Original sketch done by author and creator, H.P. Lovecraft of Cthulhu

In honor of the birthday of HP Lovecraft, we look back at one of his most enduring stories.

ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE OCEAN? The dark depths that have yet to be discovered by man? The many creatures that lurk in the ocean that are venomous to us humans?

There is an ancient God that lives in the sunken city named R’lyeh. Imagine a grand sea monster that makes the Kraken and giant squid look like babies. Beware of the Cthulhu…he will permeate your mind and give you horrifying delusions beyond imagination. He waits to be awakened, ensuring the destruction of mankind.

“It seemed to be a sort of a monster, or symbol representing a monster of a form which only a diseased fancy could conceive. If I say that my somewhat extravagant imagination yielded simultaneous pictures of an octopus, a dragon, and a human caricature, I shall not be unfaithful to the spirit of the thing. A pulpy tentacled head surmounted a grotesque and scaly body with rudimentary wings…”

Let the infamous writer of horror, H.P. Lovecraft, guide you through a story of a terror from the deep. Above all things, Lovecraft believed in the horror of the unknown…because what you don’t know can kill you.

A more menacing version of the aquatic god SOLD HERE.

In order to keep the name Cthulhu alive, he has a cult of followers who remind the world of his existence through horrific worship. The cult is based in New Orleans, and practices voodoo, a perfect form of worship for a terrifying creature. They craft idols of Cthulhu and perform rituals in the dead of night that turn into orgies and  massacres. In the swamps, they chant, “Ph’nglui mglw’nafh Cthulhu R’lyeh wgah’nagl fhtagn.” Which translates to, “In his house at R’lyeh, dead Cthulhu waits dreaming.”

In the story, many professors investigate the strange phenomenon of the fascination of Cthulhu. Through science and logic, they come up with so much research but they never live to tell the tale. They go insane as the “spirit” of the Cthulhu drives them mad. The character we follow through the story The Call of the Cthulhu is looking into the findings of the the dead professors and eventually goes insane himself.

South Park’s rendition of Cthulu.

But he does learn that whoever becomes involved with the Cthulhu, from the “worshippers” to scientists or men at sea, there is NO surviving the sheer power of the Elder God. Even though the Great Old Ones, of which Cthulhu is among their number, are believed to be dead, with the aeons that have passed… they don’t know that his power lives on. He learns from the Necronomicon (The Book of the Dead), “That is not dead which can eternally lie, And with strange aeons even death may die.”

This story is a classic that will never die. Maybe it is the power of the all mighty Cthulhu keeping it alive, and attracting those who love terror. We do not truly encounter Cthulhu in the story until almost the end. The person we follow through the story is slowly discovering what and who the Cthulhu is. The mystery of the great sea god drives him further into research. There are thousands of people who love the macabre who are fascinated with this great creation of H.P. Lovecraft. Through the story we want to learn more about the creature that is driving people mad.

He permeates our pop culture and fascination. Truly Cthulhu has lived on for generations… lurking in the abyss. As a creature he is grand. To illuminate your imagination…have you seen the horror movie Cabin In The Woods? Remember the “old god” in the end, emerging from the earth when he didn’t get his sacrifice? How he is bigger than life destroying everything in his path? That is what the Cthulhu is, except from the sea. A clip of that part down below…

So, why is he so beloved if he wishes for the destruction of mankind? He has won the hearts of  hundreds of thousands of horror fans. Those who have read the original story, and those who have just seen his visage around the horror community, love this creature of the sea. Sure, he looks amazing and is “all powerful”… but some people make him look “cute” and adorable. He comes from the dark mind of one of the greatest horror authors. Having met so many fans of Cthulhu at conventions and gatherings there seems to be a consensus.

There is so much of the ocean that has yet to be discovered, especially the darkest depths… the abyss. Who knows if Cthulhu IS real. We wonder if a great monster of “old mythology” can exist in our world; this great creature who looks like a hybrid monster of a octopus and a god.

He is an EPIC creature whose image permeates the minds of all those who observe the art of his visage. Once you learn about him, the more you fall in love with this creature of the deep. I guess that’s how we fall in love with all monsters of the horror genre. First there is a fear of the “monster” or creature … then the wonder of what IT is… then the fascination from discovering how AMAZING the creature really is.

If you are afraid of what lies beneath the waves of the ocean, into depths that we cannot see, then this story may be a bit too high on the scary meter. But if you are curious of the great Cthulhu and brave enough to read this tale of terror… then I highly recommend it. Overall I love this story and Cthulhu reigns as one of my favorite monsters of literature. Thank you for joining me on this trip to R’lyeh and see you soon In the Dark.