Cecaelia – Mythological and Fantastic Beings

cecaelia. Image by Mariia Loniuk

The cecaelia is a marine being whose upper part is similar to that of a human, generally a woman, and the lower part to that of an octopus.

They are also called «pulposirens» or «octosirens» referring to their resemblance to mermaids and mermen, with whom they share their habitat and some customs, although they are completely different species.

the sea witches

It is common to confuse the cecaelias with the sea witches since the latter also have the appearance of an octopus woman. However, there are numerous differences between the two, starting with the external appearance.

The upper part of the sea witches is precisely that of a witch with matted hair and a devilish face. They are cruel and capricious and do not hesitate to flaunt this character when they meet fishermen or other marine animals.

They live in any area with water: seas, rivers or even lakes, while the cecaelias prefer the salty waters of the seas.

Another point that differentiates them is the number of legs and the size of their body: cecaelias have 8 legs and their length is very similar to that of a tall human being, however, sea witches only have 6 legs and can reach be gigantic, so much so that they are often mistaken for a kraken from a distance. They use their huge tentacles to heel ships or set them adrift for fun.

sea ​​witch Image by Guillem H. Pongiluppi

These hideous witches control two elements: water and air, which is why they are capable of causing storms, generating gales and influencing the tides. Some sailors, aware of these skills, make pacts with the witches to ensure that their navigation is calm and not affected by the weather, in exchange, they manage to increase their wealth and treasures.

the cecaelia

Cecaelias often have the torso, arms, and face of a beautiful blond or silver-haired woman. Instead of legs they have 8 powerful tentacles whose color can vary from pink to purple. Thanks to them they achieve enormous strength and agility, especially when they dive and swim.

The tentacles of a cecaelia are themselves a sensory organ. If you extend them and place them in «listen» mode, you can detect vibrations and movements even at several hundred meters. In this way, you can have a mental map of everything that happens around you: animals near and far, their size and speed, and even where they are going.

A cecaelia is a kind and calm being that rarely enters into conflict of its own free will, however, if it is persecuted or threatened it can expel a cloud of black ink that facilitates its escape.

This cloud can reach up to 20 meters and last more than a minute. At that time the water becomes viscous and dense and there is no possibility of seeing anything, even if you have special vision for the dark. Cecaelias move so stealthily that it’s hard to see them coming, much less see them escape when they eject the jet of ink.

The cecaelias society

They are friendly but solitary beings, so they are not usually found in large groups. The usual thing is that they move alone or in pairs and, more rarely, in families of 3 or 4 members.

They live for about 60 years and prefer to do so in pleasant and delicate places, such as coral reefs and, if possible, in warm waters. For this they choose coastal areas where, in addition, they can socialize with humans.

It is common for cecaelias to enjoy a few seasons out of the sea, since they do not need to be constantly submerged to survive. When they want to go unnoticed among humans, they wear long dresses that completely cover their tentacles, although sometimes they can be seen as their movements on land become more clumsy and heavy.

cecaelia. Image by Schin Loong

A cecaelia will always try to exchange valuables with humans; they usually bring pearl and coral jewelry, while they receive shiny objects that are impossible to find in the sea, such as crystal and polished metals.

They are nomadic beings and rarely stay more than a year in the same place. To transport their possessions, they domesticate marine animals, especially rays, with which they often travel across the oceans.

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