Sprites, Naiads, and Nymphs: Exploring Water Spirits in Folklore and Mythology

Across ancient folklore and mythology, water sprites have fascinated cultures as mystical guardians of freshwater realms. Known by many names, they are most famously depicted in Greek mythology as Naiads, the nymphs of streams, rivers, and fountains. These beings were seen not just as protectors but as embodiments of the water’s life-giving and destructive powers. Often revered for their beauty and charm, they played pivotal roles in rituals, myths, and daily life, symbolizing the close bond between humanity and nature’s sacred waters. Whether inspiring ancient offerings or passing into cultural memory as alluring yet unpredictable figures, sprites like Naiads reveal humanity’s timeless respect for the elemental forces that sustain life.

Watch a related video on Naiads and their captivating myths

Understanding Water Sprites in Folklore

Water sprites are fascinating entities that have held a place in folklore for centuries. Representing the duality of water—both life-sustaining and treacherous—these supernatural spirits have captivated human imagination across cultures. Below, we’ll explore what water sprites are, how they’re perceived worldwide, and their symbolic importance in myths.

What Are Water Sprites?

Water sprites are mythical spirits tied to aquatic environments like rivers, lakes, and springs. Often described as ethereal and alluring, these beings are typically portrayed with enchanting beauty and a graceful demeanor. In folklore, sprites are often thought to be immortal, with a strong connection to nature that enables them to influence their surroundings.

While their appearances vary depending on the legend, they are generally regarded as protectors or guardians of water, embodying its purity and unpredictability. Some stories suggest that interacting with these spirits could lead to blessings, while others warn of dangerous, seductive qualities. This dual nature mirrors humanity’s experience with water itself—essential, yet capable of destruction.

For more information on their diverse appearances across myths, check this overview of water sprites and their cultural context.

Water Sprites Across Cultures

Water sprites feature prominently in stories from around the world, though they take on different names and characteristics depending on the region. Below are some notable examples:

• Slavic Folklore: Rusalkas are Slavic water spirits associated with lakes and rivers. These figures are often depicted as the restless souls of women who died near water, oscillating between protective and vengeful roles.
• Irish Mythology: Selkies, found in Celtic tales, are shapeshifting sea creatures that transform from seals into humans. These beings are deeply tied to themes of love, longing, and transformation.
• Japanese Legends: Japanese Kappas are water creatures that embody trickery and danger. Unlike the graceful sprites of Europe, Kappas are mischievous entities with a reptilian appearance.

Each iteration of water sprites reflects the broader cultural values and attitudes toward water, illustrating a universal recognition of its power. Read more about their cultural variations here: Water spirit across cultures.

Symbolic Significance of Water Sprites

Water sprites carry rich symbolic meanings that reveal humanity’s complex relationship with water. Purity is one of the most common associations, as these spirits are often linked to clear, life-giving springs and rivers. Many myths cast them as protectors of fertility, ensuring the well-being of crops, animals, and humans alike.

Interestingly, water sprites also embody danger and mystery. Their allure can lead people into treacherous waters or spiritual lessons. This tension between beauty and peril symbolizes the dual role water plays in human life as both a sustainer and destroyer.

These spirits also carry broader metaphysical implications, illustrating how water links the natural, human, and spiritual worlds. To gain a deeper understanding of their layered symbolism, visit this analysis of water sprites and cultural connections.

Water sprites, in their many forms, are a testament to the enduring connection between myth and the environment. By examining their stories, we glimpse how ancient cultures sought to explain and venerate the life-sustaining forces around them.

The Naiads: Freshwater Nymphs of Greek Mythology

In Greek mythology, Naiads are among the most enchanting figures, embodying the essence of freshwater sources. They’re more than mythical beings; they represent the vitality and perils of natural waters that sustain human existence. Their stories span across rivers, lakes, and springs, linking humanity’s relationship with freshwater to divine reverence.

Origins and Taxonomy of Naiads

The Naiads trace their lineage as daughters of the river gods, often springing from Oceanus, the primordial titan of the seas, or individual river deities. These freshwater nymphs were grouped by the specific bodies of water they governed, leading to classifications like:

• Limnades: Nymphs of lakes and marshes.
• Potameides: Guardians of rivers and streams.
• Pegaeae: Spirits of natural springs.
• Crinaeae: Protectors of small fountains and wells.
• Eleionomae: Nymphs linked to wetlands.

