Sea legends

As an academician researching the historical traces of maritime culture, Mustafa Gürbüz Beydiz looks at the subject from the perspective of mythology as well as art history. Beydiz, who is especially interested in deciphering the motif symbolic language of the decorations on historical wooden ships, has many articles and books. His article titled “Ship Decorations Shaped by the Mythological Foundations of Thalassophobia” shows how wide the dimensions of maritime culture can expand.

While the forms of cults can change over time, their purposes can serve similar beliefs. The motive to be protected, to be blessed, to drive out demons, to stay away from evil has always existed for mankind. Changes in form over time have led to the emergence of cultural differences. Cultural heritage continues to guide researchers through narratives and reflections in works of art. Since marine culture is a vital element of societies living on the coasts, it is no wonder that myths glorify and deify the sea. Interpreting the meaning of the sea for humankind through myths turns into an adventure of discovering the mind of the past.

In the earliest times, animals sacrificed on behalf of the gods or for protection from evil became cults. The holy books record that Prophet Noah built an ark against the flood that saved all species. The Sumerian epic Gilgamesh also mentions reaching Utnapishtim in the underground sea in order to have the herb of immortality. That is to say, mankind has seen the continuity of life as dependent on dominating the sea and overcoming its power. Narratives portray the sea as frightening. People of the sea always ask for blessings and mercy from the sea. In pagan beliefs, sea creatures are monsters and cause fear. All this led to the search for ways to protect oneself from fear of the sea (thalassophobia), and myths were eventually replaced by depictions and wood carvings. As sailors believed that the decorations they carried on their boats would bring them luck, wooden boats turned into artistic works of water.

In Australian Aboriginal myths, the god of the sea is called Tangaroa and is believed to be the ancestor of fish, sea creatures, and reptiles. It is very important to please him before going to sea. The god of the sea in Chinese myths is called Yu Kiang and is also the ruler of heaven. He is depicted with the body of a fish and riding two dragons. In Japanese Shinto myths, the name of the sea god becomes Ryujin. He has jewels that regulate the tides and can be used as weapons. In Mesopotamia, the underground source of rivers and streams is believed to be an ocean. This underground ocean called Apsû is also where Enki, the god of wisdom, lives.

Greek and Roman myths, which come to mind first when we think of mythology, also have many gods related to the sea. Poseidon is the god of the seas and earthquakes, and in Roman times he took the name Neptune. He was the child of Kronos, the father of Zeus, and Reia and was given the power to rule the seas. He swells the seas with his trident, gushing water from the earth or rocks. If the winds blow without his knowledge, and creates a storm at sea, he is the one who calms things down and brings out the sun.

In Turkish myths, the god of the sea is known by two different names. The first of these is Ak Ata, and the other is Talay Kan. Ak Ata represents life because he is the protector of the waters. It symbolizes nobles and leaders. According to shaman belief, he can turn into a fish when necessary. Talay Kan is seen as a sea spirit in Altai societies. His home is at the confluence of the seventeen seas. Various sacrifices must be made for him. Especially a red bull that is less than three years old is preferred. He is the most powerful of the spirits. While Ak Ata has masculine characteristics, Talay Kan looks like a tall, long-haired, large-breasted woman.

It should not be considered strange that the cults used in the fore and stern sections of the ships bear traces of mythology. The painting of the ships in sacred colors and the protection of the ships with carved wood sculptures continued even after the belief systems changed. Although when the ship’s head figures started to be placed on the fore is unknown, archaeological findings indicate a date of approximately six thousand years ago. Considering that the tradition of sacrificing at boat launching ceremonies continued in the Ottoman Empire, it becomes clear that we are perhaps talking about one of the longest- lasting traditions of humanity.

Throughout history, mankind has considered some animals sacred and sought spiritual peace by sacrificing them on important occasions. On the other hand, they have also cultivated them and turned them into works of art. For example, the lion figure was symbolically preferred for ships because it is fast, brave, a warrior and has a ruling power. The lion has been a symbol that has been assigned a role in almost every culture. Heracles’ killing of the lion of Nemea in the Greek myths and Samson’s splitting a lion in two with his arm strength in the Torah are the first examples that come to mind. The fact that this scene adorns the rudder of a boat exhibited in Amsterdam’s Het Scheepvaartmuseum must be an indication that mythology is still alive.