The statue of The Little Mermaid, a monument to Hans Christian Andersen, in Copenhagen harbour.A mermaid looks up at the legs of a swimmer; 1921 cartoonMadison, the mermaid from the movie Splash.Coat of Arms of Warsaw
Discover great deals on the many hard to find items available only on eBay!

Mermaids

A mermaid (from mere in the obsolete sense 'sea' + maid(en)) is a legendary aquatic creature with the head and torso of human female and the tail of a fish. The male version of a mermaid is called a merman. Various cultures throughout the world have similar figures. more...

HomeHome
Animation ArtAnimation Art
Animation CharactersAnimation Characters
ArcadeArcade
Comics Comics
Disneyana Disneyana
Fantasy, Mythical & MagicFantasy, Mythical & Magic
DragonsDragons
Elves, Gnomes, PixiesElves, Gnomes, Pixies
FairiesFairies
GargoylesGargoyles
Harry PotterHarry Potter
Lord of the RingsLord of the Rings
MagicMagic
MermaidsMermaids
Other ItemsOther Items
PegasusPegasus
SkullsSkulls
UnicornsUnicorns
WizardsWizards
Japanese, AnimeJapanese, Anime
JukeboxesJukeboxes
Knives, Swords & Blades Knives, Swords & Blades
PinballPinball
Sci-Fi AutographsSci-Fi Autographs
Science Fiction Science Fiction
Wholesale Lots Wholesale Lots

The Sirens of Greek mythology are sometimes portrayed in later folklore ; in fact in some languages the name sirena is used interchangeably for both creatures. Other related types of mythical or legendary creature are water fairies (e.g. various water nymphs) and selkies.

Legend and myth

Tales of mermaids are nearly universal. The first known mermaid stories appeared in Assyria, ca. 1000 BCE. Atargatis, the mother of Assyrian queen Semiramis, was a goddess who loved a mortal shepherd and in the process killed him. Ashamed, she jumped into a lake to take the form of a fish, but the waters would not conceal her divine nature. Thereafter, she took the form of a mermaid - human above the waist, fish below, though the earliest representations of Atargatis showed her as being a fish with a human head and legs, similar to the Babylonian Ea. The Greeks recognized Atargatis under the name Derketo, where she was often conflated with Aphrodite.

Lucian of Samosata in Syria (2nd century CE) in De Dea Syria ("Concerning the Syrian Goddess") wrote of the Syrian temples he had visited:

"Among them - Now that is the traditional story among them concerning the temple. But other men swear that Semiramis of Babylonia, whose deeds are many in Asia, also founded this site, and not for Hera Atargatis but for her own Mother, whose name was Derketo"
"I saw the likeness of Derketo in Phoenicia, a strange marvel. It is woman for half its length, but the other half, from thighs to feet, stretched out in a fish's tail. But the image in the Holy City is entirely a woman, and the grounds for their account are not very clear. They consider fishes to be sacred, and they never eat them; and though they eat all other fowls, they do not eat the dove, for she is holy so they believe. And these things are done, they believe, because of Derketo and Semiramis, the first because Derketo has the shape of a fish, and the other because ultimately Semiramis turned into a dove. Well, I may grant that the temple was a work of Semiramis perhaps; but that it belongs to Derketo I do not believe in any way. For among the Egyptians, some people do not eat fish, and that is not done to honor Derketo." (Part 2:ch14)

Among the Neo-Taíno nations of the Caribbean the mermaid is called Aycayía she of the beautiful voice . Her attributes relate to the goddess Jagua, and the hibiscus flower of the majagua tree Hibiscus tiliaceous . Examples from other cultures are the Mami Wata of West Africa, the Jengu of Cameroon, the Merrow of Ireland and Scotland, and the Greek Oceanids, Nereids, and Naiads. One freshwater mermaid-like creature from European folklore is Melusine, who is sometimes depicted with two fish tails, and other times with the lower body of a serpent. It is said in Japan that eating the flesh of a mermaid can grant unaging immortality. In some European legends mermaids are said to grant wishes.

