Have You Ever Wondered...
Are mermaids real?
What is a mermaid?
How long have mermaid myths and legends been around?
When one of our Wonder Friends asked whether mermaids were real, we knew just who to ask. We went to Myrtle, the Wonderopolis mermaid. She lives in the depths of the Wonder Sea. Myrtle told us that, while mermaids exist in Wonderopolis, they’ve never been found elsewhere on Earth.
Mermaids aren’t real. Still, they have fascinated people for thousands of years. But what exactly is a mermaid? When most people hear the word “mermaid,” they think of a creature that’s half-human, half-animal. Specifically, they usually picture a woman whose legs have been replaced by the long tail of a fish.
Of course, the stories of mermaids also include male mermaids, known as mermen. Together, mermaids and mermen make up merfolk! There are many stories of creatures that are half-human, half-animal. Mermaids are just one of the most popular.
The history of mermaid legends and myths goes back a long time. It’s full of many versions of similar creatures all over the world. For example, the Babylonian fish god Era was a merman. Likewise, the Greek god Triton was a merman figure. Both have been around for many hundreds of years.
The first stories about mermaids, though, come from thousands of years ago. They’re from ancient Assyria. These stories say that the goddess Atargatis changed herself into a mermaid. She did so after she accidentally killed a human. This may be why many older mermaid legends associated them with bad luck. Old stories often blame mermaids for storms and shipwrecks.
This view may also be the result of their connection with the mythological Greek creatures known as sirens. The sirens were popularized in Homer’s Odyssey. They were known to lure sailors into dangerous waters. They did so with their beauty and singing.
In many other cultures, however, mermaids were seen as good creatures. They brought good luck. Some even fell in love with humans. These mermaids are the ones that have become popular in modern stories. This includes Hans Christian Andersen’s "The Little Mermaid" and Disney’s musical version of the tale.
Have mermaids always been nothing more than myths and legends, though? Not at all! Over the years, many people have reported seeing mermaids. In fact, Christopher Columbus reported seeing mermaids in the Caribbean. Are these sightings all made up? Or is there another explanation? Some scientists think they might have an answer.
Mermaids have also often been connected to sirenia. This is a biological order of animals. It includes dugongs and manatees. Some experts say that mermaid sightings might actually be misunderstood run-ins with these animals.
Might there really be mermaids deep under the ocean waters? Today, mermaid sightings are rarely reported. In 2012, the U.S. National Ocean Service confirmed that no evidence of mermaids has ever been found. Still, these creatures capture our imaginations. It’s no WONDER that some people hold a special place in their hearts for mermaids. Many hope that they might really exist in the depths of the seas!
Try It Out
Did you enjoy today's Wonder of the Day? Dive even deeper into learning about mermaids by checking out one or more of the following activities with a friend or family member:
Is The Little Mermaid one of your favorite movies of all time? Have you ever wished you could be like Ariel? What do you think life would be like if you could be a real mermaid? What would be fun and exciting about it? What might be difficult? Do you think it would be difficult to make friends, since humans can't live in the water and fish can't talk? Use your imagination and come up with a list of pros and cons for being a real mermaid in today's world. Share your list with friends and family members. Do they agree with your points? What thoughts do they have?
Ready for story time? Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid is a folklore classic. Find a younger friend or sibling and read the story to them. As you read, ask your listener questions about the story to make sure they understand it. Have fun with an old-fashioned story time with an old classic!
Mermaids can be found in the mythology and popular folklore of many different countries around the world. Explore the American Museum of Natural History's Becoming Mermaids feature to learn more about why water spirits in many cultures resemble mermaids. You'll learn more about the folklore of various areas and how different areas have common symbolism related to mermaid-type creatures.
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