Leukothea was a sea goddess who aided sailors in distress. She was once a mortal princess, but after various vicissitudes she was accepted among marine gods. She was solitary and occasionally she took the shape of a seagull. In the Odyssey Leukothea came to the aid of Odysseus when his raft had been destroyed by Poseidon, and wrapped him in the safety of her buoyant shawl.