The Kraken Monster in Norse Mythology: Myths, Powers, and Symbols

If you've ever heard the phrase "Release the Kraken!"—whether in a film like Pirates of the Caribbean or on a viral Kraken meme—you might already be intrigued by the sheer size and mystery of this mythical sea beast. But beyond pop culture references lies a rich history of legend, fear, and symbolism. 

You may be wondering: what is a Kraken, and is it real? This blog post explores the story of the mythical Kraken in Norse mythology and beyond, exploring its meaning, power, and influence—both ancient and modern.

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The Kraken is a legendary sea monster said to dwell off the coasts of Norway and Greenland. In Norse mythology and later Scandinavian folklore, the Kraken was depicted as an enormous creature—often described as a giant octopus or squid—that could drag entire ships and their crews beneath the waves.

The term "Kraken" itself likely stems from the Old Norse word krake, meaning a twisted or unhealthy animal. Unlike some mythological creatures that take human or divine forms, the Kraken is entirely monstrous—an embodiment of the deep sea’s unknown terrors.

So, what does Kraken mean? Put simply, Kraken refers to a massive, tentacled sea creature feared for its immense size and destructive force.

The stories surrounding the Kraken have evolved over centuries, blending seafaring folklore with mythological imagination. These tales reveal how people once explained the dangers of the deep sea through the image of a colossal sea creature.

One of the earliest written references to the Kraken appears in the 13th-century Icelandic Örvar-Oddr saga. In this tale, the Kraken is described as a sea monster so large it could be mistaken for an island. Sailors feared sailing too close, as what looked like land could suddenly rise and reveal itself as a living creature, dragging ships into the depths.

A common myth from Scandinavian folklore describes the Kraken as a cunning predator that would lure fish to the surface. This created a rich fishing ground that tempted sailors to draw near—only for the Kraken to attack. With huge tentacles and a swirling whirlpool created by its movement, it could drag boats underwater before anyone had a chance to escape.

Not all myths portray the Kraken as deliberately malicious. In some stories, the creature is simply so massive that it causes destruction without even realising it. As it surfaces or dives, the displacement of water could capsize ships, and its mere presence was enough to generate storms and strong currents. This version presents the Kraken as a force of nature—indifferent, unstoppable, and terrifying.

In Norse storytelling, creatures like the Kraken often symbolised the chaos and unpredictability of nature. The sea was essential to Norse life, providing both opportunity and danger. The Kraken represented the fear of the unknown—what lies beneath, what can’t be controlled.

Unlike Norse gods like Thor or Odin, the Kraken wasn’t worshipped or honoured. Instead, it served as a powerful warning. It reminded sailors and storytellers alike of the dangers lurking in the ocean’s depths. As such, the mythology Kraken played a supporting but memorable role in illustrating the relationship between humans and nature.

So, what is the Kraken capable of? According to legend, the Kraken had incredible strength and reach, with tentacles that could wrap around entire ships. It could cause massive whirlpools by simply diving back into the ocean.

Some myths even claim that the Kraken could release a dark ink cloud—much like a squid—to obscure its movements or trap its prey. While this sounds like typical sea creature behaviour, the scale of the Kraken’s actions made it monstrous.

Interestingly, the Kraken wasn’t just strong—it was also cunning. Certain legends suggest that it would lie in wait beneath schools of fish, using them as bait to lure in boats before attacking.

As for the Kraken's weaknesses, few stories offer any clear method of defeating it. Instead, survival usually depended on avoiding the beast altogether. According to most tales, you'd be better off steering well clear than trying to take it down.

While the Kraken may not have specific symbols in the traditional sense, several powerful themes and ideas are commonly linked to this legendary sea monster:

Unlike many mythological creatures, the Kraken doesn't have a clear parentage. It’s not usually linked to gods or other beings, and its origins remain murky. However, in modern fantasy, connections have sometimes been drawn between the Kraken and other sea monsters—such as the Biblical Leviathan or Greek sea deities.

Some wonder: Is the Leviathan a Kraken? While both are giant sea creatures, they come from different traditions. The Leviathan, mentioned in the Bible, is often considered more dragon-like or serpentine. The Kraken is more tentacled and is rooted in Norse and Scandinavian lore.

Still, the two share themes of chaos, destruction, and the unknowable forces of the ocean.

Out of all mythical sea monsters, the mythic Kraken has endured the longest in the popular imagination. Part of its appeal lies in its ambiguity—is it real or just a tale? Its form is both alien and familiar, combining features of actual sea animals (like squids and octopuses) into something terrifyingly exaggerated.

