MERMAIDS are multicultural mythical figures, reflecting the continuing human fascination with the sea in stories echoing thousands of years into the past. Mermaids are found in cultures across the globe.
In Australia, special water spirits appear in the rock and bark art of First Nations people in Arnhem Land.
Across the continent of Africa, mermaid-like water deities such as Yemaya and Mami Wata reflect the powerful connection between human communities and their environment.
Among the most well-known mermaid narratives is Hans Christian Anderson’s fairy tale, The Little Mermaid, now a live-action film from Disney.
By the time of its publication in 1837, The Little Mermaid was already a relative latecomer to the genre. Indeed, Hans Christian Anderson himself was raised with much earlier stories involving mermaids.
His childhood bedtime reading included the works of Shakespeare and the Tales of the Arabian Nights.
Shakespeare’s mermaids from A Midsummer Night’s Dream are noted for their song. Oberon observes beautiful mermaid melodies could calm the sea and draw down the stars:
Since once I sat upon a promontory,
And heard a mermaid on a dolphin’s back
Uttering such dulcet and harmonious breath
That the rude sea grew civil at her song
And certain stars shot madly from their spheres,
To hear the sea-maid’s music.
Anderson’s other bedtime book, the Arabian Nights, is a collection of Indian and Persian stories assembled over many centuries. Among these are narratives about merfolk, some of whom live in wonderful undersea palaces.
In one story, a human fisherman visits his merman friend under the sea. There he finds communities of Jewish, Christian and Muslim merfolk, before their friendship ends over religious differences.
Images of human-fish hybrid creatures can be found from the third millennium BCE in ancient Mesopotamia, a geographical area relating roughly to modern day Iraq.
The Apkallu, or the seven divine sages of Mesopotamian myth, can take the shape of human-fish hybrids. This is particularly interesting due to their connection to ancient wisdom traditions predating the great flood. In Mesopotamian literature, as in the Bible, a great flood event destroys most of humanity.
As human-fish hybrids, the Apkallu were well-equipped to survive the flood and carry forward their wisdom traditions. According to Mesopotamian literature, the useful information given to humanity by the Apkallu included knowledge of medicine and building cities.
The connection of mermaids to wisdom and medicine extends to other ancient traditions. In Southern Africa, mermaids play a complex role in ages-old healing rituals.
The ancient Near Eastern connection between mermaids and Flood traditions can be seen in the illustrated Nuremberg Bible of 1483, where merfolk are depicted swimming around the ark with their merdog.
Across the world and across traditions, mermaids have been accompanied by many different creatures. Their close connection to the sea extends to animals who share their home.
As in the Nuremberg Bible, mermaids and seadogs are said to swim together in Inuit mythology from North America.
In folklore from the Orkney Islands in Scotland merfolk are instead accompanied by seals, and are described milking whales.
In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, mermaids are accompanied by dolphins. In myths from East Asia and South America, they are friendly with turtles.
Similarities with the Danish fairy tale can be found in a famous story from South Korean folklore, dating to the 13th century CE.
In the story, the mermaid Princess Hwang-Ok (also known as Topaz) marries a prince and becomes more human.
The princess is homesick for her underwater life, so her turtle companion helps her to use the moon to turn back into a mermaid and regain her wellbeing.
Turtles and whales appear with mermaids as helpers to the Mesoamerican storm deity Tezcatlipoca. The myth is an aetiological tale about the creation of music in the world.
Another theme shared by many mermaid myths is that of music. Powerful and persuasive song is a feature of numerous folkloric tales containing mermaids, including varieties of the Little Mermaid tale and Shakespeare.
In his fairy tale, Anderson’s mermaid uses her special abilities with music to win a contest in the royal court. In a disturbing scene, the voiceless mermaid participates in a song and dance contest against decoratively attired enslaved women, all competing for the prince’s attention.
In 1989, the animated Disney film’s soundtrack won both a Grammy award and two Oscars.
In Shakespeare, mermaids are sometimes conflated with the Sirens of Greek myth by the poet. The two mythical figures were commonly viewed as interchangeable from the medieval times.
