King Triton

**King Triton** is a figure from Hellenic mythology who is also a character in *The Little Mermaid* (1989).

## History

### Greek Mythology

Triton was the godly son of the sea-god Poseidon and his wife Queen Amphitrite. He lived in a golden palace on the ocean floor and is often identified as having had a magical conch-shell.

### The Little Mermaid

Triton was a merman who by the late-18th to 19th century, served as king of the Ocean and the merpeople. Triton garnered his control of the seas through his magical trident, seemingly identical to that used by Poseidon. He resided in the underwater city of Atlantica along with his wife, seven mermaid daughters, and sea-witch sister Ursula. Triton's wife eventually died and for unknown circumstances, Ursula was banished from Atlantica.

## Appearances and allusions

### Disney Vacation Club

There is a wooden sculpture of Triton appearing within the, "Seafarers Wood Carving" shop of Prince Eric's kingdom. Triton appears on a map's compass within Goff's cartography shop.

### King Triton's Carousel

King Triton was the namesake for this Paradise Pier attraction themed around sea-creatures.

### The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure/Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

Triton appears in the conclusion scene of this ride, turning Ariel into a human so she can marry Eric. In Disney's California Adventure, a bronze sculpture of Triton decorates the entrance to the aquarium which serves as the attraction's' facade.

### Magic of Disney Animation

A design of Triton appears to represent the astrological sign of Aquarius on the Magic Mirror from Snow White.

## Connections

### Mystic Point

There is a bronze statue of Triton's father Poseidon outside of the *Mystic Point Freight Depot*.

### Pirates of the Caribbean

In the film Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, the historic pirate Blackbeard was in-possession of a magical blade called the Sword of Triton which allowed him to control ships.

### Typhoon Lagoon

Two objects pertaining to Ariel are seen within the wreck of the *M.S. Salty IV* within this Typhoon Lagoon attraction. Namely are the contract which Ariel made with Ursula, and her, "Snarfblatt" (salvaged pipe). Both of these being artifacts in the collection of Captain Mary Oceaneer, a member of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers who was marooned in Blustery Bay.

## Trivia

* Greek mythological figures related to Triton have appeared in other Disney attractions. This includes a statue of Zeus in the Adventurers Club which was known as, "Zeus goes fishing", Hades serving as main-antagonist in Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, an amphora portraying a battle between Heracles and the Nemean Lion in Mystic Manor, Medusa's portrait in the Haunted Mansion, and the the nymph Calypso being a prominent figure in Pirates of the Caribbean.

## References

1. ↑ https://www.disneyeveryday.com/a-look-inside-seafarers-wood-carving-in-new-fantasyland-at-the-magic-kingdom/
2. ↑ https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2014/02/all-in-the-details-exploring-a-cartographers-map-in-prince-erics-village-new-fantasyland/
3. ↑ https://www.yesterland.com/triton.html
4. ↑ https://allears.net/2014/03/21/disneys-california-adventure-animation-building/