H.P. Lovecraft, the celebrated American writer known for his contributions to the horror genre, created the character of Cthulhu as part of a broader mythos that included a pantheon of ancient, cosmic deities. Lovecraft did not believe in Cthulhu in a literal sense; rather, he crafted Cthulhu as a symbol of humanity’s insignificance in the face of an incomprehensible universe.
The essence of Cthulhu is rooted in Lovecraft’s fascination with existential themes and the unknown. The creature embodies the fear of the unknown and the limits of human understanding. In his stories, Cthulhu represents forces beyond human comprehension, emphasizing Lovecraft’s belief that the universe is vast, indifferent, and often terrifying. He used Cthulhu and his other creations to explore these themes rather than advocate for their literal belief.
In a letter to fellow writer Robert Bloch, Lovecraft himself stated that he looked upon his Cthulhu Mythos as fictional and intended to evoke horror and wonder, not a belief system. This reinforces that while Cthulhu is a powerful cultural and literary symbol, lovecraft’s personal belief system did not extend into the realm of the supernatural existing outside of fiction.