Their classification reflects the varied freshwater ecosystems they inhabited and safeguarded. Understanding this taxonomy helps in viewing how Greeks personified and honored their environment. Find more details on classifications here.

Roles and Attributes of Naiads

Naiads carried roles that extended beyond myth, deeply impacting how ancient Greeks viewed water. As guardians of freshwater sources, they were believed to maintain the vitality of the waters they embodied. Their attributes reflect their semi-divine nature:

• Beauty: Naiads were described as stunningly beautiful, akin to the pristine clarity of the waters they symbolized. Their allure played a significant role in mythological tales, often leading mortals and gods alike into their realm.
• Immortality: While they were ageless, their lives were intrinsically tied to the health of their waters. Polluted or dried-up sources could lead to their demise.
• Healing and Life-Giving Powers: Beyond their physical allure, the Naiads were also considered powerful healers. Their waters were thought to have restorative properties, making them essential to local rituals.

Their attributes cemented their place in both mythology and communal life. Learn more about their divine essence here.

Cultural Importance of Naiads in Greek Society

Naiads were not mere mythological entities; they held a profound place in ancient Greek life. Local communities worshiped them, attributing the health of their freshwater sources and agricultural prosperity to these nymphs. Offerings were made at their springs, particularly during droughts or agricultural festivals.

Their significance extended beyond worship into cultural expressions:

• Town Names: Many ancient Greek towns and cities were named after prominent Naiads, showcasing their esteem. For example, fountains like Arethusa were central to both myth and local identity.
• Art and Literature: Naiads were frequent subjects in sculptures and frescoes, appearing in flowing forms that mirrored the fluidity of water. Poets such as Hesiod and Homer celebrated their beauty and mystique.

Ultimately, the Naiads shaped a unique interplay between myth and ecology. Dive deeper into their cultural prominence by exploring this article.

Enchanting Yet Complex: Naiads’ Dual Nature

The Naiads’ portrayal in mythology goes beyond idealized beauty, dipping into complexity and contrast. They could be generous, offering blessings like fertility, good health, or even hero guidance. However, their connection to water’s volatility made them unpredictable and potentially dangerous.

Their duality stems from the reality of water itself: it sustains life but can also destroy it. Stories, such as those warning against wandering too close to streams at night, highlight this peril. Naiads, while enchanting, were known to drown those who polluted their waters or arrogance that led them to trespass sacred boundaries.

This dual nature made Naiads a vivid symbol of water’s dichotomy—life-giving and life-taking, depending on how humans interacted with it. For more on their intricate character, read this piece.

Each story and attribute of the Naiads weaves together threads of admiration, respect, and caution. Their enduring presence in Greek mythology underscores the ancients’ acknowledgment of water’s invaluable, yet paradoxical, role in life.

Comparison with Other Water Spirits in Greek Mythology

Greek mythology presents a rich tapestry of deities and spirits, with water nymphs forming a captivating subset. Among them, Naiads, Nereids, and Oceanids stand out as prominent water-associated figures, each with distinct roles and habitats. Understanding their differences and examining their connections to river gods, the Potamoi, sheds light on the depth of ancient Greek beliefs.

Naiads versus Nereids and Oceanids: Distinctions in Habitat, Roles, and Mythology

Naiads, Nereids, and Oceanids are collectively categorized as water nymphs, yet their habitats and mythological narratives set them apart. Each spirit is tied to a specific type of aquatic environment, reflecting the Greeks’ nuanced relationship with water.

• Habitats:
  • Naiads: These spirits presided over freshwater sources such as springs, rivers, lakes, and fountains. Their existence was deeply tied to the vitality of their waters; a dried-up spring could signify the demise of its Naiad.
  • Nereids: Dwelling in the Mediterranean Sea, Nereids represented the guardianship and fertility of the ocean. They were seen as benevolent spirits aiding sailors and calming storms, highlighting the Greeks’ reliance on the sea for trade and travel.
  • Oceanids: Oceanids hailed from the vast, primordial ocean, embodying its boundlessness and mystery. They were often considered daughters of Oceanus and Tethys, pivotal figures in Greek cosmology.
• Roles in Myths:
  • Naiads often acted as intermediaries, facilitating interactions between mortals and the divine. In some cases, they were known for their influence on fertility and well-being, especially in agricultural contexts.
  • Nereids were celebrated for aiding heroes in great adventures, such as Thetis’ role as mother to Achilles or Galatea’s enduring mythology.
  • Oceanids, like Styx, the spirit of a boundary river, symbolized deeper, universal allegories linked to the cosmos and oaths between gods.
• Cultural Depictions: Naiads were often depicted as serene yet mischievous figures connected to their local environment. On the other hand, Nereids exuded a serene elegance reflective of maritime beauty, while Oceanids presented a more ethereal, celestial quality.

