It is very easy to see why birds have been popular symbols. The ability for birds to fly, to reach all corners of the world, and to call the sky their home makes it easy to believe that they have powers or capabilities that we do not. In some cultures, they are believed to connect humans with their ancestors, to mediate between humans and Gods, to see the future, or even to be Creators. In some Native North American cultures, for example, ravens are believed to have brought fire from the sky. As a punishment for doing so, they were blackened by the fire. The raven is considered a sacred being. As the creator of the universe, the raven represents age and wisdom. He brings light and fresh water and teaches humans the ways of life on earth. At the same time, he plays tricks on others while others play tricks on him.