routine of most owls involves peaks of activity at dusk and dawn. Owls lay more eggs than most raptors, with clutches of up to 12.