Their distinctions emphasize the Greeks’ recognition of both the specific and universal significance of water. For further exploration of how nymphs like Naiads, Nereids, and Oceanids intertwine in mythology, read this comprehensive guide to water nymphs in Greek mythology.

Connections to the Potamoi: Familial and Symbolic Relationships

Naiads are frequently described as the daughters of the Potamoi, river gods who personified individual rivers in Greek mythology. These familial ties deepen the symbolic relationship between water nymphs and Greek natural landscapes.

The Potamoi themselves were divine sons of Oceanus and Tethys, positioning them as central figures within the aquatic pantheon. Each Potamos governed a specific river, granting it spiritual significance. Examples include Achelous, considered the largest river of Greece, and Scamander, closely tied to the Trojan War.

• Symbolic Connections:
  • Naiads, as progeny of the Potamoi, represented the life-giving potential of rivers. Their presence symbolized the continuation of life, fertility, and abundance.
  • In myths, these familial links often underscored the interconnectedness of waterways, reflecting how rivers nourished distant lands and unified civilizations.
  • The protective qualities of the Naiads were seen as inherited traits, passed on from their Potamoi fathers who embodied the strength and vitality of rivers.
• Cultural Worship: The Potamoi and their Naiad daughters were frequently revered in local practices. Rituals involving offerings at riverbanks sought to appease these spirits, ensuring bountiful harvests and water clarity.

These nymphs’ direct ties to living waterways mirrored the Greeks’ dependency on rivers for agriculture, trade, and sustenance. Ancient Greeks saw rivers and their spirits as both nurturing and temperamental, a delicate balance that had to be respected. Learn more about the Potamoi and their roles as river gods here.

Naiads’ link to the Potamoi and their differences from other nymphs reflect a broader narrative about the natural environment’s spiritual significance in ancient Greece. This contrast and symbolism forge a vivid picture of how water spirits encapsulate both mythology and ecology.

Water Sprites in Modern Interpretations

Water sprites continue to captivate the imagination, evolving beyond folklore and becoming symbols of nature, ecology, and spirituality in modern culture. From literature and media to environmental awareness, these ethereal spirits reflect humanity’s changing perspective on water and its importance.

Water Sprites in Literature and Popular Media

Water sprites have made their way into books, films, and TV series, often transcending their mythological roots to embody new themes. Perhaps the most iconic modern incarnation is Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid,” which was famously adapted by Disney. While Andersen’s tale features a mermaid rather than a freshwater sprite, it shares characteristics with Naiads through its focus on the relationship between water beings and humanity.

Other works, like Oscar Wilde’s “The Fisherman and His Soul,” put a darker twist on the water-spirit archetype, showcasing the complexities of love and sacrifice. In television, shows like Charmed and The Witcher depict water spirits or nymphs as mystical beings with the power to manipulate water or guide fateful events. These portrayals echo the allure and danger associated with sprites in folklore, drawing obvious parallels with Naiads’ myths.

Modern video games also feature water sprites inspired by mythology, such as the reflective nature spirits found in RPG titles. These interpretations often serve as allegories for environmental wisdom, underscoring the intrinsic link between water and life. Learn more about their role in literature and media here and here.

Environmental Symbolism and Relevance Today

In today’s age of environmental awareness, water sprites have become poignant symbols of humanity’s fragile connection to natural ecosystems. These spirits, rooted in the rivers, springs, and lakes of old folklore, serve as reminders of water’s sacredness—a resource that demands respect and careful stewardship.

Water sprites often embody water’s life-giving and purifying qualities, making them perfect metaphors for ecological balance. They symbolize the interconnectedness of human life and natural cycles, reminding us that pollution or neglect of water sources directly impacts our world. Basia Irland, an environmental artist, even uses water as a central theme in projects addressing water scarcity and ecological preservation. This creative environmental lens transforms the romanticized image of water sprites into a call for action against climate change. Dive deeper into this concept here.

