Few cryptids have had quite the same impact on the global population as the Loch Ness Monster.

Rather than feared and avoided, the mythical creature has come to be affectionately known as “Nessie” by its fans.

A number of people turn up to its supposed home in Loch Ness each year, hoping for a glimpse of the sea creature.

At the heart of the significance of the Loch Ness monster is a long struggle between faith and skepticism.

Every single time believers in the controversial creature are presented with or offer up proof of its existence, it’s always either explained away or declared an outright hoax.

Then came the much talked about image of Loch Ness obtained via an Apple maps satellite. The picture seemed to show a large series of waves that some feel is definite proof of Nessie’s existence.

What everyone did tonight: went to prom Me: went searching for the Loch Ness Monster on Apple maps Found her lol pic.twitter.com/qR39357xyU

— doodoo (@__aus10__) April 20, 2014

After months of careful examination, the results are inconclusive; experts asked to explain the image were not able to precisely identify the cause of the disturbance in the satellite image.

The waves are clearly large enough to have been made in the wake of a large vessel. However, there was no boat identified in the picture.

For fans of Nessie, this image represents the end of a decades-long struggle to prove absolutely that there is a sea creature living deep beneath the waters of Loch Ness.

The Loch Ness monster’s legend has existed for at least 1,500 years. It was not until the 20th century that the mythology of the cryptid truly exploded on the global stage.

In 1934, the now infamous photo of what was claimed to be the Loch Ness monster was taken. 80 years after the fact, the image is still hotly contested among believers and skeptics.

OTD in 1934, The Surgeon's Photo of the Loch Ness Monster was taken. pic.twitter.com/96nsXK902T

— Greg Whitmore (@G_Whizzz) April 19, 2014

There have been many false dawns for believers in the sea creature over the decades. Hoping to cash in on the fame of the legendary beast, there have been persons who have come forward with everything from doctored images to specially created “humps” meant to fool everyone into thinking they’d discovered proof.

The greed and attention-seeking behaviors of these individuals had only caused damage to the reputation of believers in the Loch Ness Monster. Persons who believed in the existence of the sea monster were thought of as gullible children unable to see reason.

People think the Loch Ness Monster has been captured in sat images. Looks like a boats wake if you ask me. #nessy pic.twitter.com/1zDivTagaj

— Jonathan Haysom (@JonoH) April 20, 2014

Now, it seems that the recent unexplained photo may have vindicated long time believers in the Loch Ness Monster.

At least, only in the minds of those open to the possibility the creature exists.

It’s very likely until an actual corpse or living creature is found, people will simply continue to do what they have done for centuries: Choose to believe what they want to about the legend of the Loch Ness Monster.

Loch Ness monster spotted on Apple Maps satellite views. Good attempt at trying to have us take yu seriously. Try again, Apple Maps.

— aeronicks (@Nickoholic) April 20, 2014

Do YOU believe in the Loch Ness Monster? Was this image proof at last? Comment below!

Image via YouTube