Mermaids and Mermen: Facts and Legends
Mermaids and Mermen have been a subject of fascination for centuries. From seafaring sailors to merfolk in popular culture, these aquatic enchantresses are rooted in human imagination, folklore, and mythology. This article explores the facts and legends of mermaids and mermen.
What is a Mermaid and Merman?
A mermaid is a mythical creature with the upper body of a woman, and the lower body of a fish or sea creature. Mermen are the male equivalent, and have the upper body of a man and the lower body of a fish or sea creature. Typically, mermaids and mermen have long flowing hair, and wear shells and other finery.
Where Did the Idea of Merfolk Come From?
Mermaids and mermen are some of the oldest mythical creatures in our collective imaginations. Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle wrote about them in his works, describing mermaids as “pirate-like sea spirits” found in Indian Ocean. Later, old-world sailors reported spotting mermaids on the high seas.
The Oldest Depiction of Mermaids and Mermen
The oldest known depictions of mermaids and mermen come from Assyrian and Babylonian seals found in the Middle East. These artifacts date back to around 1000 BC. In the designs, women with fish-like lower bodies are pictured with gods and goddesses. Some Greek coins from the 4th century BC feature seahorses with mermaids and mermen.
Folklore and Mythology
Throughout history, mermaids and mermen were known as female and male seductresses, who enticed sailors and fisherman to the depths of the sea, only to be lost forever. In legend and folklore, mermaids and mermen were shapeshifters, able to assume human form and marry a human, strong enough to drag people off ships, and able to curse ships and sailors with a variety of spells.
Popular Tales of Merfolk
Many prominent stories of mermaids exist, notably the Hans Christian Anderson fairytale “The Little Mermaid.” It follows a mermaid who falls in love with a prince, and makes a deal with an evil sea witch for a potion to make her human, so she can be with the prince. The story of the “The Little Mermaid” has been retold many times, including in Disney movies and Broadway plays.
A Spiritual Connection
In some cultures, mermaids and mermen are believed to have a spiritual connection. They are said to represent a bridge between the material world and the spiritual one, a place where humans and the divine can meet. In Hawaiian culture, for example, mermaids are believed to be healers, good luck charms, and protectors of sacred knowledge.
In Popular Culture
Mermaids and mermen are present in many aspects of popular culture. Movies and TV shows such as “Splash” and “The Little Mermaid” portray realistic and fantastical mermaids, while cartoons such as “Spongebob Squarepants” and “The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run” feature some of our favorite animated merfolk.
Merfolk in Fiction
Many books and stories feature characters who are part mermaid or merman. In “The Hunger Games”, Katniss Everdeen’s companion is a mermaid-like faun creature with fur and fish-like tails. The “Harry Potter” series introduces Professor Newton Scamander, who is in fact a half-human, half-merman Animagus.
Real Life Sightings
Despite being mythical creatures, there have been alleged sightings of mermaids and mermen in real life. In 2012, coastal residents reported seeing a mermaid on the shore near Kiryat Yam, Israel. In 2016, a farm in Zimbabwe claimed that a mermaid had cursed their family.
Are Mermaids and Mermen Real?
The answer to this question remains a mystery. There is no evidence to suggest that merfolk are real, but then again, a mermaid or merman sighting could be explained away as a confused seal or manatee. Whether or not mermaids and mermen actually exist, they’ve certainly captured our collective imaginations!
