#mermaid mythology

[waterrealms]

the evolution of mermaids in pop culture 🌊☠️🧜🏾‍♀️

Here’s a recent video essay on the history and evolution of mermaids from myth to popular culture, and while I appreciate the inclusion of clips/footage from the Siren TV series, I was rather disappointed the series itself didn’t get a mention. Likewise, I feel like The Shape of Water should’ve been included as well, especially since it technically featured merfolk, and it's the first mer-related film to ever receive 13 Oscar nominations and win Best Picture.

[princess-ibri]

So do you have any personal headcanons about what the Merfolk kingdoms around the world (outside of Atlantica) are like? Like do you have ideas about their cultures and what the royal families are like?

Not really no. We know there are multiple Merfolk/other aquatic races kingdoms from both the Little Mermaid Books, TV show and the Sofia the First show with Merroway Cove, plus the Neverland mermaids. I figure there are as many Merkingdoms as there are land ones, maybe even more, the oceans a pretty big place. So there's room for literally anything you can imagine, mer-cultures influenced by the folklore of every real life country with a mermaid equivalent, from the Sea Tsar of Russin folklore to the Four Dragon Kings of China.

[iloveethnicities]

In Bahamian folklore, the story of The Sea Woman of Andros is both a cautionary tale and a mystery steeped in the waters surrounding Andros Island. Andros, the largest island in the Bahamas, is known for its deep blue holes, hidden caverns, and secret waterways. The story tells of a mysterious sea-dwelling woman who guards the island’s natural wonders and defends them against those who might wish to exploit or disturb them.

The story begins with a group of fishermen from Andros, eager to expand their catches. The ocean around the island, particularly near the legendary Andros Barrier Reef, is known for its abundant fish, but the fishermen notice that recently the fish seem to have vanished from the shallower waters. Rumors circulate that a powerful spirit has taken hold of the waters to protect something precious that lies deep within. While some islanders heed the warnings, the younger, bolder fishermen scoff, convinced that the lack of fish must be due to outsiders encroaching on their fishing grounds.

One young fisherman named Reuben is particularly determined. He’s heard whispers of the legendary Sea Woman but dismisses them as tales to scare children. Reuben is fiercely ambitious, driven to prove himself as the best fisherman in Andros. Despite warnings from the older fishermen, Reuben gathers his nets and sets out to fish in the deeper waters near the blue holes, places said to be sacred and dangerous. His friends decline to go with him, fearful of the rumors of the Sea Woman who is said to guard those waters.

As Reuben approaches one of the largest blue holes on Andros, the sky grows dark, and an unnatural silence falls over the water. For a moment, he hesitates, feeling a chill that he can’t quite explain. Ignoring his instincts, he casts his net, determined to bring home a great haul. But instead of the usual fish, he feels an immense weight pulling on his net. Thinking he’s caught something enormous, he begins to haul it up with all his strength.

As he pulls, a strange figure rises from the depths—a beautiful but eerie woman with long, flowing hair and shimmering scales along her skin. Her eyes are a piercing green, reflecting both the calm and the fury of the sea. Reuben realizes too late that he’s caught the Sea Woman herself in his net. Frozen with fear, he watches as she untangles herself effortlessly, her movements graceful yet unnerving. She looks him straight in the eyes, her gaze sharp and unforgiving.

The Sea Woman tells Reuben that the waters of Andros are under her protection, and she has seen the greed that has overtaken the hearts of the fishermen. Her duty, she explains, is to guard the creatures of the deep and to keep the balance of life around Andros. She warns him that if he continues to exploit the sacred waters, there will be consequences not just for him but for the entire island.

Reuben, now terrified and regretful, begs her forgiveness, promising to respect the ocean. The Sea Woman considers his plea and, in a voice like the rolling waves, offers him a chance to prove himself. She sets a condition: if he can resist returning to these waters and instead help to protect them, she will not only spare him but also grant him a blessing for his family. But if he breaks his promise and returns out of greed, she will curse his line and the fish around Andros will disappear for generations.

Haunted by this encounter, Reuben returns to the village and tells his story. Some believe him, while others mock him, saying that he must have hallucinated or been scared by a strange fish. But Reuben, deeply affected, takes the Sea Woman’s warning to heart. He becomes a protector of the waters, reminding others of the delicate balance and urging them to fish sustainably, taking only what they need.

