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Ancient Myths of Dolphins

 

Dolphins appear in Greek mythology. They were respected and loved, featured in many myths. Sun God Apollo's temple was built in Delphi, Athens. Delphi means the womb, and it was believed that this was the center of the world. It is believed that God's words and prophecies were received here.

 

There are music scores carved into stone here, and the ancient Greeks considered music to be a method to speak with their Gods. Dolphins are creatures of the sea with wombs, and was highly respected. It was believed through some religions, that through reincarnation, one's spirit would evolve, and before becoming a human, you were required to pass the "dolphin stage". With this belief, dolphins were aslo regarded as the womb to all spirits.

 

 

Imago- The Philosophy of Whales and Dolphins
To hunt dolphins is an unforgivable sin

One who kills dolphins no longer have the right to be with God

God is not pleased by offerings by them

The altar is corrupted by their touch

 

　　　　　Obvinous, 2 BC

 

The killing of dolphins were not only regarded as sins by religion, but as a bad omen, to see them being violated. Dolphins were regarded as God-like, and had deep ties with humans.

An excerpt from "Hymn of Homer; Apollo's Hymn"
As Apollo roamed this sacred land of Mother Earth, he was deciding on who to take with him as his servant, a Creterian trade ship was heading for the city of Puros, south west of the Peropones peninsula. Apollo transformed himself into a giant dolphin and danced out of the sea, laying himself on the deck. He kicked all who neared him, and rocked the boat violently. So violently did he shake the boat, that it's rudder became ineffective, and the ship passed Puros by, with the Peropones peninsula to the right, entering the bay of Klintos and finally coming to rest on the sandy shores of Klissa near the sacred land of Delphi.

 

"People of foreign land, you can no longer return to Crete. Live on this land, and work in the temple that our people worship. Haul your ship onto the land, and build an altar on the shores. Pass on the story of how I transformed into a dolphin to bring you here, and send prayers in the name of Apollon Dolphinius."

This legend ties the sacred land called Delphoi to the delphi (dolphin). The myth that explains how Apollo brought Cretes to this land by turning himself into a dolphin coincides with the fact that there is a temple that is dedicated to dolphins. With the Crete's oversea trades, this religion probably spread to mainland Greece. Apollo is regarded as a god who took land from ancient goddesses, and aside from his "main business" of prophecies and medicine, he assimilated this religion that deities' dolphins to expand his role as a guardian to seafarers and trade.

A true story that occured during the time of Alexandros the Great
A dolphin fell in love with a boy from Iasus. As the boy got out of the ocean after playing with the dolphins, one died trying to follow him on to the land. Alexandros acknowledged the dolphin's deep love as an omen, and sent the boy to serve in Poseidon's temple in Babylon.

 

Arion, the poet, musician and master lute player
Arion entered a music competition in west Italy, and was heading for home on a Korinthos ship with many awards. The crew however, tried to kill him and steal his earnings. He begged to be allowed to perform one last song, and after donning his stage attire, lute in hand, sang a hymn in a high key. Upon finishing his song, he threw himself into the sea. The ship headed on to Korinthos, while Arion was saved by dolphins. They took him to Tynalon Point (west of Peloponnesos peninsula). From here, Arion returned to Korinthos before the ship arrived, and spoke to Perriandros of his bizarre rescue. When the ship arrived to Korinthos, Perriandros nonchalantly asked the crew of Arion's whereabouts. The crew replied that he remained in West Italy, when Arion appeared before them. The crew was stunned, and admitted to their sins.

Arion sang playing the lute, and his song enchanted the dolphins. Dolphins have feelings, and with love, befriend humans, and at times became our saviors.

Dolphins have long been regarded as sacred, and is deeply rooted in ancient Greek mythology. They live on today, as creatures of passion even as the original stories and myths are forgotten.

Chimako Tada

Imago- The Philosophy of Whales and Dolphins;

Dolphins of the Sea in Mythology