History of Kraken in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 10, 2026

The Kraken is a legendary sea monster, possibly originating from sightings of giant squid in the Norwegian Sea. Described as a massive cephalopod-like creature, it features prominently in Scandinavian folklore and maritime lore. While its existence remains unproven, the Kraken has become a popular figure in literature, film, and other forms of media, often symbolizing the terrors of the deep sea.

1917: English translator of King's Mirror translates hafgufa as kraken

In 1917, An English translator of the King's Mirror translated hafgufa as kraken.

1920: Finnur Jónsson explains 'horven' as alternative name

In 1920, Finnur Jónsson explained the monster's alternative name 'horven' as a form of 'harv' (harrow), suggesting its origin from the inkfish's action of seeming to plough the sea.

1920: Finnur Jónsson skeptical of kraken originating from hafgufa

In 1920, Finnur Jónsson expressed skepticism towards the notion that the kraken originated from the hafgufa, suggesting that it more likely represented an inkfish.

1920: Finnur Jónsson favors identifying the kraken as an inkfish

In 1920, Finnur Jónsson favored identifying the kraken as an inkfish (squid/octopus) on etymological grounds, relating it to Denys-Montfort's earlier works and Pliny's tales of sea monsters.

1920: Finnur Jónsson remarks on Kraken etymology

In 1920, Icelandic philologist Finnur Jónsson remarked that the name 'Kraken' likely derives from the figurative meaning 'crooked tree' or 'drag', relating it to cephalopods due to the imagery of crooked branches and drags.