'Jasconius' is an enormous
fish in the story of Saint
Brendan. Because of its size Brendan and his fellow voyagers mistake it for an island and land to make camp. They celebrate
Easter on the sleeping giant's back, but awaken it when they light their fire. They race to their ship, and Brendan explains that the moving island is really Jasconius, who labors unsuccessfully to put his tail in its mouth.
A sea monster mistaken for an island also appears in the story of
Sinbad the Sailor. Accounts of seafarers' encounters with gigantic fish appear in various other works, including the
Book of Jonah and the 19th century books ''
Pinocchio'' and ''
The Adventures of Baron Munchhausen''. The name Jasconius is used for the whale in the children's book ''The Adventures of Louey and Frank'' by Carolyn White. She attributes the name to having grown up with the legend of Brendan.
[1]
References
1. Interview with Carolyn White. harperchildrens.com. Retrieved March 14, 2007.