Years pass, and Reuben grows older. The fishermen of Andros, inspired by his story, fish carefully and respect the deeper waters. But one day, when a terrible storm hits, a group of young, inexperienced fishermen, desperate after a poor season, defy the island’s unwritten rules and venture too close to the blue hole. They, too, are met by the Sea Woman, who rises out of the water in a rage, her voice booming across the waves as she calls upon the ocean to swallow their boats. Only a few of them make it back to shore, spreading tales of her wrath and her beauty.

Reuben, now a respected elder, tells them that he, too, encountered the Sea Woman and reminds them of the pact he made to protect the island’s waters. He tells them that she is no mere legend but a guardian of the sea, and warns them that unless they return to living in harmony with nature, the Sea Woman will forever curse the waters of Andros, bringing famine to the island.

To this day, fishermen on Andros tell the story of the Sea Woman to their children and grandchildren, passing down the legacy of respect for the ocean. It is said that on quiet nights, when the waters are still, you might glimpse her silvery figure swimming through the blue holes, her eyes watching over her realm, ensuring that the people of Andros remember her warning.

[eirene]

The Mermaid Pl 3, 1911 Edmund Dulac

Mermaid Mondays

[yinza]

I never see elderly mers so I thought I would toss something out there.

Available on Inprnt and in my Etsy shop!

[Image Description: A digital painting of two older black mer people kissing, their tails twined around each other. The mer to the left is a trans man with visible top surgery scars. He has short grey hair in an undercut and the tail of an epaulette shark (tan with black spots). The mer on the right is a fat woman with grey hair partially in cornrows and the tail of a mandarinfish (orange with turquoise patterns). Both wear a few bands of gold jewelry. /end ID]

[bebs-art-gallery]

The Siren | A Mermaid

— by John William Waterhouse (1849-1917)

[ex0skeletal-undead]

by  F3LC4T

[nefarrilou]

L U N A R N E W Y E A R

🐭 ⋘ Hair | Hat | Rat* | Earrings | Hanbok* | Shoes 🐮 ⋘ Hair | Flower | Top | Skirt | Shoes 🐯 ⋘ Mask | Hand Preset | Loincloth | Tiger (cat) 🐰 ⋘ Hair | Hair Acc | Necklace | Dress

🐲 ⋘ Hair | Horns | Top 1*2 | Acc* | Tail*+ Scales 1,2 🐍 ⋘ Hair 1,2,3 | Hat | 🦋 | Outfit | Snake* | Tail 1,2 🐴 ⋘ Hair | Hat | Top | Skirt | Shoes 🐐 ⋘ Hair | Headdress | Dress | No-Feet

🐵 ⋘ Hair | Hat | Dress | Shoes | Blossoms |🐒+🖐🏽 🐔 ⋘ Hair | Wings | Tongue* | Jewelry | Dress | Claw 🐶 ⋘ Hat* | Scarf* | Straw | Outfit | Katanas 🐷 ⋘ Hair | Hat | Outfit + Legwarmer* | Shoe* | Nails

+* Clipping

* Edited to fit the design

* Base Game

C r e a t o r s

🐭 @goamazons @magpiesan @kismet-sims @yakfarm @rimings @rustys-cc 🐮 @simandy @dizzyrobinsims @marsmerizing-sims @dallasgirl79 🐯 @vapidsims @ssspringroll @xldsims @dustyrat 🐰 @sixcircles @palacesims4

🐲@sixcircles @zynoox @maye @julhaos @srta-leila @dansimsfantasy @shandir @astya96cc 🐍 @luutzi @wenwem @simbience @1-800-cuupid @ommosims @natalia-auditore 🐴 @daylifesims @marsmerizing-sims 🐐 @sixcircles @wenwem @kotehok @snaitf

🐵 @plantainboat @zeussim @jius-sims @dansimsfantasy @kalino-thesims 🐔 @simandy @asansan3 @maya @zeussim @regina-raven 🐶 @natalia-auditore @myfawnwysimblr @the-daydream-archives @sims-musou @studio-k-creation 🐷 @zao @maya @charonlee @feralpoodles

🏮 H a p p y L u n a r N e w Y e a r ! 🏮

[vcreatures]

The Sailor Mermaid gets it’s name for not only it’s impressive head sail but also it unique mode of transportation. Arguably one of the fastest of the Sirena family, the Sailor Maid or sometimes referred to as the Sail-Finned Maid will use the large fin much like a sailboat to aid in traveling vast distances in search of food. Their streamline bodies paired with this large sail make for a formidable predator. Mating pairs, using their head sails as barriers will often corral schools of fast moving prey between in order to feed.  

