Perhaps ancient seafarers really did see some kind of part-human, part-fish creature, now extinct. He went to Ran and got her net."[20]. 9. The Sirens were sea-nymphs who had the power to charm by their song all who heard them, so that the unhappy mariners were irresistibly impelled to cast themselves into the sea to their destruction. Here are their names: Himinglva (Heaven-bright) Dufa (Dip) Blodughadda (Blood-haired) Hefring (Lifting) Mermaids are sometimes associated with perilous events such as floods, storms, shipwrecks, and drownings. One such sighting occurred off the coast of Norway, near the Lofoten archipelago. Although there were many different interpretations of the mermaid myths, one of the most constant factors is simply the duality of the nature of the mermaid and the situations that these creatures tend to appear in. While most of them were malicious, some were completely harmless. These appear to cradle their young much as a human would carry a baby. Read more. They appear in the form of beautiful fish-women or mermaids. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Nixie - Mythical Creatures Guide Only one way to find out. The types of marine animals that people didnt even know existed hundreds of years ago are now found under the sea. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Your element may be caring for others, performing, walking dogs, organizing, racing, teaching, or something else. But the face of an animal and the face of a human couldnt be more different. Unsurprisingly, Atargatis story was a source of inspiration for many cultures. Though it is tempting to put a label on the intentions of these creatures, it appears that many mermaids have free will and are not motivated by primal desires to hurt or help. Here are some mermaid meanings and symbols and what they could mean in your life: While some mermaids and water spirits are portrayed as monstrous, the more commonly shared impression is that theyre irresistibly beautiful. In Norse mythology, Thor once dressed as a woman. Cecaelia Cecaelia or an octopus person, is a composite mythical being, appearing occasionally in art, literature, and multimedia; combining the head, arms and torso of a woman (more rarely a man) and, from the lower torso down, the tentacles of an octopus or squid as a form of mermaid or sea demon. Formatted for display. In addition, his body was slimy as it was covered in algae and muck. Einarsson (2004:149). Mermaid Mythology as seen by John Waterhouse The evil-intentioned mermaid is not the only way these creatures were seen as dangerous. Credit: John William Waterhouse, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0. In this article, we explore the similarities and differences between these enchanting creatures.