Various human cultures have for millennia depicted pinnipeds.
The anthropologist, A. Asbjørn Jøn, has analysed beliefs of the Celts of Orkney and Hebrides who believed in selkies—seals that could change into humans and walk on land.
Seals are also of great importance in the culture of the Inuit.
In Inuit mythology, the goddess Sedna rules over the sea and marine animals.
She is depicted as a mermaid, occasionally with a seal's lower body.
In one legend, seals, whales and other marine mammals were formed from her severed fingers.
One of the earliest Ancient Greek coins depicts the head of a seal, and the animals were mentioned by Homer and Aristotle.
The Greeks associated them with both the sea and sun and were considered to be under the protection of the gods Poseidon and Apollo.
The Moche people of ancient Peru worshipped the sea and its animals, and often depicted sea lions in their art.
In modern culture, pinnipeds are thought of as cute, playful and comical figures.
Various human cultures have for millennia depicted pinnipeds. The anthropologist, A. Asbjørn Jøn, has analysed beliefs of the Celts of Orkney and Hebrides who believed in selkies—seals that could change into humans and walk on land. Seals are also of great importance in the culture of the Inuit. In Inuit mythology, the goddess Sedna rules over the sea and marine animals. She is depicted as a mermaid, occasionally with a seal's lower body. In one legend, seals, whales and other marine mammals were formed from her severed fingers. One of the earliest Ancient Greek coins depicts the head of a seal, and the animals were mentioned by Homer and Aristotle. The Greeks associated them with both the sea and sun and were considered to be under the protection of the gods Poseidon and Apollo. The Moche people of ancient Peru worshipped the sea and its animals, and often depicted sea lions in their art. In modern culture, pinnipeds are thought of as cute, playful and comical figures.
Pinniped