Sea Serpent Quotes

“Only hinted at in some of these tales, and clearly stated in others, it is apparent that there was a long and continuing conflict between paganism and Christianity in the early centuries A.D. This may also be the explanation behind other well creation tales, such as the slaying by St Barry of a 'great serpent' in County Roscommon. The saint thrust his crozier at it before it disappeared into Lough Lagan, and where his knee touched the ground, a holy well, Tobar Barry, sprang up. Although the serpent may represent paganism, and the saint's victory is therefore the victory of Christianity over paganism, we cannot entirely ignore the possibility that some of the serpents in similar Irish tales may have been real water monsters, which are still seen from time to time in the lakes of Ireland and Scotland. These eerie, ugly monsters, with their aura of primeval mystery, appropriately symbolize the uncouth savagery which the Christians attributed to all non-Christian beliefs; but that is not to say that the monsters were totally symbolic and did not have a reality of their own.”
― Colin Bord, Sacred Waters

“The plate features seared sea serpent with poached meadow flower breams."
The acidic bath method had worked. The flesh of the sea serpent had transformed yet again and changed to a very iron-rich deep red. The taste was reminiscent of fatty tuna, with a stronger metallic edge. I'd set the filets in shallow clay bowls and bathed them in a marinade made of coriander, minced ginger, chilies, kalamansi, and my signature soy sauce.
I'd toasted black sesame seeds and combined them with crushed pink peppercorns as a rub--- the crust to create a contrast for the tender, almost jellied meat underneath. On the side, I added the poached filets of meadow flower breams in a rich golden sauce with singing carp caviar.”
― Roselle Lim, Celestial Banquet

“Such blue eyes, as deep a blue as the ocean when the moon shone on it.
She knew what he saw: a wooden boat with silver sails that he could crush if he could reach it, piloted by a fragile human with silvery skin that matched her sails and white-and-black-striped hair tied back with a silver ribbon. She must look to him like salvation. Or lunch.”
― Sarah Beth Durst, Sea of Charms

“Beside her, the sea serpent trumpeted back. He dove through the waves like a dolphin breaching, and his iridescent scales glistened in the sun. Back in the water, his wounds were washed clean, and she could see they hadn’t been deep— scrapes from his attempts to free himself from the rocks. Not much worse than her knee.
“You’re welcome,” she called, “and thank you!”
She had no idea how intelligent sea serpents were, but the ride out from between the cliffs had to have been intentional. She’d saved him, so he returned the favor. “We’re even now!” Marin waved to him.
He propelled himself out of the water and arched in the air like a rainbow, before diving back between the waves. It was such a magnificent sight that she forgot to breathe, only remembering when his tail disappeared beneath the surface of the sea.”
― Sarah Beth Durst, Sea of Charms

“Settling in, Marin sailed away from the painted cliffs and the twin islands of the lovers. The wind was strong and steady, and the sun was warm on her silvery arms and cheeks. It caressed her as if welcoming her back from the rainbow shadows of the Painted Pass.
In the distance, she spotted a herd of merhorses. She watched them crest with the waves, sea spray flying from their manes as their tails propelled them through the water. It wasn’t every day one got to see a sea serpent, much less rescue one. She’d treasure this memory.”
― Sarah Beth Durst, Sea of Charms

“When he was still with her two days later, she gave him a name: Perri.
And when the people on the docks she visited asked how she’d befriended a sea serpent, she told them the truth: “I didn’t. He befriended me.” All she’d done was save his life, which didn’t seem nearly as impressive a feat as becoming her friend.”
― Sarah Beth Durst, Sea of Charms