Based on the story of the "Flying Dutchman", the ghost of a young man who has lost his wife and child at sea sails restlessly around the world. In his left hand he holds a compass, little demons accompany him on his journey. The full moon illuminates this eerie scene, and you can see that the arm of an octopus has torn out the sailor's heart. In the foreground, a woman and child emerge from the water, seemingly forever out of reach. This is symbolized by their representation in the glass sphere. But the compass gives hope that the sad sailor will eventually come to rest and find his way back to his beloved.