Kraken vs. Octopus — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 19, 2023
Kraken is a mythical sea monster often depicted as a giant octopus, while an octopus is a real cephalopod with eight arms.
Difference Between Kraken and Octopus
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The Kraken is a legend, a creature from maritime folklore that sailors once feared. This mythical sea monster is often depicted as a gigantic creature with characteristics similar to an octopus. On the other hand, the octopus is a real, tangible animal that belongs to the mollusk class Cephalopoda. Unlike the Kraken, which is shrouded in tales of terror and mystery, the octopus is studied extensively by marine biologists and is known for its intelligence and unique abilities.
The Kraken's tales often have it terrorizing sailors, engulfing entire ships with its massive tentacles and dragging them to the ocean's depths. The octopus, however, typically does not exhibit such aggressive behavior towards humans. While both have tentacles, the Kraken's are imagined to be of immense proportions, capable of immense destruction. In contrast, the octopus uses its tentacles for locomotion, hunting, and manipulation of objects.
While the Kraken is generally perceived as a malevolent entity, the octopus has a much more neutral or even positive image in popular culture. In literature and film, the Kraken often emerges as a formidable antagonist, symbolizing the unknown terrors of the deep sea. The octopus, conversely, can be portrayed in a variety of ways – from a curious and smart creature to a symbol of adaptability and change.
It's essential to recognize the vast difference in the realms of existence between the Kraken and the octopus. The Kraken is a creature of myth, a product of human imagination and storytelling. The octopus, however, has a real biological presence, living in various marine habitats and playing a specific role in the marine ecosystem.
In conclusion, while the Kraken and octopus share some superficial similarities, their positions in culture, biology, and lore are vastly different. The Kraken stands as a symbol of the ocean's mystery and terror, whereas the octopus is a marvel of marine life, renowned for its intelligence and adaptability.
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Comparison Chart
Origin
Mythical and Folklore
Real Animal
Size
Often depicted as gigantic
Varies, typically much smaller
Portrayal in Culture
Feared sea monster
Intelligent marine creature
Behavior
Aggressive and destructive
Generally non-aggressive
Role
Terror of the seas in tales
A part of marine ecosystems
Compare with Definitions
Kraken
A mythical sea creature of enormous size.
Sailors shared tales of encountering the Kraken during their voyages.
Octopus
Possesses the ability to change color and texture.
The octopus camouflaged itself, blending seamlessly with the rocks.
Kraken
A legend from Norse mythology.
The Kraken is often discussed in ancient Norse tales and sagas.
Octopus
A marine animal with eight flexible arms.
The octopus used its arms to explore the crevices in the coral.
Kraken
A symbol of the unknown terrors of the ocean.
Just as space has its black holes, the sea has its Kraken.
Octopus
Known for its intelligence and problem-solving abilities.
Researchers were amazed at how quickly the octopus solved the puzzle.
Kraken
An entity often depicted with massive tentacles.
The Kraken wrapped its tentacles around the ship, pulling it underwater.
Octopus
Octopus (pl. octopuses, see below for variants) are soft-bodied, eight-limbed molluscs of the order Octopoda (, ok-TOP-ə-də).
Kraken
An embodiment of the dangers of the sea.
Mariners would pray to be kept safe from the Kraken's grasp.
Octopus
Any of various carnivorous marine cephalopod mollusks chiefly of the family Octopodidae, having a soft body, eight arms with suckers, a large distinct head, and a mouth with a strong beak.
Kraken
The kraken () is a legendary sea monster of gigantic size and cephalopod-like appearance in Scandinavian folklore. According to the Norse sagas, the kraken dwells off the coasts of Norway and Greenland and terrorizes nearby sailors.
Octopus
Something, such as a multinational corporation, that has many powerful, centrally controlled branches.
Kraken
An enormous mythical sea monster said to appear off the coast of Norway.
Octopus
Any of several marine molluscs of the family Octopodidae, having no internal or external protective shell or bone (unlike the nautilus, squid and cuttlefish) and eight arms each covered with suckers.
Kraken
A huge sea monster in Norwegian legend.
Octopus
(uncountable) The flesh of these marine molluscs eaten as food.
Kraken
A fabulous Scandinavian sea monster, often represented as resembling an island, but sometimes as resembling an immense octopus.
To believe all that has been said of the sea serpent or kraken, would be credulity; to reject the possibility of their existence, would be presumption.
Like a kraken huge and black.
Octopus
An organization that has many powerful branches controlled from the centre.
Octopus
To put (or attempt to put) one's fingers, hands or arms in many things or places at roughly the same time.
Octopus
To spread out in long arms or legs in many directions.
Octopus
To plug a large number of devices into a single electric outlet.
Octopus
(by extension) To grow in use vastly beyond what was originally intended.
Octopus
To hunt and catch octopuses.
Octopus
To behave like an octopus.
Octopus
A genus of eight-armed cephalopods, including numerous species, some of them of large size. See Devilfish.
Octopus
Any member of the genus Octopus.
Octopus
Something resembling an octopus in having numerous controlling arms or branches that reach widely and influence many activities; - used mostly of organizations, such as diversified corporations.
Octopus
Tentacles of octopus prepared as food
Octopus
Bottom-living cephalopod having a soft oval body with eight long tentacles
Octopus
A member of the cephalopod class.
Like squids and cuttlefish, the octopus belongs to the cephalopods.
Octopus
Has a soft, flexible body with a bulbous head.
The octopus squeezed through a small hole to escape predators.
Common Curiosities
Is an octopus considered dangerous to humans?
Generally, octopuses are not dangerous to humans unless provoked.
Is the Kraken real or mythical?
The Kraken is a mythical sea creature.
How does an octopus defend itself?
Octopuses can change color for camouflage, eject ink, or use their arms to deter predators.
Do the Kraken and octopus look similar?
While the Kraken is often depicted as resembling a giant octopus, they differ in size and origin.
How big is a typical octopus?
Octopus sizes vary, but most are much smaller than the mythical Kraken's depiction.
What do octopuses eat?
Octopuses are carnivorous and eat a variety of marine animals like crabs, fish, and small mollusks.
Where did stories of the Kraken originate?
Stories of the Kraken originated from Norse mythology and maritime folklore.
Are there any real-life animals that resemble the Kraken?
While no real-life animal matches the Kraken's immense size, giant squids and large octopuses might have inspired some tales.
What are some unique features of an octopus?
Octopuses have intelligence, can change color, and possess eight arms used for various purposes.
How is the Kraken typically portrayed in literature and film?
The Kraken is often portrayed as a formidable antagonist, symbolizing the terrors of the deep sea.
Was the Kraken always perceived as evil?
While not always "evil," the Kraken was usually seen as a dangerous and destructive force in the sea.
How do octopuses reproduce?
Octopuses lay eggs, and in many species, the female guards them until they hatch.
Is the Kraken always depicted with eight tentacles?
Not always; while often resembling an octopus, the Kraken's depictions can vary, sometimes having more than eight appendages.
Can the Kraken be found in cultures outside Norse mythology?
While the name "Kraken" is Norse, many cultures have their own versions of sea monsters resembling the Kraken.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