So why are Krakens scary? It's not just their size—it’s what they represent. The fear of being dragged into the deep, the sudden danger of calm seas, the idea that something massive and ancient could be lurking just beneath your boat. The Kraken taps into all of that.

You’ll find the Kraken almost everywhere today—from films and books to video games and memes. The phrase “Release the Kraken”, made famous by the film Clash of the Titans and echoed in Pirates of the Caribbean, has become part of pop culture. It’s used to signal unleashing a hidden force or power, sometimes humorously, sometimes seriously.

In some modern retellings, the Kraken is even depicted as a weapon controlled by gods or sea captains—like Davy Jones commanding the Kraken in Pirates of the Caribbean. This has led many to ask, Is Davy Jones the Kraken? While the two are separate beings, in the film universe, Davy Jones has control over the Kraken, using it as a tool of fear and destruction.

Then there’s the popularity of Kraken memes, which often exaggerate the monster’s size or mysterious behaviour for comedic effect. But despite the humour, the Kraken continues to symbolise power, unpredictability, and awe.

Unlike gods or spirits, the Kraken wasn’t worshipped in a religious sense. However, its legend lived on in sailors' tales, warnings passed down through generations, and regional folklore.

People didn’t seek favour from the Kraken—they feared it. But this fear gave the Kraken a powerful legacy. It became part of the mythological framework that explained natural phenomena, like sudden shipwrecks, missing vessels, or strange currents at sea.

You may be wondering: Does the Kraken still exist? Or has a Kraken ever been found? While there’s no concrete evidence of a creature as large as the legendary Kraken, real-life giant squids—once thought to be myths themselves—have been discovered in the deep ocean, feeding speculation that the Kraken myth may have some basis in reality.

There’s no scientific evidence that the Kraken exists exactly as described in myth, with enormous tentacles dragging ships into the sea. However, the discovery of real-life giant squids—once thought to be sailors’ tall tales—suggests that the legend may have been inspired by actual sightings of mysterious deep-sea creatures.

Traditional stories place the Kraken in the cold, remote waters off the coasts of Norway and Greenland. These northern seas, with their rough conditions and little-explored depths, provided the perfect backdrop for tales of an unseen giant lurking beneath the waves.

The Kraken is said to feast on whales, large fish, and even ships with their entire crews. In mythical stories, its size meant it needed huge amounts of food, while in reality, creatures like the giant squid feed on fish and other marine animals in the deep ocean.

As a mythical creature, the Kraken doesn't have a population count—but if it were real, it would likely be incredibly rare. The rarity of giant squid sightings today keeps the legend alive, with some wondering if more massive creatures remain undiscovered in the ocean’s depths.

Most myths don’t explain a clear method for destroying the Kraken, focusing instead on avoiding it altogether. The creature is typically portrayed as indestructible, with heroes surviving only by escaping its reach rather than engaging in battle.

In Norse mythology, there’s no widely recognised account of anyone killing the Kraken. However, in modern stories and films, gods, warriors, or mythical captains sometimes claim victory over the beast, usually with great effort and a touch of fantasy.

The Kraken is not considered a god but rather a monstrous sea creature. That said, in some fictional adaptations, it is shown as a tool or servant of powerful beings, such as Davy Jones or sea deities, used to instil fear and enforce control.

This is a popular "what if" scenario in books and online debates. While the Megalodon was a massive prehistoric shark, the Kraken has mythical, almost magical abilities—so any outcome would depend on which version of the legend or creature you’re imagining.

Most traditional tales do not assign a gender to the Kraken, and it’s usually referred to as “it.” The focus is more on its scale and terror than on its biological characteristics, leaving its gender open to interpretation.

Drawing from biology, octopuses have three hearts, so it’s often assumed the Kraken might share this trait. However, since the Kraken is a creature of myth, the number of hearts it has can vary depending on the story being told.

Over the centuries, there have been numerous accounts of sea monster sightings that may have been inspired by encounters with giant squids or other large sea animals. These sightings helped shape the Kraken legend, fuelling belief in its existence for generations.

Norse mythology is full of fascinating gods, legends, and deeper meanings waiting to be explored. If you’re fascinated by The Kraken and Norse mythology, why not take your knowledge further? At Centre of Excellence, you can enrol in the Norse Mythology Diploma Course for just £29! Learn about the gods, myths, and legends in greater depth and explore the rich history of the Vikings.