Mermaids are among the most enchanting and mythical figures in world history. Spread across the globe, from the icy waters of Scandinavia to the warm shores of Africa, different cultures have developed their own unique interpretations and stories. In these stories, the mermaid is depicted as beautiful and sweet to a dangerous predator that you should stay away from.
In Greek mythology, mermaids are best known in the form of sirens . These creatures were originally depicted as half-bird, half-woman, but over time they evolved into the now familiar image of half-human, half-fish.
Sirens became notorious for their enchanting songs that lured sailors to rocky shores, often resulting in shipwreck. These stories were used by the ancient Greeks to warn people of the dangers of the sea.
Further north, in Scandinavian folklore, the ' havfrue ' or mermaid appears. These creatures were less evil than their southern counterparts. Havfrue, as known from Hans Christian Andersen's famous story "The Little Mermaid", are tragic figures who long to become human.
The stories surrounding these northern mermaids often speak of unattainable love and the coming together of the underwater world with the human world.
In Africa we find Mami Wata , a spiritual figure often depicted as a mermaid . Mami Wata is associated with healing, fertility and wealth, she has a complex relationship with her followers, which includes both fear and reverence. She embodies the duality of nature – creator and destroyer, symbolizing the power and mystery of water.
In Asia we find stories like that of the Japanese Ningyo , a fish-like creature that is said to bring bad luck or, according to some stories, to grant an unusually long life to those who catch it. The Ningyo is not depicted as beautiful like the Western mermaid ; this somewhat scary mermaid shows how different mermaid-like creatures can be.
These different stories show how fascinated people worldwide are by mermaids. With themes such as attraction, the danger of the unknown and the boundaries between our world above and the world below.
Nowadays, mermaids are depicted in a more enchanting form. In films and commercials, they are often symbols of freedom and beauty. And there is the possibility for children to swim with a mermaid tail, which makes them feel like a real mermaid.