Mermaids are popular images in novels, short stories, television shows, and movies but, where do the stories come from? And is there any evidence that these creatures have ever existed?
What is a Mermaid?
Mermaids are sea-dwelling creatures that have the upper body and head of a human being and the lower body of a fish. The lower body, according to various legends, can look like a fish’s or dolphin’s tail.
Mermaids appear in many cultures’ folklore and pop culture, but there is no objective evidence that these mythical creatures ever really existed. In fact, scientists believe that mermaids have always been mistaken for dugongs, close relatives of manatees, when they come up for air out of the water.
Dr. Compora, a professor at the University of Toledo specializing in folklore and pop culture,, notes that one of the most well-known origin stories connects mermaids to the sirens of Greek mythology.
“A significant portion of our modern idea of mermaids likely stems from the Greek Sirens,” he explains. “While Sirens were not always depicted as part fish, Classical Greek art occasionally portrayed them this way, and this image has persisted in Western culture.”
Mythology
Mermaid legends have ancient roots, with similar creatures appearing across various cultures for thousands of years. In ancient Assyria, around 1,000 BC, the first known stories of mermaids emerged, featuring deities that blended human and aquatic features. These myths were not isolated; in Babylonian mythology, the fish-god Oannes, who brought wisdom to humanity, was depicted as a half-man, half-fish figure. Similarly, the Greek god Triton was portrayed as a merman, playing an important role in many sea myths. These deities were considered protectors of the seas but also held a fearsome power, symbolizing the ocean’s unpredictability.
Throughout history, mermaids have oscillated between the roles of benevolent guardians and harbingers of doom, symbolizing both the beauty and dangers of the deep sea.
The Goddess Atargatis: The First Mermaid
The most famous early mermaid legend is that of Atargatis, the Syrian goddess often considered the first mermaid. Atargatis fell in love with a mortal shepherd, but in a tragic turn, accidentally killed him. Overcome with guilt, she threw herself into a lake, hoping to transform into a fish and escape her shame. However, the waters only partially granted her wish—her lower half became that of a fish, while her upper half remained human.
This blend of beauty and sorrow captured the duality often seen in mermaid myths: they are creatures of both grace and tragedy, representing the tension between humanity and the mysterious, sometimes destructive, forces of nature.
This tale may also have contributed to later associations between mermaids and misfortune, as many sailors began to believe that sightings of mermaids foretold storms, shipwrecks, and bad luck at sea.
Mermaids in Literature and Folklore
Mermaid legends permeate cultures worldwide, transcending mere folklore to become symbols of the mysterious and the liminal—entities bridging the gap between the known and the mystical. Their representations vary significantly across different cultures, illustrating the global fascination with these sea beings. For example:
In Japan, the ningyo, a creature with a human face and a fish’s body, is believed to bring misfortune and storms, reflecting the unpredictable nature of the sea.
In African and Caribbean traditions, figures like Mami Wata are venerated as powerful water spirits, associated with healing and protection, indicating the reverence and fear inspired by water in these cultures.
Numerous publications throughout history have also included mermaids or mermaid-like beings. One Thousand and One Nights is a famous example. In this collection of Arabic stories, there is mention of “sea people.” In these stories, sea people are typically depicted as mysterious beings that inhabit the underwater world, embodying characteristics of both humans and aquatic creatures, much like mermaids and mermen. These characters serve various roles—from benign guides to eerie omens or formidable adversaries.
The depiction of mermaids in Western art and folklore is equally rich. For example, one of the earliest surviving depictions of a mermaid comes from Durham Castle in England. It was of Norman construction and was built around 1078.
One interesting legend describes a mermaid visiting the village of Zennor in Cornwall. She fell in love with a chorister, Matthew Trewhella. It’s been suggested that at night it’s possible to hear the two singing together. There is a depiction of the mermaid at the Church of Saint Senara. This carving, which features on the side of a chair, is around 600 years old. It can be seen below:
Other legends originated in Western and Eastern Europe, Byzantine, Greece, China, Korea, and more. Unsurprisingly, in Korea, a country that’s surrounded by water on three sides, there are numerous stories of mermaids with human features. For example, a story of a mayor saving four mermaids from a fisherman and an underwater kingdom known as Naranda.
Modern-Day Obsession with Mermaids
The modern-day obsession with mermaids has been further fueled by modern-day animations and films centered around them.
Disney’s 2023 remake of “The Little Mermaid,” the 2023 Netflix documentary “MerPeople,” and Fairgrounds St. Pete’s “Mystical Mermaid March,” an immersive art and tech experience celebrating month-long celebration of mer-culture in mermaid-inspired spaces, all highlight this ongoing obsession. Additionally, the “finfluencer” trend, with figures like Grace Page and Merman Chris gaining popularity on social media, continues to spread mermaid culture.
Of course, this fascination traces back to the original tale by Hans Christian Andersen and “The Little Mermaid” movie by Disney from 1989, which received critical acclaim and earned three Academy Award nominations. Dr. Daniel Compora believes that much of today’s mermaid obsession can be attributed to the impact of this beloved Disney film.