Read more at Wikipedia.org


[List your site here Free!]


		Mermaid Langelinie Cove Wall Sculpture Statue
		Mermaid Langelinie Cove Wall Sculpture Statue 
		Mermaid “Sea Nymph” Poker Chip Pendant - Charm Nautical Altered Art
		Mermaid “Sea Nymph” Poker Chip Pendant - Charm Nautical Altered Art

		Mermaid - A Mariner'S Dream - Token 1975 B5
		Mermaid - A Mariner'S Dream - Token 1975 B5 
		New Mermaid Wall Art Beach Shabby Cottage Decor
		New Mermaid Wall Art Beach Shabby Cottage Decor

		Mermaid & Treasure Chest Beautiful old Coin / TokenB5
		Mermaid & Treasure Chest Beautiful old Coin / TokenB5 
		Stunning Baroque Inspired Filagre Mermaids Ooak Glass Casket Jewelry Box
		Stunning Baroque Inspired Filagre Mermaids Ooak Glass Casket Jewelry Box

		Beautiful Young Mermaid Golliwog Image Mabel Lucie Attwell Postcard Print
		Beautiful Young Mermaid Golliwog Image Mabel Lucie Attwell Postcard Print 
		12" Solid Cast Iron, Antiqued, Sea Green, Mermaid, Shelf Sitter, Nautical Decor
		12" Solid Cast Iron, Antiqued, Sea Green, Mermaid, Shelf Sitter, Nautical Decor

		Mermaids Sea-Nymphs, a beautiful token, Nice B5
		Mermaids Sea-Nymphs, a beautiful token, Nice B5 
		Victorian Mermaid Porcelain Cameo Solid Bronze Pendant
		Victorian Mermaid Porcelain Cameo Solid Bronze Pendant

		Mermaids, set of 3 Beautiful tokens from 1983B5
		Mermaids, set of 3 Beautiful tokens from 1983B5 
		Mermaid beautiful treasure chest collectible B5
		Mermaid beautiful treasure chest collectible B5

		MeXiCaN TiN "RaiNboW" MeRmaiD
		MeXiCaN TiN "RaiNboW" MeRmaiD 
		4 Beautiful Mermaid Tokens, very pretty itemsB5
		4 Beautiful Mermaid Tokens, very pretty itemsB5

		Mother Mermaid Holding Baby "Mermom" Art sculpture by Artist Judie Bomberger
		Mother Mermaid Holding Baby "Mermom" Art sculpture by Artist Judie Bomberger 
		Mint Vintage Spaghetti Trim Mermaid Mom Babies Bubbles Wall Plaque Hangers Set
		Mint Vintage Spaghetti Trim Mermaid Mom Babies Bubbles Wall Plaque Hangers Set

		Mermaids Find Treasure Chest,Jewels,M​Irro r Postcard
		Mermaids Find Treasure Chest,Jewels,M​Irro r Postcard 
		Mermaid And Baby Poker Chip Pendant - Charm Altered Art
		Mermaid And Baby Poker Chip Pendant - Charm Altered Art

		Creatures of the Imagination "Mermaid" Token B5
		Creatures of the Imagination "Mermaid" Token B5 
		Mermaid Nice Mardi Gras Collectible 1999B5
		Mermaid Nice Mardi Gras Collectible 1999B5

		Merman Swimming Poker Chip Pendant - Charm Altered Art
		Merman Swimming Poker Chip Pendant - Charm Altered Art 
		Pewter Mermaid Ring Holder
		Pewter Mermaid Ring Holder

		Disney's The Little Mermaid old Collectible token 1969B5
		Disney's The Little Mermaid old Collectible token 1969B5 
		"A Mariners Dream" Beautiful Mermaid Token g B5
		"A Mariners Dream" Beautiful Mermaid Token g B5

