How did the belief in mermaids come about?

With most of our blue planet covered by water, it's little wonder that, centuries ago, the oceans were believed to hide mysterious creatures including sea serpents and mermaids. read more

Belief is an interesting thing, Mermen and mermaids are too, at least to me. There is a whole pantheon of existing water deities with differing traits and abilities within mythology. Some folks say the ‘one’ god they believe in, is THE one. Others say the ‘ONES’ they believe in deserve their devotion and dedication. read more

A temple in Fukuoka, Japan, is said to house the remains of a mermaid that washed ashore in 1222. Its bones were preserved at the behest of a priest who believed the creature had come from the legendary palace of a dragon god at the bottom of the ocean. read more

Many Cornish people, particularly sailors, have claimed to have seen or heard a mermaid and belief in them was once widespread. There are many stories of mermaids seen on the rocks and of mermaids sitting weeping and wailing on the shore. The mermaids in Cornish stories possess many of the features of mermaids the world over. read more