Slide two: An example of the dimorphism found in the skulls of the Sirenia order.

[fate-magical-girls]

The Varieties of Chinese Mermaids

In the modern day, most people will think of the pearl-crying Jiaoren. However JIAOREN IS NOT THE PERFECT EQUIVALENT OF THE MERMAID in pre-modern folklore.

Chinese mermaids come in multiple types. Most of them can be found in the Chronicle of the Mountains and the Seas (Shan Hai Jing/山海經). Others can be found in the In Search of the Supernatural (Sou Shen Ji/搜神記) or Extensive Records of the Taiping Era (Taiping Guangji/太平廣記).

YUFU/MER-WIFE (魚婦): Zhuanxu was a god-emperor in legendary times, whose accomplishments included sending two of his sons to complete the separation of Heaven and Earth. When he died, fish ate his corpse, becoming half fish and half human women. They live in the Great Wilderness toward the west of China. They combine traits of humans, fish, and snakes. The Classic of Mountains and the Seas states: "There is a fish half-withered, it is Zhuanxu that died and then revived; when the winds blow northward, the sky whips up great geysers, snakes transform into fish, and those are mer-wives."

LINGYU/HILL FISH (陵魚，鯪魚): The Lingyu lived in the northern regions of China, either in the sea or mountain streams. They have human faces and limbs, but fish bodies. They are identified with Chinese giant salamanders or mud carp in the modern day. The Classic of Mountains and Seas states: "The nation of Guye is in the sea, among the Guye mountain range, surrounded by peaks to the southwest. There are great crabs are in the sea. There are Lingyu, which have human heads, feet, and hands, in the sea."

CHIRU/RED RU FISH (赤鱬): The Chiru lived in mountain in the south of China. It was red all over, had a human face, and its call sounded like that of a shelduck or mandarin duck. Eating its flesh protected people from contracting scabies. They are identified with sockeye salmon in the modern day. The Classic of Mountains and Seas states: "Three hundred miles more to the east, there is the mountain called Blue Hill...The Ying Waters emerge from here. Within are many Chiru; their forms are like fish, yet they have human faces, and their cries are like that of a shelduck. Those that eat its flesh will never have scabies."

DIREN/DI PEOPLE (氐人): The nation of the Di People was in the South of China. They were human from the waist up and fish from the waist down. They might have been a mythologization of the real Di People, who lived in western China, spread out from Shaanxi to Gansu. They joined the confederation of nomadic peoples who conquered Northern China during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. The Baima people of Gansu believe themselves to be descended from the ancient Di. The Classic of the Mountains and Seas states: "The nation of the Di People is west of the Jianmu Tree. Its inhabitants have human faces but fish bodies, with no feet."

HAI RENYU/SEA MERMAID (海人魚): The Sea Mermaid lives in the East China Sea. They tend to be around five to six shaku tall. (4'7"-5'6" or 1.4-1.68 meters.) Their upper bodies were that of humans, and they were all very beautiful. Their skins were white as jade, and their tails had no scales, but were covered in fine rainbow-colored hairs. Their hair grew long and wild like horse manes. Their private organs were much like that of humans, and they often sought humans or were sought by humans as mates in coastal communities, where they would live in a pool on their spouse's property. Sometimes they had red feelers or fins on their elbows and backs. Their bodies could not be penetrated by blades, but their fats could be harvested after death to form ever-burning candles. Han Dynasty texts state: "Merfolk have a human-like form longer than one shaku. They are not fit for consumption. Their skins are rougher than those of sharks, and cannot be penetrated by saws. They have little holes on their neck that they breathe through...Their fat is used to light lamps in royal tombs because the fire will never extinguish." Extensive Records of the Taiping Era states: "Sea Mermaids are found in the Eastern Sea. The largest ones are five or six shaku long. They are shaped like humans, with the brows and eyes, mouths and noses, hands and fingers, and heads of beautiful women, lacking in no feature. Their flesh is white as jade, and they have no scales, but thin, soft, and sleek hairs of five colors about one or two inches in length. Their private organs were no different from those of ordinary men and women. Widows and widowers from coastal communities often acquire them and raise them in pools. They mate the same way humans do, and never harm humans."