Moreover, water sprites evoke a sense of reverence for the unseen forces in nature, encouraging mindfulness toward how we interact with water sources. By highlighting the dual nature of water—its ability to nurture and destroy—they compel us to develop a sustainable relationship with our environment.

The continued presence of water sprites in modern contexts bridges ancient reverence with present-day ecological consciousness. Explore this intersection of mythology and environmentalism here.

Conclusion

Water sprites, Naiads, and nymphs persist as powerful symbols in folklore, bridging humanity’s ancient reverence for water with modern environmental consciousness. Their mythology captures the dual essence of water—sustainer of life and harbinger of danger—while reflecting cultural values and ecological dependence across eras.

These spirits transcend mythology, resonating through literature, media, and contemporary discussions on conservation. They stand as reminders of our shared responsibility to protect the life-giving waters they embody.

By honoring the lessons embedded in these myths, we both celebrate the cultural heritage they represent and acknowledge the pressing need to safeguard our natural ecosystems.

Brucero Fee a la riviere postcard 2007
https://technotink.net/treasure/?post_type=product&p=10899

The Lure: NR; 2015. Drama, Fantasy, Horror. Director: Agnieszka Smoczynska; Writer: Robert Bolesto; Starring: Marta Mazurek; Kinga Preis; Michalina Olszanska; Kinga Preis; and more. IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5278832/.

By far the most enticing thrilling enchanting movie I’ve watched this year sofar (2024), definitely atop my all time favorites. The Lure, which i stumbled upon on some streaming channel I can’t remember which one … I was instantly mesmerized by this foreign horror musical drama featuring one of my favorite fae species … Mermaids. Anyone who knows me, knows I’m overly obsessed with Faerie lore. This movie embraces fae living amongst us in the 1980’s time period. Not only that, but the 80’s/alternative music atmosphere drives me home to my era, with even more excitement. The story shows the tale of mermaid sisters named “Silver” and “Golden” who become enchanted by the song of “Figs and Dates” band members partying on the beach – they make friends and become adopted by the cabaret club the band operates within. Its a twisted love story beyond the “Little Mermaid” obsession with a human and going through a twisted operation to gain human legs permanently. The sister doesn’t understand and decides to listen to her natural desires -devouring the flesh of humans in the city. While this pitstop was meant only as a stop-over for the sisters new life in America, they become trapped in Warsaw. The music, sex, horror, the gore, comedy, drama, and the art-house madness makes it a uniquely enchanting mermaid tale. Review: 5 stars out of 5 by Oisin Rhymour

Rhein maidens warn Siegfried. By Arthur Rackham. Published 1912. Copyright expired

Rhine Maidens

Common Names: Rhine Maidens, Rhine Maidens, naiads, river spirits, nymphs, sirens, nixies, nixen

Habitat: – Found in Germanic fairy lore. Attributed to the Rhine River of Germany.

Description: Rhine Maidens are water spirits known along rivers, especially the Rhine River in Germany, that protect children. The most popular myths depicts them as three sisters – water nymphs known as the “Rheintöchter” or “Rhine Daughters” most classically famous from the Richard Wagner’s opera cycle called “Der Ring des Nibelungen”. These sisters are named Woglinde, Wellgunde, and Floßhilde (Flosshilde) which were inspired by Wagner from myths and legends of the Nibelungenlied involving water nymphs, sprites, nixies, and mermaids. The tale tells that these river guardians along the Rhine were in charge of the golden treasures and through the renunciation of love had their gold stolen from them leading to world domination. Much of the myth today is influenced by Wagner’s works. They appear in the beginning and towards the end of his four opera cycle beginning in Das Rheingold and then in Götterdämmerung.

