Creature Spotlight: Mermaid

MERMAID: A mythological creature with the a female human head and torso, but the tail of a fish.

"Lonly Mermaid" by Synne bryntesen NB

In many mythological works, mermaids are similar in nature to sirens. They sing to humans or gods to enchant them, and thereafter drag them underwater. In some stories, the mermaids simply forget that humans cannot breathe in the deep dark of the ocean, as they can. In others, they are spiteful creatures who drown humans for fun or out of hatred.

The first legends of mermaids date as far back as 5000 BC, with numerous tales and many claimed sightings reported since then. Works of literature involving mermaids include The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Anderson, The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling.








A mermaid found a swimming lad,
Picked him for her own,
Pressed her body to his body,
Laughed; and plunging down
Forgot in cruel happiness
That even lovers drown. 
-William Butler Yeats  

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