The Kraken

mythology · ocean · giant squid · legends

Norwegian legend. The kraken comes from old stories told by sailors in Norway, who described an enormous sea monster living in the Norwegian Sea near Norway's coast.

Inspired by squids. Many people think the kraken legend started when sailors spotted real giant squids, which can grow to about 34 feet long, roughly the length of a school bus.

Monster of myths. The kraken became one of history's most famous sea creatures in stories and legends, even though no one has ever proven the monster actually existed.

Deep ocean mystery. Giant squids live so deep in the ocean that they are rarely seen alive, which might have made old sailors' imaginations run wild when they caught glimpses of them.

Sailor tales. The kraken's legend grew stronger over centuries as sailors shared scary stories about enormous tentacled creatures powerful enough to drag ships underwater.