Ocean Myths

Greek Mythology

Poseidon

• Poseidon was the god of the sea, earthquakes and horses. Poseidon was the brother of Zeus and Hades. These three gods divided creation between them. Zeus ruled the sky, Hades ruled the Underworld, and Poseidon was given all water, both fresh and salt.

• Oceanus – The son of Uranus and Gaea, Oceanus was a basic force which helped form the world.

• Nereus – Was the son of Pontus and Gaea. He was born when the world was being formed. He was called "The Old Man of the Sea". He ruled the depths of the Aegean Sea. He came to assist sailors and gave them advice.

• Proteus – He was also known as another "Old Man of the Sea". His parents were Oceanus and Tethys. His role was to guard Poseidon’s herd of seals. Everyday at noon he rested on rocks after coming ashore.

• The Tritons – They were half-man and half-fish. They lived in the sea, but they sometimes ventured to land.

• Triton – Poseidon’s son. He shared some of the powers of the god Poseidon. He could quiet or raise the waves, and he could be seen riding the waves in a chariot.

• The Sirens – The Sirens used their voices and musical talent in the oceans. They led sailors to their deaths by attracting them with their songs.

The sea is very important to the islanders of Polynesia. The existence of the sea is accepted as a fact in the mythology of the Oceanic people. There are myths which explain the origin of the sea. One type says that the gods created the oceans. Another myth says it was formed when the sac of the primeval octopus broke. The sea-spirit or adaro appears in many Polynesian and Melanesian legends and cult practices in one form or another.

In Japanese myths, the sea has several gods. The greatest is O-Wata-Tsu-Mi, also known as Old Man of the Tide, Shio-Zuchi. Fish and all the sea creatures are ruled by the Sea god and his messenger the sea monster called Wani.

Chinese Mythology

In Chinese mythology, the deity T'ien Hou protects sailors and helps capture pirates. T'ien Hou was an ordinary girl who lived on the island of Mei-Chou. She had four brothers who were sailors. One day the brothers did not return from a voyage.  T'ien Hou fainted. When she was awakened, T'ien Hou was very upset.   She said she had been awakened too soon.  A little later, three of her brothers came home and said that they had been in a terrible storm. Suddenly, their sister miraculously appeared to them and saved them from the storm.  The fourth brother never returned because T'ien Hou woke up before she could help him. After she died, T'ien Hou became the Empress of Heaven