LOTING YUREN/LOTING FISH-MEN (盧亭魚人): Loting Fish-Men were found in the south of China, mostly around the Guangdong, Macau, and Hong Kong regions. They had humanoid limbs and humanoid faces with yellow hair and yellow eyes, but scaly bodies with fish tails. They lived mostly in the water, feeding on fish, but also built houses from mussel shells, and their favorite snack was chicken blood. They were a mythologization of the Tanka People, a southern Chinese pariah class who were once forced to live on their boats, as well as the Semang People. Ming Dynasty texts state: "The Jin Dynasty rebel Lu Ting was defeated and fled into the Guangdong region, where he lived a fugitive life on the water. After some generations, his descendants were unable to procure food or clothes, so they went about bare bodied and were called Loting. They would often sail out on the sea fishing for food, and they could all lie underwater for three or four days without dying, for they had already become fish." Qing Dynasty texts state: "Among the merfolk are the Loting Fish-Men, who are very numerous on Dayushan Island and the Wanshan Islands. Their adults are like humans, with male and female. Their hairs are dusky yellow and short and their eyes are also yellow, while their faces are black. Their tails are around an inch long. When they encounter humans they dive fearfully into the water. Often they would float along the waves, which would amaze people, who would they chase them. When a man who acquired one their females did the dirty with her, the fish-woman could not speak, only giggle. After a long while, she learned to wear clothes and eat grains. She was brought to Dayushan, where she went back to the water. These are the merfolk who do not harm men."

JIAOREN/SAMEBITO/SHARK-MEN (鮫人): Jiaoren are found in the South Seas. THEY ARE MER-SHARKS. THEY HAVE INKY BLACK BODIES, WILD HAIR, GLOWING GREEN EYES, AND SHARP TEETH. They are usually employed by dragon gods as weavers, capable of working tirelessly and spinning special waterproof silks. Their tears became pearls. They were first equated to Western mermaids by modern fantasy writers romanticizing the fact that they cried pearls.

WA WA YU/KIDDO FISH (娃娃魚): The Chinese Giant Salamander was often called a "mer-person" in the Ming and Qing dynasties, and described having a cry that resembled a baby's wail. To this day the colloquial name is still "Kiddo Fish".

[thesirenisles]

Neptune’s Angels🐚🪽

beauty, love, planet energy astrology observation✨

Neptune in the 1st House, Neptune in 2nd

Neptune Ascendant Aspects

Neptune Sun Aspects, Neptune Ruled/ Dominant

Pisces Sun, Venus, Moon, Mars

Pisces Ascendant, Pisces Rising

12th House Placements, esp. Pluto, Neptune, Sun

🐚“Ethereal, but beheld. She was absolutely magical. A changeling. The moon danced in her wet eyes, beckoned by her pure heart. Then like the tide.. she was gone.”

Do not copy any of my original work. All rights reserved. © 2024 The Siren Isles | Leave a tip if you enjoy! 🧜🏾‍♀️

🧿BEWARE OF ENVY🧿

esp. 12th housers, 1st housers, and Pisces Asc & Venus

You never have to do too much. Your siren’s tune announces your presence before you enter the room. Gifted with the siren’s stare and the mermaid’s heart. In social settings, you will find many people push their projections upon you, envious of your ethereal energy.

In example,

POV: You are engaged in a conversation about a niche topic you possess extensive knowledge of (with your philosopher’s soul lol). The person you’re speaking to is mesmerized, completely entranced by your eye contact.

Usually a particularly miserable, (insecure, mean girl type) bystander who witnesses this energy exchange, picks up on this. They see the genuine glimmer in your eyes and can easily deem it flirtation, flattery, and even worse…arrogance to others. This can create negative clouds of gossip, fueled by your natural mystery.

This lack of clear energy, the child-like purity you possess is a key theme of Neptune. This Neptunian energy makes for a juicy meal for the beasts called Envy and Jealousy.

I believe it’s worthy to note the distinct difference between the two.

Jealousy is anger towards the thought of losing something to another, whether that’s a competition, person, or admiration.

Envy, of course is wanting to possess exactly what the other person has. Envy calls upon an evil fouler beast… the coveting.

Coveting is perhaps one of the most dangerous forms of envy and Neptune seems the perfect victim to a covetous green eyed beast.

Why is this?

Neptune’s energy to its core can be compared to the archetype of Persephone, in my opinion. The paramour to Persephone is Hades.

Hades, God of the Underworld rules Pluto.

Per the mythology, he falls deeply and insatiably in love with the young Persephone. She is pure, loving, and adored. He is the broken protector and she is the healer.

He is scorpio and She is pisces!

Side note: Any couples with significant pisces and scorpio placements… I know you feel this. The PASSION!

