MERMAIDS/E, MEREMADIAN
European Mythology
Scottish Mythology
Female Version of Merman/ Half Fish Half Humanoid
This is the name of a female water being in the form of a beautiful young woman from the head to the waist, and the rest of her body being like the tail of a huge fish. MERMAIDS have been a part of folklore and mythology of maritime and freshwater cultures since ancient times. The derivation of the English name means both "sea" and "lake" maiden, however there are many different regional names in the British Isles, such as BEN VARREY, CEASG, CLYRTIE, GWENHIDWY, LIBAN,MARI MORGAN, MERROW, ROANE, and SELKIE.
The MERMAIDS are often seen as sitting on rocks holding a mirror and combing their long hair whilst singing and enticing curious sailors to come closer to the dangerous rocks. It is the singing that allies them to the SIRENS, luring sailors to their doom. Even the ancient accounts, as well as the more modern ones, mention the appearance of these supernaturals in conjunction with misfortune and disaster, although they can be benevolent. In regional tales from Scotland, Wales, and Cornwall England, when rescued they have given humans the knowledge of herbal cures for fatal sickness, other rich gifts, and warnings of storms. They may marry with humans, their offspring having webbed feet and fingers, but they usually return to their watery world, where their consorts are called MERMEN.
During the period in Europe the MERMAID was considered to be an agent of the devil and a symbol of deceit. She was often depicted on church furniture holding a fish, which symbolized the entrapment of of the soul of the Christian drawn to sin by charms and flattery. In later periods through to today, the image of the MERMAID is frequently to be seen in the coats of arms of Europe and is part of the repertoire of heraldry.
There is a rich tradition of folk-tales and songs about MERMAIDS from other cultures all around the world, such as the BONITO MAIDENS of the Solomon Islands; the Saivo-Neita and Havfrue of Scandinavia; the NAKINNEITO of Finland and the Nakineiu of Estonia; the IMANJA and JAMANIA from Brazil; LA SARENA from Spain; the HALFWAY PEOPLE of the Micmac of Canada; MARGYGRG of Greenland; and the NIGYO from Japan.
Source: Giants, Monsters, and Dragons: An Encyclopedia of Folklore, Legend, and Myth