Sea monk

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The sea monk was a sea monster found off the coast of Denmark almost certainly in 1546 (Paxton & Holland 2005). It was said to be a marine animal that looked superficially like a monk. It was described and pictured in the fourth volume of Conrad Gesner's famous Historia Animalium. Some authors (e.g. Japetus Steenstrup, 1855, Ellis 1998) believe it was based on the discovery of a giant squid whereas others believe it was based on the discovery of an errant walrus (Heuvelmans 1974). Paxton & Holland (2005) suggested it was an angelshark Squatina squatina of which, one common name in English is, in fact, "monkfish".

The "sea-monk" is well documented to a particular date and time so it would be inaccurate to refer to it as "mythic" or "legendary" even if ultimately "fantastic".

Curiously a similar creature is known from the Far East, the 'Umi bozu'. Sailors believe that it could cause storms and on occasion would overturn their junks. As a precaution against these creatures, there was at least one deckhand on every junk who was specially trained to ward off the creature by waving a stick covered with red streamers and leading the crew in a ritual dance.

A monster called a "sea monk" also appears in some fantasy-based computer and card games.

References

Ellis, R. (1998) The Search for the Giant Squid. Lyons Press. London.
Heuvelmans, B. (1974) Dans le Sillage des Monstres Marins. Famot. Geneva.
Paxton, C.G.M. & Holland R. (2005) Was Steenstrup Right? A new interpretation of the 16th century sea monk of the Øresund. Steenstrupia 29, 39-47.
Steenstrup J.J.S. (1855) Om den i Kong Christian IIIs tid i Øresundet fanget Havmund (Sømunken kaldet) Dansk Maanedsskrift 1, 63-96.