Kraken

The Kraken ( kra’ ken, IPA: /ˈkrɑːkɛn/) are legendary sea monsters of gargantuan size, said to have dwelled off the coasts of Norway and Iceland. The sheer size and fearsome appearance attributed to the beasts have made them common ocean-dwelling monsters in various fictional works. The name Kraken is originated from the Old Norse word kraki.

Myths & Legends
These huge, multi-armed creatures would attack ships by wrapping their arms around their hulls to capsize them, and sometimes by thrusting their tentacles down with so much velocity as to snap large ships in half. Such attacks would often result in the crew drowning or being eaten by the monster.

Due to the many legends surrounding these creatures, they were commonly drawn on traditional maps before a full exploration of the oceans was made.

Origins
The legend of the Kraken may have originated from sightings of real giant squid, mollusks who normally live at great depths, but have been sighted at the surface and have reportedly "attacked" ships. These massive creatures resemble smaller squid species, but have been known to exceed 40 to 50 feet in length, sometimes maybe more. The Kraken could be one of them.

Gallery
Kraken/Gallery