Title: Oarfish: The Enigmatic Harbingers of Earthquakes and Mysterious Beings of the Sea
Subtitle: Unraveling the Secrets of the Giant Oarfish and Its Unpredictable Nature
By Helen Sullivan, Guardian Journalist
Date: [Current Date]
A magnificent creature from the depths of the ocean, the giant oarfish, also known as the “king of herrings,” continues to captivate researchers with its enigmatic nature and legendary reputation. With its eight-meter-long silver body, tapered tail, and a permanently stunned expression, this elusive giant dwells in the mysterious realm of the sea.
Over the years, the oarfish has been associated with inexplicable occurrences, particularly in Japan. According to local beliefs, spotting an oarfish is a premonition of an impending earthquake. Prior to the devastating 2011 earthquake in Japan, an unprecedented 20 oarfish were discovered on the country’s beaches. These slimy messengers are referred to as “shrine princesses” or “messengers from the sea god’s palace,” adding to the mystical lore surrounding this species.
The sea god’s palace, known as Ryūgū-jō, is said to have four sides, each corresponding to a season. The oarfish’s peculiar appearance, with one wide eye on each side of its face, seems to lend credence to this narrative. It is believed that one eye sees the past while the other gazes into the future. Disturbingly, the oarfish’s visions reveal plum and cherry blossoms in the east and a maple tree ablaze with fiery branches in the west.
The oarfish’s striking silver body, devoid of scales, acts as a natural mirror, allowing it to blend seamlessly with the vast expanse of the sea. This unique adaptation allows the oarfish to vanish into the grayness, akin to a polished knife dropped on the floor. Although their movements seem cumbersome as they swim vertically and awkwardly, almost like a cursor, these elusive creatures rarely find themselves caught in fishing nets. The oarfish’s scarcity often leads people to question their existence, even though witness accounts, such as those of 16 US Navy sailors gripping a single fish together, confirm their tangible presence.
Despite their ethereal qualities, these creatures are undoubtedly real, as proven by an unlikely fellow inhabitant of the deep seas: the cookie cutter shark. Recently, divers recorded an oarfish bearing multiple small scoops taken out of its body, evidence of a cookie cutter shark’s bite. This small, peculiar-looking shark possesses a mouth resembling a miniature bear trap and unsightly lips that resemble the effects of saltwater exposure. Perhaps in a desperate attempt to taste its own reflection, the cookie cutter shark had bitten into the shiny surface of the oarfish, leaving its mark.
In a French documentary, a diver named Roberto, adorned in a silver wetsuit, tries to collect samples from an inquisitive oarfish investigating a buoy. As Roberto gently touches the fish’s skin with a broom-like contraption, the subtitles reveal that the diver relies on the “curiosity of fish for man and for the buoy.” In a twist of fate, the oarfish mistakenly confuses homophones, staring at the buoy while pondering its transformation from boy to man. This confusion undoubtedly leaves the creature eternally stunned and yearning for answers about its own existence.
The giant oarfish remains an intriguing enigma of the deep seas, with its significance reaching far beyond its sheer size. Prophesizing earthquakes and serving as an ambassador to a hidden world, this majestic creature continues to ignite the imagination and awaken our curiosity about the mysteries of the ocean.
Helen Sullivan, a Guardian journalist, is currently working on her memoir, Freak of Nature, set to be published in 2024. For any suggestions or recommendations concerning animals, insects, or other subjects worthy of appearing in this column, please reach out to [email protected].
Sources: New York Times, Toyama Prefecture Aquarium, AFP/Getty Images