These German Nixen (Nixies) or Water Sprites were known to appear very innocent but with a range of sophisticated emotions. They are seductive, elusive, flirty, and enchanting. No one seems to know of their origin. Unlike much of the mythos they appear in, they do not originate from the Prose Edda (Iceland’s source for Norse Mythology), but rather from much older European based folklore. Sometimes they are described with siren and selchie traits, similarities to mermaids and naiads, but otherwise as shape-shifting seductive wise women found bathing and basking along the Rhine River or the Danube River nude. Much drama and trickery is mixed in the tales surrounding their stories which led to the creation of the modern day opera. Some say their existence was influenced by the German legend of Loreli – the lovelorn maiden who drowns herself in a river and becomes a siren luring fishermen to their deaths. Other similarities to Greek myths of the nymphs and naiads. Parallels of the Rhinemaidens of Das Rheingold to the Hesperides myth are extraordinary relating to three females guarding a golden treasure that ends up stolen. Most attribute them as daughters of the Rhine River. In the story telling they are however not destroyed by the fires at the end of Götterdämmerung but rather just swim away joyously in the river with their found treasure. They are said to have the good nature of the Oceanids (being helpful) and the austerity of the daughters of Ægir (willing to drown people). A mystical ring that belongs to the treasure was supposedly imbued with the powers to allow its wearer the ability to rule the world – but was cursed until the stolen gold was returned to the Rhine’s Maidens. In 1933 they were depicted on a postage stamp designed by Alois Kolb for use in the Third Reich. From the 19th-20th century they have been a highlight in Opera, theater, and the arts.

Folklore/Mythology:

Sightings:

For more German Faeries, visit our German Faeries page.

Article by Leaf McGowan, Thomas Baurley, Technogypsie Productions: http://www.technogypsie.com
© 2013 All Rights Reserved. If you enjoy this article, please consider treating the author to a drink or meal, and/or donating to ensure that this article stays preserved on the internet. You can do this by going to our Donation Page or sending the treat to the author at [email protected].

Rhine’s fair children, bewailing their lost gold, weep. Arthur Rackham, from The Rhinegold & the Valkyrie, by Richard Wagner, London, 1910

Bibliography/Recommended Reading:

• Terreno, Bella 2006-2008 “Mystical Myth: Germanic Faeries”. Website referenced 1/25/2014 at http://www.bellaterreno.com/art/german/germanfairies.aspx.
• Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia undated “The Rhine Maidens”. Website referenced 1/20/14 at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhinemaidens.

“Though gaily ye may laugh, In grief ye shall be left, For, mocking maids, this ring Ye ask shall never be yours.” (Art by Arthur Rackham – from ‘Siegfried & The Twilight Of The Gods’ by Richard Wagner, London, 1911).

You know there has to be something incredible about to be revealed when after thousands of years of myth and legend, all of the sudden the Government has to address fairy tales and telling people that such things “PROBABLY” do not exist … ~ Leaf McGowan
[cross post via WordPress PressThis ]
http://news.yahoo.com/no-mermaids-us-government-212628320.html

AFP – 3 hrs ago

File photo of Hannah the Mermaid … The show “paints a wildly convincing picture of the existence of mermaids, what they may look like, and why they’ve stayed hidden… until now,” a Discovery Channel press release says.

Conversely, the US government declaration offered no conclusive proof to deny the existence of mermaids.

The statement comes after another government agency, this time the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), declared there was no conclusive evidence for the existence of zombies.

The CDC had published instructional materials on how to survive a “zombie apocalypse,” in what the agency now calls “a tongue in cheek campaign to engage new audiences with messages of preparedness messages.”

The campaign was followed by a series of cannibalistic attacks in North America.

People dressed as zombies march …

In one such attack on May 26, a 31-year-old Miami man stripped naked and chewed off most of a homeless man’s face.
The Twittersphere was suddenly alive with people talking about the real and present danger of a zombie apocalypse.
The CDC was quick to respond to allegations of corpses rising from the dead to eat the living.
(more…)

Cabin in the Woods ~ (Rated R: 2012)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1259521/ * Director: Drew Goddard. * Written by Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard. * Starring: Kristen Connolly as Dana; Chris Hemsworth as Curt; Anna Hutchison as Jules; Fran Kranz as Marty; Jesse Williams as Holden; Richard Jenkins as Sitterson; Bradley Whitford as Hadley; Brian White as Truman and many others.

