Mythic Beings
The way human beings have interacted with the ocean can be represented in the myths they create. Myths are traditional folkloric stories that explain a natural phenomenon, typically through the use of supernatural beings such as gods. The foundation of many ancient cultures was based on the mythology they created. Ancient civilizations have conceived of myths to explain the creation of life, the origin of fire, or even why water flows. This extends to their perspective on the ocean– many mysteries lie in the great deep blue, and so they have invented their own stories to capture their imaginative ideas about the ocean. This ranges anywhere from the sirens' song luring sailors to their death, to gargantuan sea monsters swallowing ships whole.
A culture’s values and beliefs will appear prominently in the myths they create, and this can result in multiple interpretations of a similar creature. Historically, ancient civilizations have come up with creatures with comparable features despite geographical barriers, such as the iconic mermaid. Certain cultures’ version of the mermaid is a depiction of wickedness, but others are a sign of safe passage. This exhibit will explore the different interpretations of the most recognizable categories of sea creatures: Mermaids and sirens, water dragons and sea serpents, and ginormous squids.