YeinJee's Asian Journal

The Loch Ness Monster… one of the most famous mysteries in the world. Nicknamed Nessie, it’s a creature that’s said to be inhabiting in Loch Ness, a large and deep freshwater lake in Scottish Highland.

The first recorded sighting of Nessie could date back to 565AD… but the whole monster-fever probably started in 1934 when the infamous Surgeon’s Photo (right) was published and shocked the world.

(The photo was however discovered to be a hoax in 1993, more details at the end of this article)

Since then, numerous sightings have been reported; some with pictures or videos but none of the images captured could clearly prove the existence of the Loch Ness Monster.

Some of the ‘evidences’ are proven hoax; while some others are genuine but inconclusive. Critics believe that lots of those genuine images were actually objects like flock of water-birds, wood logs, boats and natural phenomena etc.

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Hippocamp, or Hippocampus, is a mythological creature shared by Phoenician and Greek mythology which supposedly looks like a seahorse.

Hippocamp mosaic at the Roman
Baths (Image by Andrew)

In Greek mythology, Hippocamps were the mounts for Poseidon (the god of horses and sea); whereas for the Romans… Neptune (Roman version of Poseidon) was often described to be riding on a sea-chariot pulled by hippocamps.

Hippocamps were often used in the artworks and sculptures in Roman’s fountains and public baths; some of these ancient arts can still be seen in famous tourist sites like the Roman Baths in Bath, UK and the Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy.

The mythological creature still has its influence in modern days; hippocamps are featured quite often in fantasy story books, including Harry Potter; and also in various fantasy games like Dungeons & Dragons etc.

[more about Hippocamps on Wiki and Theoi]