The history and cultural evolution of the Kraken myth

The legend of the Kraken, a massive sea monster often depicted as a giant octopus, has transitioned from maritime folklore to a popular subject in modern media. While the specific description of the creature as a giant cephalopod gained prominence in the 1800s, traces of the myth date back centuries.

Historian and myth researcher Bo Eriksson from Stockholm University notes that in the Middle Ages, monsters were viewed as part of God's creation and were often perceived as guardians of treasures. In the context of the ocean, sea monsters were seen as the protectors of the sea's treasure: the fish.