To see this beautiful Cassiopea, you don’t need to wait for the sun to set or study the constellations, but simply take a dip in the sea: we are, in fact, talking about the upside-down jellyfish that swims just below the surface of our waters. These creatures are characterized by an umbrella-like disk that can reach up to 30 cm in diameter and can be found in a variety of colors – here usually yellow and green with purple tentacles.
Despite its large size, the Cassiopea Jellyfish doesn’t sting; on the contrary, it is often accompanied by small minnows that find refuge and food among its tentacles.
So don’t be afraid – myths are often wrong! Even the Moray Eel has a bad reputation, but it’s not her fault.
A bit of history
According to Greek mythology, Cassiopeia was the queen of Ethiopia, wife of King Cepheus, and she was really very vain (for this she can be seen depicted in the stars while she is mirroring and combing her hair). One day, the woman dared to declare herself to be more beautiful than the Nereids, the nymphs of the sea, who were the lovely daughters of the god Poseidon. These nymphs, feeling terribly affronted by Cassiopeia, became very angry and asked their father to help them take revenge.
Poseidon, tired of hearing their constant complaints, decided to send a sea monster called “Ceto” (a gigantic whale), to the shores of Ethiopia to create a giant wave that would have drowned Cassiopeia. After her death, she was sent to the skies as a constellation and warning to other.
Could it be for its elegance and beauty that this jellyfish was given this name of this vain but beautiful woman!?
