Classical mythology claims Triton is the son of sea God Poseidon and sea Goddess Amphitrite; though scholars suggest the honouring of Triton may have originated in the Minoan or Anatolian cultures; moreover he may have been worshipped in Libya at Lake Tritonis.

Triton is often depicted as 'human-like' from the waist up and fish-like from the waist down. He features in some legends, such as when the Argonauts were driven by a tempest onto the shores of Libya and Triton helped them with advice and bestowed a clod of earth which in time formed into the island of Thera. Another legend tells of how Misenos challenged Triton to a trumpet-blowing contest. The result - Misenos was drowned.
    Indeed, Triton is fierce. He is popularly represented in art with a conch shell, for when he blows it is said the ocean roars to his call, and when you meet Triton, such massive power seems more than likely. 

Triton's presence is felt strongly in the Atlantic ocean. On first encounter this mighty one carried a team member to the Sargasso Sea. She barely made it back. Triton's tests are intense. Although he chooses to appear as an elderly male, he has long wavy whiteish hair and beard and shaggy grey-white eyebrows, Triton is a huge and frightening God. His eyes are blue and very piercing, his voice is deep and gruff: 

"The homage you pay to me is appreciated. Too few people remembered me in the past. I Triton am one of the cruellest Gods of the seas. Those mortals who fish, who pollute and use the sea for sport are all punished one way or another in due course. There are sea creatures who briefly put their heads above water, just as there are many mortals who will stay under water for some time with their breathing apparatus. To explore the ocean bed is one thing, but to do damage is different. 
    Today, however, I feel in a more gentle and loving mood. 
    You do not lay at my feet as many mortals would, you look me straight in the eyes. This is a new experience for me and I like it. Be proud of yourself and look all Gods and Goddesses in the eyes.

In many temples I have in different parts of the world I have spoken and been heard by mortals, many seafaring men. A captain of a merchant vessel from a country across the Atlantic heard me and listened. 
    His ship sailed yesterday. He assembled his crew and gave them a lecture on how to respect the oceans. There now are mortals who know there are Gods of the sea, yet few realise how many Gods and Goddesses there are to do with the oceans. Some pray to us, either saying 'God of the Sea' or 'Gods of the Sea'. We understand and our names will come upon their lips before too long. We appreciate being honoured as individuals.

Although the creatures of the seas are affected and killed by oil we are able to save many. It is one of us sea Gods or Goddesses that draws them away from danger. It is unfortunate that sometimes they are caught up in it. But there still are many countries that cause us grief. I have stopped a whaling ship setting out. The engines will not work and they never will. There is no mercy for those who take sea life. 
    Mortals now lay at the bottom of the ocean, they will catch no more fish, they belong to them now." 

'...Triton just grabbed me and hauled me off. I stood on a rocky peninsular where there was a fisherman with rod and line. The fisherman wore ragged khaki shorts, was bare-chested, bare foot and I saw some dirty canvas shoes nearby. He was suntanned, in fact it felt very hot there, and he had dark hair but he was not African or Asian. He was bringing up fish after fish, but he seemed to be behaving like a mad man, he brought up the fish, unhooked them then bashed the fish with a piece of wood and then threw them back in the water. He did this time and time again, catching fish - some quite big ones, bashing them with wood and then throwing them back. I heard Triton speak:
    "This mortal does this for sport, not for food. He delights in cruelty, watch."
    

It was a calm sea, but suddenly a huge wave swept against the rocks and knocked the fisherman into the water. He was carried out by the current, thrashing against the water. Then I saw two sharks' fins circling nearby. Each took one of the fisherman's arms. There was lots of blood and I could hear a gurgled scream as other sharks appeared. The fisherman was torn to pieces.
    "This happened, in reality, a few days ago."

The next thing Triton showed me was most unusual for an encounter with a sea God, but then perhaps not. I was in an expensive-looking restaurant in a city, beautifully carpeted, widely-spaced tables, with clean linen, shining cutlery, gleaming glasses and little vases of flowers. It seemed quite busy, there were quite a few people dining. Not every table filled, but quite a few and along one wall I saw some glass tanks, four tanks I counted, filled with fish. 
    I recognised turbot-like fish and plaice too. A chef stood nearby dressed in immaculate white overall and cap. A man stood from one of the tables, went to the fish tank and pointed to a fish. The man in overalls had a net and netted the fish, brought it out of the tank and handed it to another man who took it to a wooden slab table behind the tank. The fish was wriggling, but the man had a knife or cleaver and chopped off its head, then very deftly skinned the fish, boned it, dipped it into batter and fried it. All this was done in view of the customer. Then I saw the waiter take the cooked fish to the customer's table, and I heard Triton's voice, it was menacing, a growl of fury:

"This is going on in different parts of the world. I would have the owners of these establishments kept in a small tank for a week and then have their heads chopped off; but one day they WILL face me."

Festival of Triton - 31st October