#Diving under the sea

[chasingrainbowsforever]

“Blue Whale” ~ By Mike Johnson

[beautyunderthewaves]

The Giant Oarfish

These beautiful fish grow up to 36 ft and are considered the longest bony fish of the modern day!

They are also thought to be a cosmopolitan species meaning that they are found in most oceans around the world!

[t00thpasteface]

put your head on my shoulder

[01432853]

Lost You Forever (2023) - EP 34

[lilacevans]

[jasminewalkerauthor]

Deep dives into folklore: Sea monsters

The vast and mysterious expanses of the world's oceans have long captured the human imagination. Throughout history, sailors and storytellers have shared tales of monstrous creatures lurking beneath the waves. These sea monsters, both mythical and literary, have evolved over time, reflecting the changing beliefs, fears, and knowledge of the societies that created them. This week we explore the fascinating evolution of sea monsters in literature and mythology, from their ancient origins to their modern interpretations.

The concept of sea monsters dates back to some of the earliest civilizations, such as the Sumerians and ancient Egyptians. In their mythologies, these cultures often depicted sea serpents and other monstrous beings as guardians of the underworld or as symbols of chaos and destruction. One of the earliest recorded sea monsters is the Babylonian dragon-god Tiamat, a primeval chaos monster who embodied the sea.

In Greek mythology, the sea monster Scylla, with her multiple heads and writhing tentacles, was feared by sailors who navigated the Strait of Messina. Scylla represented the dangers of the sea, as well as the unpredictable and uncontrollable forces of nature that ancient seafarers had to contend with.

During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, sea monsters took on a more symbolic and allegorical role in literature and art. The medieval bestiaries, encyclopedic collections of animal descriptions, often included fantastical sea creatures with moral lessons attached to them. These creatures were seen as manifestations of sin, temptation, and the unknown.

One of the most famous sea monsters of this period was the Kraken, a colossal cephalopod said to terrorize sailors off the coast of Norway. The Kraken embodied the fear of the deep sea and the dangers that awaited those who ventured too far from shore. It was also a metaphor for the vast, uncharted territories of the ocean.

The Age of Exploration in the 16th and 17th centuries brought about a new wave of sea monster lore. As European sailors ventured into uncharted waters, their accounts of strange and terrifying creatures fueled the imaginations of writers and readers alike. These tales often blended fact with fiction, as sailors encountered real but unfamiliar marine life, such as giant squids, which contributed to the mythos of sea monsters.

One of the most famous literary sea monsters is Captain Ahab's nemesis, Moby Dick, from Herman Melville's novel of the same name. Although Moby Dick is a sperm whale rather than a mythical creature, the obsessive pursuit of this massive white whale symbolized humanity's struggle against nature and the perils of obsession.

In the modern era, our understanding of the ocean and its inhabitants has deepened through scientific discovery. As a result, sea monsters have evolved from mythical creatures to fascinating, real-life creatures with unique adaptations. For instance, the colossal squid, with its enormous eyes and powerful tentacles, has captured the imagination of both scientists and the public.

While ancient sea monsters were often depicted as malevolent beings, modern interpretations are more nuanced. In literature and popular culture, sea monsters have become multifaceted characters, sometimes serving as protectors of the ocean's fragile ecosystems or representing the unknown wonders of the deep.

The evolution of sea monsters in literature and mythology reflects the ever-changing relationship between humans and the ocean. From ancient civilizations' fears of chaotic sea serpents to the allegorical monsters of the Middle Ages and the real-life marvels of the modern era, sea monsters have served as symbols of the human imagination and our evolving understanding of the natural world. As our knowledge of the ocean continues to expand, so too will our interpretations of the creatures that inhabit its depths, ensuring that sea monsters will continue to captivate our minds and inspire our stories for generations to come.

Taglist:

@axl-ul @crow-flower @thoughts-fromthevoid @alderwoodbooks @harleyacoincidence

Reply/reblog to be added

[dianewebber]

[mityenka]

thw titanic submarine drama is like poetry to me

[fairybluedreams]

Vote Rice's Whale 2023!!

Go vote for your favorite whales at @whaleswagbracket !!!

{Links for more info under the read more}

https://healthygulf.org/campaigns/rices-whale/ 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rice%27s_whale 

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/rices-whale 

[goculi]

Like this picture? Click on one of the tags below to find similar images in our archives.

[jhsharman]

"A Day to Remember"

Cloud coloring. I guess the darkening makes it somewhat more evocative, but I do not think there is any clean reason for the difference -- orange and yellow.

They dropped a digit in the phone number. Maybe it moves the replicating one extra degree -- yes, a 555 area code squashes you at the out-set, but just in case -- you are a digit off from anything.

Purple skies.

[wonderkat11]

SMBxSSBU || Rosalina the Scuba Diving Hunter

I present to you....Aqua Rosalina the Scuba Diving Hunter who explores atlantis all over, under the sea, & see so many islands the hunter goes! Yep, I have Aqua Rosalina holding a map to guide her where she wanted to go for, & can be a merfolk hunter who explore & see the merfolk from all over the world! & for that, she is the one who can travel the sea worldwide in the Comet observatory! Made in IbisPaintX for Digital Art maker. Rules: DO NOT STEAL MY ART! No Rude Comments please. Rosalina belongs to Super Mario Bros. & Super Smash Bros. (Nintendo). See also:  SpeedPaint: www.youtube.com/shorts/CaZ2eT4…

[beautyunderthewaves]

Lion’s Mane Sea Jellies 💜🧡💛

[jeonghoneyss]

things have been crazy busy but i've finally managed to sit down and do a bit of writing and guess what! i've somehow spawned a whole new wip!

[thresholdbb]

Year of Hell is just very submarine coded and I must dive deep

[lilacevans]