Make a Wish Upon a Starfish
The starfish is an echinoderm that thrives from the poles to the tropics, and anywhere in between. Most starfish can live up to 35 years when they are kept in the wild, whereas, some studies show they only live 5 to 10 years once captured. Scientists have recently adapted to referring to them as sea stars, because the starfish is clearly not a fish. There are roughly 2,000 species that live in our oceans that range from a multitude of shapes and sizes. Most consume mussels, oysters, dead fish, and even sea cucumbers. Sea stars survive by hunting down their own food, which makes them excellent predators. They either catch their meals as they drift by, or in some cases, have been witnessed chasing their food down. Sea stars are sensory organisms, which is what makes them so unique. They also lack blood and brains, so they are forced to use salt water, rather than blood, to push vitamins and minerals through their bodies. One of their most interesting features is their ability to regenerate their limbs. Their nerves start at the center of their bodies and move all the way to the very tips of their rays, enabling them to create new body parts.
In a more literary vision, the sea star symbolizes much more than a sea creature. Many believe it represents strength, magic, patience, mystery, and even renewing. When I think of stars living in the sea, philosopher Hermes Trismegistus reminds me of an infamous quote that states, “As above, so below.” He is basically stating that what occurs on a vibrant, cosmic degree is also imitated on a repetitive, earthy degree. Much like the stars in the sky, the sea stars mirror the night’s shining stars. For years, sea stars have mesmerized people from all over the world. As long as they have embellished the oceans, they have captivated the attention of anyone from an educated marine biologist, to an innocent child that is in awe of such a unique creature. From an ancient Christian perspective, it symbolically represents the Virgin Mary, or Stella Maris, which stands for “Star of the Sea.” She works to create safe travels over hazardous waters and can be seen as a saving grace during tough times. Together, the star and the sea star are seen as symbols that represent an intimate, seraphic love.
Below is a poem that I have always treasured by Christopher Davis:
The Lonely Starfish
There was a lonely starfish
who sat upon the shore,
he spent all his days dreaming
of life on the ocean floor.
So as the day grew longer
and the starfish began to dry,
he couldn't help but think
how much he wished to die.
But before he gave up hope
and the sun had turned to red,
he looked up towards the heavens
frowned to God and said,
"Lord you left me alone,
you took me from the sea.
I thought you loved me God,
why would you leave me?"
"My child," God responded,
"I'm always by your side,
but do not fret my son
it's nothing but low tide."
The starfish is an echinoderm that thrives from the poles to the tropics, and anywhere in between. Most starfish can live up to 35 years when they are kept in the wild, whereas, some studies show they only live 5 to 10 years once captured. Scientists have recently adapted to referring to them as sea stars, because the starfish is clearly not a fish. There are roughly 2,000 species that live in our oceans that range from a multitude of shapes and sizes. Most consume mussels, oysters, dead fish, and even sea cucumbers. Sea stars survive by hunting down their own food, which makes them excellent predators. They either catch their meals as they drift by, or in some cases, have been witnessed chasing their food down. Sea stars are sensory organisms, which is what makes them so unique. They also lack blood and brains, so they are forced to use salt water, rather than blood, to push vitamins and minerals through their bodies. One of their most interesting features is their ability to regenerate their limbs. Their nerves start at the center of their bodies and move all the way to the very tips of their rays, enabling them to create new body parts.
In a more literary vision, the sea star symbolizes much more than a sea creature. Many believe it represents strength, magic, patience, mystery, and even renewing. When I think of stars living in the sea, philosopher Hermes Trismegistus reminds me of an infamous quote that states, “As above, so below.” He is basically stating that what occurs on a vibrant, cosmic degree is also imitated on a repetitive, earthy degree. Much like the stars in the sky, the sea stars mirror the night’s shining stars. For years, sea stars have mesmerized people from all over the world. As long as they have embellished the oceans, they have captivated the attention of anyone from an educated marine biologist, to an innocent child that is in awe of such a unique creature. From an ancient Christian perspective, it symbolically represents the Virgin Mary, or Stella Maris, which stands for “Star of the Sea.” She works to create safe travels over hazardous waters and can be seen as a saving grace during tough times. Together, the star and the sea star are seen as symbols that represent an intimate, seraphic love.
Below is a poem that I have always treasured by Christopher Davis:
The Lonely Starfish
There was a lonely starfish
who sat upon the shore,
he spent all his days dreaming
of life on the ocean floor.
So as the day grew longer
and the starfish began to dry,
he couldn't help but think
how much he wished to die.
But before he gave up hope
and the sun had turned to red,
he looked up towards the heavens
frowned to God and said,
"Lord you left me alone,
you took me from the sea.
I thought you loved me God,
why would you leave me?"
"My child," God responded,
"I'm always by your side,
but do not fret my son
it's nothing but low tide."