The kraken is a legendary sea-monster of enormous proportions. Described as a cephalopod resembling a giant octopus or squid, this beast is said to be capable of enveloping whole ships in the grasp of its tentacles and dragging them beneath the depths. Kraken have been spoken of in sailors' tales and featured in various works of fiction since the 13th century and remain a common theme in popular culture today. These monsters are said to dwell off the coasts of Norway and Greenland.
Appearance and origins
Since the late 18th century, kraken have been depicted in a number of ways, primarily as large octopus-like creatures, and it has often been alleged that Pontoppidan's kraken might have been based on sailors' observations of the giant squid. The kraken is also depicted to have spikes on its suckers. In the earliest descriptions, however, the creatures were more crab-like than octopus-like, and generally possessed traits that are associated with large whales rather than with giant squid. Some traits of kraken resemble undersea volcanic activity occurring in the Iceland region, including bubbles of water; sudden, dangerous currents; and appearance of new islets.