		Mermaid - Merlin - Viking - Mardi Gras Doubloon Token 1999
		Mermaid - Merlin - Viking - Mardi Gras Doubloon Token 1999

		Lovely Mermaid Siren, Blue Goldstone & White Shell Ear Cuff/Earcuff *New*
		Lovely Mermaid Siren, Blue Goldstone & White Shell Ear Cuff/Earcuff *New* 
		Mermaid very Beautiful Collectible token dated 1973B5
		Mermaid very Beautiful Collectible token dated 1973B5

		Mermaid On Rock Poker Chip Pendant - Charm Altered Art
		Mermaid On Rock Poker Chip Pendant - Charm Altered Art 
		Set of 2 18th Century European Replica Dual Mermaids Home Garden Wall Pediments 
		Set of 2 18th Century European Replica Dual Mermaids Home Garden Wall Pediments

		New, Cast Iron, Sitting Mermaid, Metalware, Bath, Bar, Nautical Decor, Boats
		New, Cast Iron, Sitting Mermaid, Metalware, Bath, Bar, Nautical Decor, Boats 
		4, Metal Items, 3 Mermaids, One Seahorse, Special Price, Nautical Decor, Bath
		4, Metal Items, 3 Mermaids, One Seahorse, Special Price, Nautical Decor, Bath

		Amazingly Gorgeous Mermaids House Votive Tealight Candleholder Fairy House!
		Amazingly Gorgeous Mermaids House Votive Tealight Candleholder Fairy House! 
		Flights of Fantasy ~ 1993 Mermaid - Peter Pan Token
		Flights of Fantasy ~ 1993 Mermaid - Peter Pan Token

		Mermaid collection of 3 Beautiful Tokens B5
		Mermaid collection of 3 Beautiful Tokens B5 
		Mermaid Beautiful old Sea Nymph Collectible Coin L@K B5
		Mermaid Beautiful old Sea Nymph Collectible Coin L@K B5

		"Ione" Mermaid Art Sculpture by Artist Judie Bomberger
		"Ione" Mermaid Art Sculpture by Artist Judie Bomberger 
		Rare Mint Freeman Mcfarlin Pottery Retro Aqua 1950 Fish Wall Plaque Set Mermaids
		Rare Mint Freeman Mcfarlin Pottery Retro Aqua 1950 Fish Wall Plaque Set Mermaids

		Adorable Vintage 1950'S California Ceramic Pink & Gold Figural Wall Fish Plaque
		Adorable Vintage 1950'S California Ceramic Pink & Gold Figural Wall Fish Plaque 
		Stain Glass Style "Mermaid" Night Light
		Stain Glass Style "Mermaid" Night Light

		Mermaid On Seahorse Sculpture by Artist Judie Bomberger
		Mermaid On Seahorse Sculpture by Artist Judie Bomberger 
		Adorable Mermaid Mirror for Little Girls Room Hanging Ribbon Excellent Condition
		Adorable Mermaid Mirror for Little Girls Room Hanging Ribbon Excellent Condition

		New Sparkle Seashell and Starfish Beach Ornament Set
		New Sparkle Seashell and Starfish Beach Ornament Set 
		Proteus and two Mermaids collectible TokenB5
		Proteus and two Mermaids collectible TokenB5

		Vintage 1950 Retro Lefton Fish Sea Horse Ceramic Bubble Wall Plaque Set Mermaids
		Vintage 1950 Retro Lefton Fish Sea Horse Ceramic Bubble Wall Plaque Set Mermaids 
		Stories that Children Love, Mermaid Coin L@Kb5
		Stories that Children Love, Mermaid Coin L@Kb5

		Mermaid Pendant with Fairy Dust Vial - Pewter Finish
		Mermaid Pendant with Fairy Dust Vial - Pewter Finish
Click to see more Mermaids items at ebay.com
Prices current as of last update, 05/16/12 4:45am.

Home Contact Resources Exchange Links eBay