The True Story and Meaning of the Fish Rock in Bedri Rahmi Bay

As you glide through the turquoise waters of Göcek, you enter one of the most beloved shelters for boats: Bedri Rahmi Bay. The first thing that greets you is a simple yet powerful figure of a fish on a seaside rock, set amidst lush green nature. This drawing is not just an ornament for the bay; it is its very soul and identity. So, who painted this fish there, when, and why? What are the deep meanings behind this seemingly simple figure? Here is the true story of that famous fish painting, a tale filled with friendship, art, and a love for the Aegean.

The Spirit of the Blue Voyage and an Artistic Pioneer: Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu

To understand the story, we must first get to know our hero and the spirit of the era. Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu (1911-1975) was not just a painter but also a poet, writer, and one of Turkey's most important intellectuals. Alongside figures like the Fisherman of Halicarnassus (Cevat Şakir Kabaağaçlı) and Azra Erhat, he was a pioneer of the "Blue Voyage" movement. This movement was much more than a simple holiday; it was an intellectual endeavor aimed at rediscovering Anatolia's ancient heritage, nature, and culture via the sea. For Bedri Rahmi, the sea and fish were symbols of Anatolian civilizations, abundance, and life itself.

The Birth of the Painting: 1974, a Gathering of Friends, and a Gift

In the year 1974, Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu embarked on one of the last Blue Voyages of his life with his family and close friends. When they anchored in this sheltered and serene bay, then known as Taşyaka, he was deeply moved by the beauty of nature. According to legend, a friend on this journey asked him, "Master, you've come all this way, won't you leave us a memento?" Inspired by this sincere request, Bedri Rahmi took his paints and, on the large, smooth rock most easily accessible from the boat, created his famous work that would immortalize the spirit of the Blue Voyage.

The Secret of the Fish: Hidden Meanings Behind the Obvious

Although it appears to be a simple fish at first glance, Bedri Rahmi's work contains layered meanings. In the artist's works, the fish is a motif symbolizing plenty and abundance. However, this particular fish carries a much more personal message. Upon closer inspection, one can notice other figures hidden within the fish. It is believed that these figures represent the artist's family.

The general consensus is that the fish form itself symbolizes his wife, the painter Eren Eyüboğlu, who was his greatest supporter and love throughout his life. The smaller figures hidden inside the fish are thought to represent himself and his children. Thus, with a simple fish painting, the artist essentially sealed his love for the sea, nature, and most importantly, his family as a whole onto the rock. This work is, in a way, the "Eyüboğlu Family's Blue Voyage Memoir."

From a Work of Art to a Bay's Identity

This heartfelt gift from Bedri Rahmi was so embraced over time that the bay's original name, Taşyaka, was forgotten, and it began to be known among the people as "Bedri Rahmi Bay." The painting became an inseparable part and symbol of the bay. A modest mark left on nature by an artist renamed the geography itself and gave a bay an immortal identity. Today, the work is regularly protected and maintained.

Gocek Online Tip: When you visit the bay, don't just look at the painting from a distance. If you have the chance, swim from your boat to the rock and try to discover the figures with your own eyes. Seeing the texture of the artist's brushstrokes and how the work integrates with nature up close will make the story even more meaningful.