Within the last several years Hollywood and the film industry has been evolving and expanding the classical monster tale, as we watched through the ages meandering from Frankenstein, the Mummy, the Werewolf, and Count Dracula towards a whole different species of Werewolves, vampires, and zombies. Then came the serial killers obsessed with pain, torture, maiming, and realistic grotesque murder sprees self styled after Ted Bundy, Fred West, or Jeffrey Dalmer only to exaggerate to supernatural tales of Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Now a new sense of horror, going back to supernatural beliefs on Witches, Druids, Spirits, and creatures from the races of Darker Faeries come crawling out from their sidhe with vicious mermaids and mer-men, leprechauns, gremlins, goblins, orcs, giants, and titans. The Old God/desses are being brought back to life. What one would imagine would be a typical hack n’ slash film by the title of “Cabin in the Woods” turned to a conspiracy theorie, Dark ancient Deities tale of human sacrifice at a high corporate level ploy to satiate the “ancient ones”. None other than a tale weaved by Buffy’s Joss Whedon to give that twisted plot some fantastical depth. These five friends go on vacation to a remote cabin in the woods, only to find them trapped and manipulated in a pseudo-realm where they are lined up to voluntarily sacrifice themselves to the dark spirits.

The five college-aged kids head off to a friend’s cabin in the woods and lose all communication with the outside world. During “party time” and unwinding, the cellar door mysteriously flips open, only to involved a truth or “dare” to investigate the darkness. Within is a treasure trove of artifacts, each with a secret and a beast to unleash. Meanwhile they are monitored by a high tech secret lab where the white coats bet on which creature they will face – Pinhead, the Mer-man, flesh eating zombies, a ghoul, or a prehistoric monster of dinosaur proportions. Dana reads from the diary of an imbred hillybilly family thereby awakening the now family of deadly murderous zombies. But this is not the only laboratory experiment of what supernatural creatures will be unleashed, as the lab coats are monitoring similar setups from around the world, hopeful of a successful stint with the cabin. As each of the college kids get knocked off, the ploy backfires as the “virgin” saved for the last, teamed up with the brainy pot-head discover the conspiracy and find their way down into depths uncovering an ancient temple lair holding back the ancient Titans from destroying the Earth – satiated by an annual sacrifice that was planned. None of the scenarios work out for the guardians and literally “all hell breaks loose” as magical and supernatural beings, creatures, and monsters look at the lab coats and armed forces as a smorgasboard brunch. The Director of the agency, played by Sigourney Weaver, tells them the truth that the ritual involving sacrifice of the Whore (Jules), the Athlete (Curt), the Scholar (Holden), the Fool (Marty), and the Virgin (Dana) was to appease the “Ancient Ones” who lived beneath the facility. They had to die in archetypical order until the virgin remained. Werewolves, mer-creatures, unicorns, ghouls, zombies, and a giant serpent take their wraith. The Ancient ones rise to destroy the facility and the cabin. While an element of “kitch” and whacky elements loomed over the film, the special effects and deep mythical supernatural plot humored and entertained me. [Rating:4] Rating of four stars out of five. ~ Reviewed by Leaf McGowan.

Photos are copyrighted and cannot be reproduced without permission of authors Tom Baurley or Leaf McGowan. Photos can be purchased via Technogypsie.com at Technogypsie Photography Services for nominal use fees. Restaurants, Businesses, Bands, Performances, Venues, and Reviews can request a re-review if they do not like the current review or would like to have a another review done. If you are a business, performer, musician, band, venue, or entity that would like to be reviewed, you can also request one (however, travel costs, cost of service (i.e. meal or event ticket) and lodging may be required if area is out of reviewer’s base location at time of request).

Ondine (PG-13: 2010)
* Rated: 5 stars out of 5 * Starring: Colin Farrell … Syracuse; Alicja Bachleda … Ondine; Dervla Kirwan … Maura; Alison Barry … Annie; Marion O’Dwyer … Nurse – Dialysis; Tony Curran … Alex; and many more. * Director: Neil Jordan * http://www.ondinefilm.com/ *
A modern Irish lyrical faerie tale about a fisherman named Syracuse who pulls up a stunning woman in his net called “Ondine”. Her name means “She who came from the sea” and begins to believe his daughter’s theory that Ondine is a selchie or mermaid, a seal woman who in Celtic myth is believed to be able to become human by taking off her seal coat in order to pursue love with a human. They begin to treat Ondine like she is a selchie as many oddities in the situation, the events, and the tale is mystical and tragic. Whenever Ondine is aboard the fishing vessel and sings her siren song, his nets are filled with bounty. It becomes a torrid love affair that turns out to have an even crazier origin of truth. Beautifully woven tale embedded in myth. Brought tears to my eyes and edge of your seat excitement. Why can’t I pull up a beautiful selchie like that in my fishing nets? Amazing plot, storyline, and cinematography.
 

