A mermaid is a mythological sea creature that is half woman, half fish. In folklore, the mermaid is usually portrayed as having a naked upper body, long flowing hair, and a fish tail replacing the legs. Mermaids are young and beautiful, and almost irresistible to sailors. They are deadly to those who approach in response to their mesmerizing songs. They typically carry a comb and mirror, and are often depicted resting on rocks.
Mermaids, like unicorns, have been frequently sighted in recorded history. This may be a result of the long, ocean journeys sailors made without female companionship, or it may be there was a culture of expectation that sea-faring explorers should bring back reports of mermaids and other exotic creatures from their far-flung journeys. Christopher Columbus, for example, claimed in his journal in 1493 that he had seen 3 mermaids off the coast of Haiti. Some speculate that these may have been manatees. He described them as not being very pretty, and as resembling men. Henry Hudson, too, saw mermaids, off the coast of Russia in 1608. They apparently had very white skin and black hair, and the tail of a porpoise, but speckled like a fish.
Most modern depictions of mermaids have been influenced by Hans Christian Andersen's tale, "The Little Mermaid." There is a bronze sculpture of the nameless main character at the harbor in Copenhagen, Denmark. Nowadays, children around the world know of her from Disney's version, where the little mermaid has acquired the name Ariel. The Disney version, of course, has a romantic happy ending, while the mermaid in the original tale dissolves and becomes a spirit after the prince marries a human princess.
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Picture of a mermaid and ocean scene, put together digitally
Picture #: 085584 |
Stock photo of a statue of mermaid, Amphitrite Sunset House Reef, Grand Cayman British West Indies, Caribbean Sea
Picture #: 032425 |
Picture of a Polynesian mermaid, native art painted on jaw bone of whale, Rangiroa, Tahiti, French Polynesia
Picture #: 076634 |
Picture of a scuba diver in a mountain lake with King Ludwig mermaid, Germany, Bavaria
Picture #: 051767 |
Picture of a mermaid and ocean scene, put together digitally
Picture #: 061590 |
Stock photo of a scuba diver in a mountain lake with King Ludwig mermaid, Germany, Bavaria
Picture #: 051782 |
Picture of a mermaid and ocean scene, put together digitally
Picture #: 061697 |
Picture of historic scrimshaw engraved with a mermaid, Peters Cafe Scrimshaw Museum, Horta, Faial Island, Azores, Portugal, North Atlantic
Picture #: 090057 |
