The sea has long been a part of myth and symbol worldwide. From creation myths to the underworld of the deep, humankind has both revered and feared the sea. Myths tell of the primordial waters of the sea as the source of the generation of all life and call the ocean, the Great Mother. Although the sea is often referred to as feminine, there are many male deities.
Symbolically, the sea can represent abundance, fertility, dynamic forces, and unfathomable truth and wisdom. It can also stand for destruction, wildness, and is the home and begettor of monsters. Sea deities have played a large part in myth, sometimes as the very essence of the seas or as figures who control the waters. To be sea born is a common motif in mythology, with humankind rising from the sea or being born of its foam.
Neptune: Roman god of water; he rode a chariot and held a trident to control the waters
Njord: Northern European god of the sea; brought light and power into the world; protector of sailors and fisherman; controller of wind and storms; married to Skadi, goddess of the far north
Pontus: Greek deity of salt water; personification or spirit of the sea; son of Gaea; father of Nereus
Poseidon: Greek god of the sea; brother of Zeus and Hades; his chariot was pulled by seahorses; married to Amphitrite, his son was Triton
Shui-Kuan: Chinese ruler of waters; averter of misfortune; he rides a horse over the water and is followed by a fish
Sila: Inuit ruler of the world; controller of the seas and the elements; must be appeased with amulets and incantations
Susanowo: Japanese creator of the world and it's rulers; god of storms and responsible for the sea; brother of Amaterasu, goddess of the sun and Tsuki-yomi, god of the moon
View sea themed miniatures for sale at my Etsy shop. link is in upper right hand corner of my blog, above the dragonfly photo or use this link: http://mythsymbolsandplay.type