Cthulhu is a fictional cosmic entity created by writer H.P. Lovecraft in his short story "The Call of Cthulhu," published in 1928. It is often depicted as a gigantic creature with an octopus-like head, a mass of tentacles, and a scaly body. Cthulhu is part of the Cthulhu Mythos, a shared universe that includes various other deities and monsters, reflecting themes of cosmic horror and the insignificance of humanity. In the stories, Cthulhu lies dormant beneath the Pacific Ocean in the sunken city of R'lyeh. It is said that when the stars align, Cthulhu will awaken, bringing chaos and madness to the world. The character has become a significant figure in popular culture, inspiring numerous adaptations in literature, games, and films.