The Symbolic Sea Through the Ages: Myth, Monsters, and Scientific Inquiry

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The Symbolic Sea Through the Ages: Myth, Monsters, and Scientific Inquiry

Since ancient times, the sea has served as a profound symbol, embodying the vastness of human emotion and the mysteries of the unknown. From ancient myths, monsters, and deities to timeless works of literature, its waves have represented freedom, danger, and the depths of the human psyche. The ocean, often perceived as a reflection of humanity’s relationship with nature, has been understood as the source of life and a vital force throughout history.

Many creation myths from diverse cultures trace their origins to a primordial aquatic abyss, a formless chaos from which life emerged. In Egyptian mythology, the universe began with the Nu, an endless expanse of water. From this primordial sea, Atum, the **** of creation, arose, bringing forth the air (Shu) and moisture (Tefnut) to shape the cosmos. Similarly, Hindu tradition, dating back thousands of years, describes Brahma as having emerged from a lotus flower blooming from Lord Vishnu, the creator ****. In both narratives, the sea was not just a backdrop, but a crucial element in the genesis of existence itself.

The Greco-Roman worldview added to this ever-expanding narrative, believing that the earth was encircled by Oceanus, a great world river that birthed all seas and rivers. Oceanus was not merely a physical entity; he personified the boundary of the known world and was integral to their cosmology. The moon, sun, and stars were thought to arise from this mighty river, emphasizing the sea’s central role in the universe. Moreover, the sea was home to numerous deities who governed its tumultuous waters and represented the duality of the ocean as nurturing and destructive.

Oceanus – Trevi Fountain in Rome. (Livioandronico2013 /

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Top image: AI image of giant sea monster rising from the depths of the ocean.       Source:

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By Jessica Nadeau

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#Symbolic #Sea #Ages #Myth #Monsters #Scientific #Inquiry

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