Mermaids and Mermen

A rich realm of characters in faerie lore, mermaids, and mermen have consumed popular myth through the ages, including fantasy, entertainment, and imagery. Mermaids (and the male form “Mermen”) are a race of Faerie that consist of human-like mythological aquatic creatures that are depicted with a human head and torso attached to the tail of a fish. They are related to sirens, selchies, naiads,  and sea nymphs.

Their names come from the Old English root “Mere” for “Sea” and “maid” for “woman”. Caribbean tales of mermaids appear as the Aycayia – with attributes similar to the Goddess Jagua and the hibiscus flower of the majagua tree. Voodoo lore speaks of the Lwa La Sirene, the lwa of wealth and beauty, and the Orisha Yemaya. Other names are “Mami Wata” (Africa), “Jengu” (Cameroon), “Merrow” (Ireland/Scotland), “Rusalkas” (Russia/Ukraine), “Iara” (Brazil), “Oceanids, Nereids, Naiads” (Greek), “Sirena or Siyokoy” (Philippines).

In folktales, mermaids were similar to sirens in that they often sang to enchant passersby, distracting them and causing them to walk off the deck of their ships and ground their ships. Some horror tales depict mermaids squeezing the life out of drowning men or carrying them down to their underwater realms, thereby drowning the men by either not realizing humans can’t breathe water or drowning them out of spite.

The first mention in the lore of Mermaids appeared around 1,000 B.C.E. in Assyria with the story of the Goddess Atargatis, who accidentally killed her shepherd lover. To bring him back, she jumped into a lake and transformed into a fish, but the waters wouldn’t conceal her divine beauty, thereby forcing her into the form of a ‘mermaid’ – human above the waist, fish below the waist.

Around 546 B.C.E., the Milesian philosopher Anaximander stated that mankind came from an aquatic species and, thereby, from merfolk. Greek legend places Alexander the Great’s sister Thessalonike as a mermaid upon her death. 2nd century C.E. Lucian of Samosata wrote about mermaids in the Syrian temples – notably Derketo and Hera Atargatis. Many Arabian Nights tales talk of Sea People such as Djullanar the sea-Girl or Abdullah the Merman, who can breathe water, interbreed with humans and create aquatic half-breeds. In the British Isles and Ireland, there are many tales of Mermaids and Mermen in local lore and legend – mainly from Fishermen (1800s).

Seeing them was considered an unlucky omen – foretelling disaster or provoking it. Some were described as monsters as large as 2,000 feet in size. It is believed that Mermaids can swim up rivers to freshwater lakes and that they often appear as drowned victims when presenting themselves to humans they are attracted to. Some lore portrays merfolk as helpful, teaching humankind cures for diseases.

Claims of sightings range from British Columbia to Ireland to Java. In the 19th century, P.T. Barnum displayed the “Fiji Mermaid” in his taxidermy exhibit, which was proven to be a hoax. There is a rare congenital disorder called the “Mermaid Syndrome,” where a child is born with his/her legs fused together combined with reduced genitalia that occurs as often as conjoined twins (1 out of 100,000 births and usually fatal due to kidney and bladder complications).

Today, many movies feature “mermaids,” from Aquaman and Pirates of the Caribbean to The Little Mermaid.  

Related to Naiads and Undines.

More information:
Mermaids on the web: http://www.isidore-of-seville.com/mermaids/
Women of the Deep: A Light History of the Mermaid: http://members.cox.net/mermaid31/merhist.htm

Movies Featuring Mermaids:

Disney’s Animated Classic: The Little Mermaid
Throughout film and cartoons, the mythos of the mermaid has enchanted us all, including the popular character “Arial”, aka “The Little Mermaid”.

The Lure (NR: 2015) – A tale of two mermaid sisters in the 1980’s venturing into Warsaw, joining a band called “The Lure” with one falling in love with a human and ready to give up her tail for legs, and the other creating a buffet of humans in the city.

Habitats: Mermaid Cove at Carrick-A-Rede in Antrim, Northern Ireland:

Mermaid Cove:

Mermaid Cove in Disneyland, California: