Have you ever gazed upon an ancient pirate chart and pondered the peculiar creatures depicted on it? Throughout history, sailors would produce such maps and populate them with terrifying beasts that they believed they had encountered. These creatures were likely nothing more than dolphins or seals, yet in the absence of contemporary marine biology, they appeared as sea monsters in an uncharted region of the world. This era was dominated by folklore, and the tales of these monsters terrorized generations of sailors' wives.
1621:The creature is called Jasconius, and according to legend, Saint Brendan alighted on it, but soon noted the ridges of scales and recognized that this was not an island.
1603: Abraham Ortelius released a map showcasing the Steipereidur, which appears to be intimidating yet actually battles other more hazardous creatures to protect fishermen.
1573: A bizarre mixture of a sting ray and some other unidentified creature, the Sea Eagle was a frightful fabrication of map makers of that time. It was rumoured that a person who captured one and presented it to a king would be immensely rewarded.
1572: It is unclear what inspired this Sea Chimera, however, it is possible that it is a figment of cabin fever induced imagination. This creature has a tail of a serpent, burning with flame, and a face resembling a bird with feathers that give off smoke.
1570:Resembling the Sirens of ancient Greek tales, Mermaid sightings were widespread among seafarers who had been isolated from any female company for months.
1560:Mediterranean sailors had a dread of Cherub Seals, giant seals with visages resembling that of a human child. Yet, the true peril was the wolfish Ziphius which pursued them.
1555: Initially, the Sea Serpent was a Norwegian fable, and today, alleged sightings of the Loch Ness Monster maintain its legend.
1554:The Sea Bishop is an unusual idea, as it implies that there is a kingdom of devoted mermaid Catholics in the depths of the sea. This era was characterized by religious discord, which is why it is understandable that the monsters began to take on the form of churchmen.
1250: The Kraken is one of the most renowned monsters in oceanic folklore. Its Scandinavian origin made it notorious, not for its tentacles, but for the whirlpool it caused when it moved.
1101:Throughout Switzerland in the 12th century, it was widely accepted that each land creature had a marine equivalent. This is the origin of the Elephant Fish.
As I take in these monsters, a desire for an unknown world with these legends stirs inside me. On the flipside, the thought of sharks is enough to discourage me from entering the sea, so maybe it's better they don't exist.