Maria Ochoa

Grandmother Whale Shark

Added 2025-01-07 21:26:13 +0000 UTC

This character was inspired by werewolfsister who shared their experience of swimming with whale sharks! I started looking into information about them, and learned how people can take photos and upload them to a website to help identify them! I also found out their significance in various cultures. In Indonesia there are several stories about them and how they're seen.

A snippet from this page

For the people of Balikukup, whale sharks are known as Hiu Mbok or Hiu Nenek, meaning grandma’s shark. The name comes from the local belief that a whale shark embodies a kind-hearted grandmother spirit. If local fishers encounter a whale shark on one of their trips, they see it as a sign of good fortune and prosperity.

The image of a grandmother shark wouldn't leave my head so these sketches came out. She doesn't have a name or story yet. The basic idea so far is she travels the vast oceans, being followed by all sorts of ocean life, sea birds, zora and perhaps rito! Whale sharks are the largest fish in the world so I wanted her to be MASSIVE! The largest whale shark on record was 61 feet!

I am excited to flesh her out so hopefully you'll see her again on here!