An Ancient Legend and Cultural Symbol
In Japan the horseshoe crab represents an ancient legend. The legend goes that courageous warriors who sacrificed their lives in battle were reborn as fully armored horseshoe crabs and given the honor of traversing and protecting the waters that surrounded the homeland. The above image is a brush-painted rice paper screen paying homage to this legend. The Japanese culture continues to honor the horseshoe crab and respects its cultural importance.
Some Native American tribes used the horseshoe crabs to fertilize crops. They taught this practice to early settlers and horseshoe crab fertilizer was used in the United States through the 1960s. In addition, some Native Americans ate horseshoe crab meat, used the shell to bail water, and used the telson as a spear tip.
Some Native American tribes used the horseshoe crabs to fertilize crops. They taught this practice to early settlers and horseshoe crab fertilizer was used in the United States through the 1960s. In addition, some Native Americans ate horseshoe crab meat, used the shell to bail water, and used the telson as a spear tip.
References:
Ecological Research & Development Group (ERDG): The Horseshoe Crab. c2002-2009. Dover, DE. http://horseshoecrab.org/
National Park Service (NPS): Fire Island National Seashore Horseshoe Crab. c2013. http://www.nps.gov/fiis/naturescience/horseshoe-crabs.htm
National Park Service (NPS): Fire Island National Seashore Horseshoe Crab. c2013. http://www.nps.gov/fiis/naturescience/horseshoe-crabs.htm