Mystical Mermaids

Mermaids have been a part of mythology since ancient times, and they’ve been depicted in art and folklore across the world dating back to the 1800's.

According to Etymology the term “mermaid” comes from the Latin word “mere,” which means “sea,” and “maid,” which means “unmarried women.” Mermaids are depicted as half-woman, half-fish sea creatures. They were also often described as having long hair and an enchanting singing voice that could hypnotize and control their victims.

The origins of these mythical creatures can be traced back to Ancient Greece and even further back in time to 1000 BC in Assyria, which is present-day Syria. In Greece, the most famous ancient mermaid story is the scene from Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey— in which Odysseus is warned by the sorceress Circe of the irresistible song of the Sirens. It should be noted that in ancient Greek mythology, the term “mermaid” did not exist. Instead, sirens were often referred to as mermaids. Popular pieces of literature that centers around mermaids include: “The Deep” by Rivers Solomon, “Into the Drowning Deep” by Mira Grant, and “The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea” by Maggie Tokuda-Hall.

In modern culture, mermaids are often seen as symbols of female empowerment. They’re often portrayed as strong she-creatures who know how to defend themselves and they’re not always portrayed as being beautiful or feminine. In fact, some depictions show them as sea monsters with scales, fins, and razor sharp claws.

Today, the existence of mermaids in modern art have become increasingly accepted —you can find them in artwork by famous artists like Gustav Klimt and John William Waterhouse. Also, in movies like Splash, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. And in television shows like Once Upon A Time and The Magicians.