In Greek mythology, a little owl traditionally accompanies Pallas Athena, the goddess of wisdom. Although Pallas Athena would not be the tutelary goddess of the Fraternity until 1891, an owl represents knowledge and wisdom, which coincided with Phi Delta Theta’s value of Sound Learning.

The Convention of 1880 is one of the most significant Phi Delta Theta Conventions due to its twenty-eight chapter delegates and 120 alumni members, the largest assembly yet held by any fraternity. It was at this convention the General Council approved The Constitution of 1880, which included a diagram of a chapter meeting hall, with a description that a part of the equipment should be a mounted owl and two banners, the first time an owl served as an emblem for Phi Delta Theta.