Mermaids
By: Kendall Varitek
What are they?
Evidence
Christopher Columbus wrote in his ship's journal these words, "They were not as beautiful as they are painted, although to some extent they have a human appearance in the face."
William Shakespeare wrote a piece of literature called Midsummer Night's Dream between 1590-1594. He spoke of hearing the voice of a mermaid riding on a dolphin's back. His words said, " Her singing was so sweet and pure that the rough sea grew calm and stars sot madly about the sky on hearing the sea-girls song."
The book Incredible Mysteries and Legends of The Sea by Edward Snow tells many stories of mermaids. A young boy killed by a mermaid is described in one tale. Another story tells about an encounter with a mermaid.
News reports from 2009 described a mermaid encounter off the coast of Israel, in the town of Kiryat Yam. Shlomo Cohen (one of the first people to see the mermaid) said she had been with her friends and they had spotted a women lying on the sand. As they approached, she quickly sprang into the water. It was as if she had disappeared. Shlomo said, "We were all in shock because we saw she had a tail."
Greek Mythology
Mermaids-
They were known for being minor goddesses of nature, specifically of the oceans and seas. They are a type of water nymph. They are the 3,000 daughter of the Triton (Son of the two greek gods Amphitrite and Poseidon).
They were described as being...
- young and beautiful
- long and flowy hair
- deep sad eyes
- minor nature goddesses
- power to control mountains, water, forests, rivers, and oceans.
Water Nymphs-
They were described as being...
- young and beautiful
- minor nature goddesses
- entertain gods
- power to control mountains, water, forests, rivers, and oceans.
Name of Nymphs- Nike Greek Goddess of Victory, Nemesis Goddess of Revenge, and Harmonia Goddess of Harmony.
Sirens-
They were temptresses of the sea whose singing lured lost sailors to their deaths. They played a role in the "Mythical story of Odysseus." It is believed that these creatures lived on the island of Anthemoessa, in the sea between Sicily and Italy. Huge boulders surrounded the outer edges of the island. If ships got too close, then they would be destroyed. Some sources say that they are half bird and half human body, but other information I found states that these creatures are prat human and part fish like mermaids and nymphs.
They were described as being...
- young and beautiful maidens
- pretty voices
- supernatural beings
The Aquatic Ape Theory
Drawings
Bibliography
Works Cited
Aquatic Ape Hypothesis. N.p., n.d. Web.
"Camera Captures Mermaid on Submersible | Mermaids." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 13 Dec. 2015.
"The Little Mermaid Photo: Ariel." Ariel. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Dec. 2015.
"Mermaids Are Real: Columbus, Shakespeare, and Pliny the Elder." The Epoch Times Mermaids Are Real Columbus Shakespeare and Pliny the Elder Comments. N.p., 30 May 2013. Web. 08 Dec. 2015.
"Mythical Creatures: Mermaids and Controversial Theories - The Epoch Times." The Epoch Times Mythical Creatures Mermaids and Controversial Theories Comments. N.p., 19 Apr. 2014. Web. 08 Dec. 2015.
N.p., n.d. Web.
N.p., n.d. Web.
Nymphs. © 2015 Siteseen Ltd., n.d. Web.
Radford, By Benjamin. "Mermaids & Mermen: Facts & Legends." LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 15 Nov. 2014. Web. 08 Dec. 2015.