Sightings
Despite the lack of evidence supporting the existence of mermaids, some people still believe they are real and throughout history, many different people have claimed to have seen mermaids swimming in the Earth’s oceans. A few of these mermaid sightings are explored in detail below.
“People have a strong desire to believe in the unbelievable,” says Dr. Compora, noting that mythical creatures like the Loch Ness Monster and mermaids help people make sense of the vast and mysterious oceans. “The idea that something unknown is out there has always fascinated people, and the hope of being the one to encounter it adds meaning to life,” Dr. Compora adds.
Mermaid Bodies in Gaul
In the 2nd century, some claimed that mermaid corpses were washing up on the beaches. Their bodies were covered with scales. In Pliny the Elder’s writings, he mentions that the Governor of Gaul even wrote a letter to Emperor Augustus to inform him about these creatures.
Christopher Columbus 1493 Sightings
One of the best apocryphal story attributes a mermaid sighting to Christopher Columbus during his voyage in the late 1500s, off the coast of Hispaniola. He noted their masculine features and specifically said they weren’t beautiful. Today, historians believe that if he saw anything, he saw manatees. He likely “discovered” was North America’s first manatee. Manatees are most likely the closest we’ll ever come to encountering a “real” mermaid.
Mayne Island
Around Mayne Island, a small Canadian island between Vancouver Island and British Columbia, some tourists have claimed to see mermaids. Their accounts describe a blonde-haired mermaid on a beach. She was eating salmon and sit-in in the waves. One man even offered a $25,000 reward for the mermaid’s capture. No one was ever able to find this creature or prove that she existed.
North Sentinel Island
The ocean remains a vast and largely unexplored frontier, filled with mysteries that captivate our imagination. One such mystery was shared by a Reddit user who recounted a remarkable encounter during a scuba diving trip off the coast of North Sentinel Island. While exploring the vibrant coral reefs, the diver noticed a figure hidden in a shadowy cavern. At first, it seemed like a large fish, but as they drew closer, it appeared to be a mermaid, with a human-like upper body, shimmering hair, eyes filled with curiosity and an iridescent tail.
The diver described a brief, mesmerizing encounter, where the mermaid swam gracefully around them before disappearing into the depths, leaving the user questioning the limits of our understanding of the ocean’s mysteries.
This account, though difficult to verify, raises the question: could there be more to the legends of mermaids than mere myth?
Evidence For Mermaids
There is very little, to no evidence for mermaids’ existence, despite sometimes compelling stories and anecdotal accounts from men and women around the world.
However, the persistent and consistent folklore across various maritime cultures describes mermaids similarly, which intrigues many. Additionally, mermaids have been a recurring theme in art throughout history, from ancient sculptures to modern films, potentially hinting at a shared human experience or observation.
Recent claims of mermaid sightings from diverse global locations also fuel the debate, though these are often regarded skeptically by the scientific community. While none of these elements provide definitive proof, they maintain a level of curiosity and discussion regarding these mythical sea creatures.
Evidence Against Mermaids
“No evidence of aquatic humanoids has ever been found.”
–NOAA
The scientific consensus points to a lack of verifiable proof to the existence of mermaids. Modern marine biology and oceanography have explored vast areas of the ocean, yet no credible physical evidence—such as bodies or distinct parts unique to a mermaid—has ever been discovered. Genetic and evolutionary science also provide no support for the existence of a humanoid creature capable of aquatic life in the way mermaids are traditionally depicted.
Additionally, many historical mermaid sightings can be attributed to misidentified marine life such as manatees or dugongs, known for their somewhat human-like features when viewed from a distance.
Skeptics argue that the consistency of mermaid myths across cultures is more likely a result of human imagination influenced by maritime environments rather than encounters with real creatures.
Conclusion: Are Mermaids Real?
The legend of mermaids has captivated human imagination across cultures and centuries, embodying a blend of the mysterious allure of the ocean and the human form. While there is intriguing anecdotal evidence and numerous myths that suggest their existence, scientific investigations and modern understanding of marine biology have yet to confirm mermaids as real creatures. This gap between folklore and empirical evidence highlights the fascinating role of myth in human culture and our enduring fascination with the unknown depths of the sea.
FAQs
Where are mermaids found?
According to legend, mermaids inhabit bodies of water around the world. They are far more common in the open ocean than they are in smaller lakes. But there are stories of merpeople living in lakes and rivers.
Where did mermaids come from?
Legends about mermaids date back to around 1,000 BC and stories originating from Assyria. These are not the only tales, though. There are versions of mermaid stories from many different civilizations.
How big is a mermaid?
Most legends depict mermaids in as many different sizes as human beings. But, others describe them as being significantly bigger or smaller than humans.
What are the mermaid’s powers?
Depending on the story, some mermaids can shapeshifter, control nature, read minds, fly, and turn invisible. Most commonly, stories described them talking to sea creatures, singing beautifully, and being exceptionally attractive.
What would a mermaid eat?
In legends and in the imagination of writers, mermaids usually eat fish, sea vegetables, and other sea-dwelling sources of food. There are instances where humans share their food with mermaids.
