Despite a commonly held belief among Mexicans that owls bring bad luck, Mexican potters here know their Japanese customers have a penchant for the nocturnal birds, and even consider them lucky.
"In Mexico, the owl means darkness, magic, night and death," said Florencio Rodriguez, 58, an artisan from Jalisco State, Mexico's biggest pottery center, which predates the arrival of Spanish colonists in the 16th century.
Rodriguez said that as far as legends go, many Mexicans, especially those of Indian descent, believe that when the owl sings, the Indian dies.
In small Mexican towns, the legends hold sway and many are still frightened of the creature.