'Since the 19th century, the motif of an octopus on propaganda maps has represented the inhuman spread of evil, its tentacles grasping for land and power.'

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'prevalence of the octopus motif in later maps suggests that the octopus also spoke to humanity’s primeval fears, evoking a terrifying and mysterious creature from the depths.'

Unknown German creator, “Freiheit der Meere [Freedom of the Seas]” (1918), depicting Great Britain as an octopus threatening the “freedom of the seas” with its tentacles reaching to nearly 30 places allegedly colonized or attacked by the British Empire

W. B. Northrop, “Landlordism Causes Unemployment” (1909), showing the octopus of “Landlordism” strangling London, although the map leaves the royal family’s estates out of its lands owned by the wealthy

Patrick Cokayne Keely, “Indie Moet Vrij! Werkt en Vecht Ervoor! [The Indies Must Be Free! Work and Fight For It!]” (1944), showing Japan as an octopus with tentacles controlling the Dutch East Indies

'a perfect emblem of evil spreading across a map: its ugly head is the centre of a malevolent intelligence, which is manipulating its obscene appendages to bring death and destruction to its surroundings.'

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'The octopus actually appeared on maps long before the 19th century, but as the ominous kraken, a sea monster signaling the dangers of the uncharted oceans. Emerged from the waters and dragging its many-armed body over the land, it retains that sense of unease and foreboding.'

heinous tentacles

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'Since the 19th century, the motif of an octopus on propaganda maps has represented the inhuman spread of evil, its tentacles grasping for land and power.'

'prevalence of the octopus motif in later maps suggests that the octopus also spoke to humanity’s primeval fears, evoking a terrifying and mysterious creature from the depths.'

'a perfect emblem of evil spreading across a map: its ugly head is the centre of a malevolent intelligence, which is manipulating its obscene appendages to bring death and destruction to its surroundings.'

'The octopus actually appeared on maps long before the 19th century, but as the ominous kraken, a sea monster signaling the dangers of the uncharted oceans. Emerged from the waters and dragging its many-armed body over the land, it retains that sense of unease and foreboding.'

heinous tentacles