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!]

Come Japanese Sea Pearl Shell Carving Mermaid PendantsCome Japanese Sea Pearl Shell Carving Mermaid Pendants Vintage Ceramic Fish Soap Dish 1960's Bath Room Decor Vintage Ceramic Fish Soap Dish 1960's Bath Room Decor
Sea Beauty Resin Mermaid Nautical Ocean Beach MysticalSea Beauty Resin Mermaid Nautical Ocean Beach Mystical Mermaid Fantasy Diving Beauty Hand Mirror Statue FigureMermaid Fantasy Diving Beauty Hand Mirror Statue Figure
Beautiful Mermaid Laser Etched Wine Glass-Set of 2Beautiful Mermaid Laser Etched Wine Glass-Set of 2 1951 Mermaid Blond Uses O-Cel-O Sponges Glass Wax Ad1951 Mermaid Blond Uses O-Cel-O Sponges Glass Wax Ad
Vintage Bradley Mermaid figurine Wall Plaque mintVintage Bradley Mermaid figurine Wall Plaque mint Mermaid Oysters Chesapeake Bay Ocean Nautical AdvertiseMermaid Oysters Chesapeake Bay Ocean Nautical Advertise
Syrens of the Sea "Courtney" Mermaid FigurineSyrens of the Sea "Courtney" Mermaid Figurine New Guardian Angel Desk Clock & Figurine Set 2 Angels New Guardian Angel Desk Clock & Figurine Set 2 Angels
Astonishing black agate carved mermaid amulet pendantAstonishing black agate carved mermaid amulet pendant Handmade Carved ZiPao jade Amulet Mermaids Pendant,GemHandmade Carved ZiPao jade Amulet Mermaids Pendant,Gem
Mermaid Magnet .Mystical Nymph Of The Water!Mermaid Magnet .Mystical Nymph Of The Water! Vintage Fish by Deforest of California Nautical Bath Vintage Fish by Deforest of California Nautical Bath
2 Mermaid Magnets~Can Be Personalized~Do​Lph in~2 Mermaid Magnets~Can Be Personalized~Do​Lph in~  Ayers Mermaids Hair Tonic Vintage Metal Sign v-289 Ayers Mermaids Hair Tonic Vintage Metal Sign v-289
Rare zi-pao Jade Mermaids Amulet Jewelry PendantRare zi-pao Jade Mermaids Amulet Jewelry Pendant Vintage Fish Pair Wall Plaque Miller Studio ChalkwareVintage Fish Pair Wall Plaque Miller Studio Chalkware
Hot Sell! Charming 2 Jade ~Mermaid~ Amulet PendantHot Sell! Charming 2 Jade ~Mermaid~ Amulet Pendant $8.99 Syrens of the Sea "Kymberly & Kelly" Mermaid FigurineSyrens of the Sea "Kymberly & Kelly" Mermaid Figurine
Tibet natural jade mermaid carved talismans pendantTibet natural jade mermaid carved talismans pendant $8.99 Vintage Norcrest Mermaid & Fish Plaque Set P697 JapanVintage Norcrest Mermaid & Fish Plaque Set P697 Japan
Charming Handmade Carved India Agate Pendant,CrystalCharming Handmade Carved India Agate Pendant,Crystal 48" Sitting Sunning Mermaid Statue Iron Rust Finish48" Sitting Sunning Mermaid Statue Iron Rust Finish
Pair Vintage Smiling Mermaid Plaster Corbels/SconcesPair Vintage Smiling Mermaid Plaster Corbels/Sconces Mermaid -Neptune'S Princess Holding Pearl Statue/FigureMermaid -Neptune'S Princess Holding Pearl Statue/Figure
Vtg "California Creations By Bradley" Fish PairVtg "California Creations By Bradley" Fish Pair 3 Bubbles Only-Deforest of California Wall Fish Mermaid3 Bubbles Only-Deforest of California Wall Fish Mermaid
Giant Federal Mermaid Tourists D.C. Bette Midler PrintGiant Federal Mermaid Tourists D.C. Bette Midler Print Brown Haired Mermaid ~ Handmade Scrabble Tile PendantBrown Haired Mermaid ~ Handmade Scrabble Tile Pendant
Vintage Lrg Ceramic Mermaid with Mirror wall Plaque Vintage Lrg Ceramic Mermaid with Mirror wall Plaque Sitting Mermaid 19" Antique Rust Finish Cast IronSitting Mermaid 19" Antique Rust Finish Cast Iron
1951 Sexy Mermaid Towel Fish Cone color Towels Ad1951 Sexy Mermaid Towel Fish Cone color Towels Ad Rw2 Mermaid Wall Clock surreal gothic fairy art FantasyRw2 Mermaid Wall Clock surreal gothic fairy art Fantasy
Vintage Nude Bronze / Copper Mermaid Off A PaperweightVintage Nude Bronze / Copper Mermaid Off A Paperweight 2 Cast Iron Mermaid Hooks Antique Blue Unique2 Cast Iron Mermaid Hooks Antique Blue Unique
New Glitter Critter Mermaid Fish Wall Art Decor PlaqueNew Glitter Critter Mermaid Fish Wall Art Decor Plaque Pretty Mermaid Fantasy Thalassa Pc Topper Statue FigurePretty Mermaid Fantasy Thalassa Pc Topper Statue Figure
New Pink Mermaid With 4 Dolphins Night Light MermaidsNew Pink Mermaid With 4 Dolphins Night Light Mermaids Sleeping Dreaming Mermaid Figurine Fish Fishes MermaidsSleeping Dreaming Mermaid Figurine Fish Fishes Mermaids
Laughing Lola Mermaid Tlite Candle Holder Diane ArtwareLaughing Lola Mermaid Tlite Candle Holder Diane Artware Fine Green Agate Mermaid Amulet PendantFine Green Agate Mermaid Amulet Pendant
Vintage Lefton Bradley Enesco Mermaid figurine Mint Vintage Lefton Bradley Enesco Mermaid figurine Mint Large Mermaid Cove Seaside Inn Thermometer NauticalLarge Mermaid Cove Seaside Inn Thermometer Nautical
pig babe mug coffee espresso porky 3D realistic piggypig babe mug coffee espresso porky 3D realistic piggy Mermaid Fantasy Dagger Wicca ~ Knife ~ Pagan~Witchcraf​tMermaid Fantasy Dagger Wicca ~ Knife ~ Pagan~Witchcraf​t $0.99
Cast Iron Mermaid Swing Welcome Sign Marine CottageCast Iron Mermaid Swing Welcome Sign Marine Cottage $420 nude Lalique Mermaid Crystal Nymph water fairy Nib$420 nude Lalique Mermaid Crystal Nymph water fairy Nib
Astonishing agate carved mermaid amulet pendantAstonishing agate carved mermaid amulet pendant Rackham's Unusual Alpine Dawn-Impression​ist !Rackham's Unusual Alpine Dawn-Impression​ist !
Click to see more Mermaids items at ebay.com
Prices current as of last update, 03/14/10 6:15pm.

Home Contact Resources Exchange Links eBay