Tentacles and octopus effigies are commonly found in stainless steel jewellery in the UK, often worn by ocean-lovers.
But the octopus holds more meaning than simply showing an appreciation for the sealife.
The Octopus In Norse Legends
The deep seas have been the birthplace of many myths about terrifying creatures. One of the most enduring is that of the Kraken.
The Norse legend tells of a sea monster, the Kraken, with tentacled limbs like an octopus. It was described as a giant cephalopod of up to 34ft in length, that reigned the oceans, striking fear into the hearts of sailors.
The Norwegians were not the only sailors who believed in the creature’s existence. Versions can be found in other sea-faring cultures throughout the world.
Sea monsters even inspired a few novels, including Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne. In the story, the tentacled monster hunts down the sailing ship and attempts to drag it to the bottom of the ocean.
When you put on a pair of tentacle earrings or a stainless steel octopus ring, you might be interested to know some other meanings the sea creature holds.
Octopus Symbolism In Other Cultures
The octopus is not so scary outside of fiction. It is, however, a powerful symbol in many cultures due to its remarkable intelligence and cunning.
Ancient Greeks saw the octopus as a symbol of mystery and an animal connected closely to the wrathful god of the sea, Poseidon.
The Japanese believed the octopus to represent both positive and negative traits because of its shape-shifting and colour-changing abilities. In some folktales, an octopus could change into a human, bridging the metaphorical gap between sea and land.
In contrast to the Norse myths, Hawaiian cultures believed that an octopus brings good luck and a deep spiritual connection with the seas.
Modern Meanings Of Octopus Symbols
Today, there are many reasons to wear a stainless steel octopus pendant or tentacle ring. Octopuses have many admirable and aspirational traits we might want to be seen as having:
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Their ability to solve puzzles and multitask makes the octopus a symbol of overcoming problems, as well as intelligence
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They can adapt to environments and use camouflage, symbolising transformation and adaptability
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Regenerating their limbs is sometimes seen as a symbol of self-sacrifice, determination and endurance in the face of adversity
Perhaps you just like the look of our eight-limbed ocean friends, or want to inspire a little fear with a Kraken symbol. Whatever the reason, the octopus has a lot more meaning going on beneath the surface.
