Ancient peoples of the Mediterranean were aware of the octopus, as evidenced by certain artworks and designs of prehistory. For example, a stone carving found in the archaeological recovery from Bronze Age Minoan Crete at Knossos has a depiction of a fisherman carrying an octopus.Octopuses were often depicted in the art of the Moche people of ancient Peru, who worshipped the sea and its animals.The Hawaiian creation myth relates that the present cosmos is only the last of a series, having arisen in stages from the wreck of the previous universe. In this account, the octopus is the lone survivor of the previous, alien universe
In literature
The octopus has a significant role in Victor Hugo's book Travailleurs de la mer (Toilers of the Sea).[41]
As food
Humans eat octopus in many cultures. The arms and sometimes other body parts are prepared in various ways, often varying by species.
Octopus is a common ingredient in Japanese cuisine, including sushi, takoyaki, and Akashiyaki. Some small species are sometimes eaten alive as a novelty food. Similarly, a live octopus may be sliced up and the legs eaten while still squirming, which continues for some minutes.
Octopus is eaten regularly in Hawaii, since many popular dishes are Asian in origin. Locally known by their Hawaiian or Japanese names ("he'e" and "tako" respectively), octopus is also a popular fish bait.
Octopus is a common food in Mediterranean cuisine and Portuguese cuisine. In Galicia, polbo á feira (market fair style octopus) is a local delicacy. Restaurants which specialize or serve this dish are known as pulperías.
【材料】２人分・ゆでダコ ３００ｇ・きゅうり １／２本・玉ねぎ １／４個・オリーブの実 ５～６個・バジル（または青じそ）５～６枚 ＜マリネ液＞・オリーブオイル 大さじ４・レモン １／２個・にんにく １片・白ワイン 大さじ３・塩 小さじ１／２・こしょう 少々・ローリエ １枚 ・赤唐辛子 １本
【作り方】
１ ゆでダコはぶつ切り。きゅうり、オリーブの実は薄切り。タマネギはみじん切り。
２ ボールに（１）を入れ、オリーブ油と白ワインとレモンの絞り汁をかけ、にんにくをすりおろしたものと塩・コショウで味を整える。
３ バジルのみじん切り（なければ青じそと乾燥バジルでOK）、種をぬいた赤唐辛子、ローリエを入れて混ぜ、半日つけ込む。
