Mermaid Myths - Legends of Mermaids and Sirens

From all four corners of the sea, countless of stories have been made about sirens and mermaids. Here you can find which of those myths are most popular and what impact they had on our culture, history and modern society.

Mythology of Mermaids and Sirens

The elusive and powerful mermaids always were viewed as a part of many local myths and legends all around the world. Here you can find out how they fueled the imagination of the people and strike the fear into the minds of the countless sailors.

Myths of Melusine Mermaid

Melusina Mermaid represents one of the most famous European myths of mermaids. Being mostly popular in the France and surrounding countries, Melusina showcased all the most common traits of that are part of modern view of mermaids – incredible beauty, ability for love and relationships, and incredible jealousy and rage when promises to her are broken.

Legend of Sirena of Guam

Sirena of Guam is one of the most popular mermaid myths of the Pacific. Incorporating many aspects of the of the famous folklore tales that can be found in Europe, Sirena’s story of becoming mermaid is even today remembered and celebrated in her home of Guam and the rest of Pacific.

Myth of Water Spirit Mami Wata

Mami Wata represents one of the most celebrated and feared African goddesses which often appears to their followers and unsuspecting victims in the guise of incredibly beautiful mermaid. Here you can find out more about this fascinating legendary African deity, whose influence reached all over the North, Central and South America.

Myth of Iara Mermaid

Iara represents one of the most feared mermaids the lives in the area of the Brazilian Amazonia. Created from merging local myths of snake spirits and African deity MamiWata, Iara is described as the personification of beauty, desire and danger. Here you can find out why this mythical creature even today induces fear into local population of Brazil.

Selkie Legends

Selkies live as seals in the sea, but on land they shed their skin to become human. The legend about these seal people is very similar to those of swan maidens. Find out more about selkie legends and origins.

Nymph Legends

The Nymphs are female creatures from Greek mythology. They are connected with nature, very beautiful and, in some of the stories daughters of gods. They appear in Greek and Latin myths. There are many types of nymphs. Water nymphs are sometimes considered as mermaids.

Oshun

Oshun is one of the many mythical creatures from African stories and myths, represented as a spirit or deity that reflects one of the manifestations of God. Oshun is one of the most popular orishas.

Asherah

Asherah is a female deity from Semitic mythologies. She is a mother goddess, and appears in many Hebrew, Akkadian and Hittite myths as a consort of gods and mother of 70 other gods.

Bunyip

Bunyip is a mythological creature from aboriginal stories in Australia. It is large, strong, lives in water and prays on people and other animals. Those stories were first recorded in the 19th century.

Enki

Enki is a deity from Akkadian and Babylonian mythologies and stories. He is a god of water, wisdom, magic, and incarnations whose cult had a large influence over Mesopotamia nearby territories.

Sobek

Sobek was one of many deities in ancient Egypt. His primary role was to be the protector of people and was portrayed with the crocodile head instead of human.

Amphitrite

Amphitrite was a female deity in Greek mythology. She was a wife of Poseidon and along with him, she ruled as a sea goddess. Amphitrite was always shown riding a chariot with Poseidon.

Sea Serpent

Sea serpent is a large, snake-like mythical creature that, according to the stories dwell in the oceans and seas. It appears in Norse, Mediterranean and Near East myths and stories. There are many false reports of people finding it.

Gorgon

Gorgon is a female creature from Greek mythology. One of common descriptions of Gorgons represents them as three sisters with snakes instead of hair that can turn those who beheld them to stone. One of sisters is well-known Medusa.