However, as it pertains to envy... Pluto rules over these obsessive and destructive energies. Others possessing bad aspected Pluto or Mars… even Mercury *cough* Gemini’s… can be really put off by the grace of an ANGEL.

The obsessive digging of a Plutonian, aggressive courting of a Martian, or excessive gossiping of a Mercurial is inevitable as they try to define you or figure you out.

But, you are an enigma! A changeling, always shifting shape…

At first, they will adore you. This adoration will lead to coveting as they try to possess what you have or even worse, YOU. They can become fiendishly obsessed.

This healer dynamic can also get a bit toxic within a relationship if badly aspected or if the broken person does not wish to grow.

protect yourselves, queens!

NEPTUNE’S 🔵 ✨GIFTS

While the energy can come with baggage, ultimately your energy manifests several beautiful gifts. The first and most obvious gift is YOUR BEAUTY!!

You’re the type of person people just stare at… simply in awe of such a uniquely beautiful and out of this world face.

Neptune in the 1st house is a well-known models placement. A gorgeous innocent with a siren-like gaze. Everyone wants to possess you! Some even want to BE YOU.

Immediately what comes to mind is Ms. Marilyn Monroe (Pluto 12th house). So many have idolized and mimicked her energy because she was sexually attractive, but she was most likely even more intoxicating in her private spaces where she felt comfortable.

Nobody oozes sex appeal like the siren, Rihanna. (Pisces Sun) Countless celebrities have mentioned how entranced they were by simply her presence. This is not a beauty that has to be symmetrical like Venus, but ever-changing. You’re everybody’s cup of tea. You have OPTIONS! Some women really just got it like that.

🐚 However.. as I mentioned, people adore your innocent energy and some will expect you to be vapid. They will expect you to be a push-over with a pretty face.

On the contrary, Neptune (and Big Daddy Jupiter for those with pisces placements) blesses you with a vast knowledge, which surprises those who underestimated you… enticing them even more!

🐚 But, My dear Angels… Do you truly KNOW how special you are?

Do you know that your very being consists of magic and Angelic healing energy? The 12th house and Piscean influences are not of this earth, but of the metaphysical. This means that your energy is literally unexplainable to the 3D. It is literally magic connected to spirit!

This energy gifts you with a mermaid’s heart… bigger than your body. The gravitational pull of your heart’s energy is so powerful. Within you is an infinite amount of love for literally all beings. (No joke, it’s giving animals are attracted to you and babies love you vibes. Disney princess vibes! PURR.) Esp, Pisces Venus

However, this includes those who hurt you. (Because your heart is just so pure, it empathically understands why they did what they did and you actually sympathize with your attacker!)

STOP THIS IMMEDIATELY. It is totally stopping your evolution and glow up.

🧿Please protect your angelic energy.

Please take the time to fully isolate and recharge that energy. That is a luxury you MUST afford yourself to maintain or achieve optimum health and vitality. Neptune is the higher octave of Venus, a planet that thrives in self indulgence through the means of the human senses. Pamper yourself. 💅🏾

Think of yourself as a rare silk. You wouldn’t let just anyone trample all over your exquisite fabrics with dirty shoes, hands, or their outside clothing.

The same goes for you, your aura, and your PRESENCE! 🪽

The mere presence of your energy is like fresh Filet Mignon to those starving of true self love.

🐚 An undeserving or broken soul will seek you out like a wayward sailor in a dark storm… hearing your siren song.

You MUST be handled delicately.

Thank you for reading. Wishing you blessings! 🪽✨

PLUTO AVAILABLE ♏️✨ MERCURY AVAILABLE ♍️♓️✨ MARS AVAILABLE ♈️✨ VENUS AVAILABLE♉️♎️ Other planets coming soon.

@thesirenisles | masterlist | Enjoyed? Support!🧜🏾‍♀️

[doodlesinthesnow]

Mermaid gem and siren pearl!

[wolfythewitch]

Wherever I wander, wherever I roam I couldn't be fonder of my big home The bees are buzzin' in the tree To make some honey just for me

[pidgeydraws]

brought you a mermaid sketch, even though I'm on vacation

it's hard to draw nothing at all

[eirene]

The Mermaid Pl 4, 1911 Edmund Dulac

Mermaid Mondays

[yinza]

Manatee mermaid for @ladysarai!

Prints available on Inprnt!

[Image Description: A rough digital painting of a mermaid with the lower half of a manatee. She is fat with light brown skin and long dark hair. She smiles as she swims close to the surface of the water, sunlight making patterns on her back. /end ID]