The Kraken is one of the most fearsome and famous legendary sea monsters to terrorize sailors on the high seas. This beast is often described as a gigantic cephalopod-like creature. It resembles an enormous octopus or giant squid with many strong tentacles. In some Scandinavian stories, the Kraken terrorizes ships and sailors, dragging crews to the bottom of the sea. Other Norse sagas and folk tales say that the Kraken causes whirlpools that capsize ships. Sometimes, Krakens are described as huge, smelly beasts which draw fish to the surface. In all of these tales, Krakens are large and formidable.
Official Kraken sightings were first recorded in the waters surrounding Norway, Greenland, and Iceland over 800 years ago. Accounts of the Kraken are sometimes accompanied by drawings showing the monster to be around 50 feet in length. The sheer size and fearsome appearance of the Kraken make it one of the most terrifying and impressive mythical sea monsters of all time! Continue reading from Greek Gods and Goddesses
A Deep Dive on the Kraken (How Stuff Works)
Kraken: Fearsome Giant Sea Monster of Norse Legend (Geek Gods and Goddesses)
The Kraken is Real: Scientist Films First Footage of a Giant Squid (NPR)
The Kraken: Overview of Tennyson (Literature Resource Center)
Legend of the Kraken vs. the Actual Giant Squid (Ranker)
The Legendary Kraken (The UnMuseum)
The Real-Life Origins of the Legendary Krakens (The Conversation)
