Whale Island

This page from a medieval bestiary shows, in a dynamic rendering, a boat struggling with a large marine animal resembling a whale and described as aspidochelone. The text tells us that the monster remains so still on the surface of the water that the sailors believe they see an island and even disembark onto it, disappearing into the sea when the beast, disturbed, returns to the depths. Such a marine legend is extremely widespread, appearing in the imaginary Irish Voyage of St. Brendan, as well as in the oriental tale of Sinbad the Sailor. The famous kraken, a giant octopus, can also play the same role.