MERMAIDS ~ THE NYMPHS OF THE SEA

The ancient Greek Mermaids are a type of sea nymphs and are regarded as minor goddesses of the sea and oceans. They prefer to inhabit salt-water environments including lagoons, rather than freshwater lakes or streams.

➖In Greek Religion

They are believed to be the Oceanides who were born to Titan god Oceanus, the eldest son of Gaia and Uranus, by his sister Tethys. In another version of myth, they are descendants of Poseidon and the daughters of Triton.

Aphrodite, the goddess of love, sexuality, beauty and desire, is strongly linked with all the sea nymphs, for it is they that found, raised and helped her become the most perfect of all females and the epitome of beauty.

➖Appearance 

They are often represented as the upper half of a beautiful young maiden joined to the lower half of a fish, usually holding a comb in the right hand and a mirror in the left. The comb and the mirror reflect the myths that a mermaid is often found resting upon the waves, combing out her long hair, whilst admiring herself in the mirror.

The abundant, flowing hair and the beauty of the Mermaids combined with impossible love symbolizes a link between passion, unrequited love and destruction.

A mermaid's tail is depicted as large, broad and forked and of many different shades and colours.

➖Abilities 

They are well-known for their incredible beauty which humans believed surpass all mortal beings. So great is the beauty of a mermaid that it could mesmerise men and lure them into the sea. Theirs is a voice so enchanting that it could hypnotize whoever hears it, distracting them from their work.

Mermaids also possess other powers: Legends claim that their emotions could influence the weather and manipulate the sea. Sailors feared angering mermaids as they could summon terrible storms and hurricanes capable of destroying entire ships and even coastal towns. 

👉Samith Dhananjan✍