History
The concept of mermaids has existed since 2000 BC and dates back even further in various cultures (Radford). Each culture has its own rendition of the mermaid legend and has different characteristics categorized with mermaids. Goddesses are believed to continue living by becoming mermaids. The first goddess to turn into a mermaid was the goddess Aphrodite. For the goddesses who turn into mermaids, the tails have significant meaning and is said to be “a reminder of their lost divinity... receiving the souls of drowned men" (Varner). In 1000 BC, the goddess of Assyrian culture, Artargatis, is said to have jumped into the sea out of guilt and turned into a mermaid (Mermaid History - Origins of Sirens and Mermaids). The legend grew to say the sister of Alexander the Great roams the sea causing havoc on the ships which report her brother is dead but granting calm waters to those who report her bother is alive and well.
Greek culture includes the Greek god named Triton who was a merman who ruled the sea (Atsma). Mermaids play a large role in the culture of the world because the legend is intertwined throughout history. In Philistine culture, a half man and half fish creature named Dagon is believed to be the god of grain and the inventor of the plough (Varner). Vishnu is a god in Hindu religion who can take on a variety of forms including a fish. The people of the Hindu religion believe Vishnu saved them from a flood covering the entire planet (Varner). River mermaids were common in the Native American and South African culture and were believed to only live in moving water such as rivers and at the base of waterfalls. The only culture to believe mermaids lived in still water, such as wells, is in Zimbabwe. The Native Americans also believe a mermaid led them to North America many years ago (Varner).
Over time, mermaids have developed different names in various cultures. Such names include siren, water fairy, and water nymph. Just as different names have developed, so have different views on the personality of mermaids. In Chinese, Persian, and Irish culture, mermaids were seen as kind creatures, capable of love, and living on the shore (Mermaid History - Origins of Sirens and Mermaids). But in many other cultures, mermaids were feared and seen as deceiving creatures waiting to drag an individual to the bottom of the ocean (Varner). People from various cultures would not go in the water at certain times of the day to avoid being killed by a mermaid. The physical appearance of a mermaid includes fair skin, long hair, and a body consisting of both human and fish characteristics (Varner). The tail of a fish commonly replaces the legs of a woman giving her the appearance known to mermaids. The qualities associated with mermaids have developed over time based upon sightings of mermaids and claims of caught mermaids. Fishermen have claimed to have caught and dissected mermaids finding they possess many human qualities (Varner).
Greek culture includes the Greek god named Triton who was a merman who ruled the sea (Atsma). Mermaids play a large role in the culture of the world because the legend is intertwined throughout history. In Philistine culture, a half man and half fish creature named Dagon is believed to be the god of grain and the inventor of the plough (Varner). Vishnu is a god in Hindu religion who can take on a variety of forms including a fish. The people of the Hindu religion believe Vishnu saved them from a flood covering the entire planet (Varner). River mermaids were common in the Native American and South African culture and were believed to only live in moving water such as rivers and at the base of waterfalls. The only culture to believe mermaids lived in still water, such as wells, is in Zimbabwe. The Native Americans also believe a mermaid led them to North America many years ago (Varner).
Over time, mermaids have developed different names in various cultures. Such names include siren, water fairy, and water nymph. Just as different names have developed, so have different views on the personality of mermaids. In Chinese, Persian, and Irish culture, mermaids were seen as kind creatures, capable of love, and living on the shore (Mermaid History - Origins of Sirens and Mermaids). But in many other cultures, mermaids were feared and seen as deceiving creatures waiting to drag an individual to the bottom of the ocean (Varner). People from various cultures would not go in the water at certain times of the day to avoid being killed by a mermaid. The physical appearance of a mermaid includes fair skin, long hair, and a body consisting of both human and fish characteristics (Varner). The tail of a fish commonly replaces the legs of a woman giving her the appearance known to mermaids. The qualities associated with mermaids have developed over time based upon sightings of mermaids and claims of caught mermaids. Fishermen have claimed to have caught and dissected mermaids finding they possess many human qualities (Varner).