From myth to simbol: Sharks

The etymological roots of the word "shark" in fact indicate certain characteristics of the animal itself. The Anglo- Saxon root scheron means to cut or tear (compare the French arracher). "Schurke" is the German word for villain. Sin -ce Elizabethan times, popular speech has used the word to indicate "sharks" in various contexts: loan shark, pool shark, card shark etc. The sound itself is sharp, and emphasises the impression of urgency, of terror, of surprise and of assertiveness

In Japan, one of the mythological gods is the storm god, known as the 'shark-man". In fact, the shark is so terrifying in Japanese legends that when the Chinese thought about a talisman to paint on their aircraft to fight the Japanese, they chose the demon head of the Tiger Shark. The American pilots who did the same were known throughout the world as the 'Flying Tigers", when in fact they should have been called the 'flying sharks".

Sharks have a bad rap. Thanks to sensationalized stories and stereotyping, sharks have become feared rather than revered. They are important in the ocean. They are the top predators.