Kraken Legends May Have Been Inspired by Giant and Colossal Squid

Stories of the mythical kraken dragging ships beneath the waves may trace back to real encounters with enormous squid.

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The term kraken originates from Scandinavian folklore dating back to at least the 18th century.

Sailors in the North Atlantic described massive tentacled creatures long before modern marine biology identified species like Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni and Architeuthis dux.

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Although the colossal squid inhabits Antarctic waters far from early European shipping routes, exaggerated reports of large squid likely merged into enduring sea legends.

These myths reveal how rare sightings of deep-sea giants can shape cultural narratives long before scientific validation catches up.

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Smithsonian Magazine

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