Sirens in ancient epics such as Homer’s Odyssey were known for their ability to lure people to their death with their sweet-sounding songs – and their promise to share secret wisdom with their listeners. Sirens, like merfolk, are known as hybrid creatures with powerful voices, but are usually depicted with bird-like, rather than fish-like, qualities.
The power of merfolk to seduce with their charms may reflect the ability of the sea to capture the hearts of seafarers, and keep them away from their homes on land – by accident or design.
The dynamic nature of mermaid mythology contributes to their continuing popularity in the 21st century.
Mermaids build bridges between land and water (at times in Southeast Asian and South American myths, quite literally), between human and animal, and between wilderness and civilisation, giving a human face to the mysteries of the deep.
Reuters
Fri Jun 02 2023
![A long and fishy tail: Before Disney's Little Mermaid, these creatures existed in mythologies from around the world A long and fishy tail: Before Disney's Little Mermaid, these creatures existed in mythologies from around the world](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-04/61681090508_TBTheLittleMermaid.jpg)
Among the most well-known mermaid narratives is Hans Christian Andersons fairy tale, The Little Mermaid, now a live-action film from Disney. - DISNEY/Filepic
![Bekas pemimpin Bangladesh, Hasina didakwa lakukan genosid Bekas pemimpin Bangladesh, Hasina didakwa lakukan genosid](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2016-07/71467442821_SheikhHasina.jpg)
Bekas pemimpin Bangladesh, Hasina didakwa lakukan genosid
Sheikh Hasina didakwa melakukan "genosid dan jenayah terhadap kemanusiaan" semasa beberapa minggu protes ganas yang mengakibatkan ratusan orang terbunuh.
![Fadillah tiba di Peru untuk hadiri mesyuarat menteri-menteri tenaga APEC 2024 Fadillah tiba di Peru untuk hadiri mesyuarat menteri-menteri tenaga APEC 2024](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723674456_FadillahYusof.jpg)
Fadillah tiba di Peru untuk hadiri mesyuarat menteri-menteri tenaga APEC 2024
Timbalan Perdana Menteri Fadillah akan mengetengahkan pendirian Malaysia dalam melaksanakan usaha peralihan tenaga negara.
![Lawatan PM Anwar ke India dijangka kukuhkan hubungan ekonomi - Ramanan Lawatan PM Anwar ke India dijangka kukuhkan hubungan ekonomi - Ramanan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721630406_TBAnwarIbrahim.jpg)
Lawatan PM Anwar ke India dijangka kukuhkan hubungan ekonomi - Ramanan
Perdana Menteri Anwar dijadualkan membuat lawatan rasmi pertama ke India dari 19 hingga 20 Ogos.
![PRK Nenggiri: Generasi muda tagih peluang pekerjaan PRK Nenggiri: Generasi muda tagih peluang pekerjaan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/81723287338_Nenggiri.jpg)
PRK Nenggiri: Generasi muda tagih peluang pekerjaan
Tanpa kehadiran tapak perindustrian, rata-rata penduduk di sini hanya bergantung harap kepada pekerjaan tradisional.
![Dua pelajar cemerlang Malaysia terpilih sertai CSSP di Geneva Dua pelajar cemerlang Malaysia terpilih sertai CSSP di Geneva](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/71723670962_ShimZiJunNurulN.jpg)
Dua pelajar cemerlang Malaysia terpilih sertai CSSP di Geneva
Dua pelajar cemerlang Malaysia dipilih menyertai Program Pelajar Musim Panas CERN (CSSP) 2024 di Geneva, Switzerland.
![Hari Kebangsaan: Tidak berkira hias rumah, kereta sejak 24 tahun lepas Hari Kebangsaan: Tidak berkira hias rumah, kereta sejak 24 tahun lepas](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/81723628328_TBKandapan.jpg)
Hari Kebangsaan: Tidak berkira hias rumah, kereta sejak 24 tahun lepas
Kandapan juga cukup terkenal dengan keretanya yang turut dihiasi Jalur Gemilang, bendera Johor dan semua negeri serta pelbagai pelekat imej bertemakan kemerdekaan termasuk wajah pemimpin negara.
![Malaysia kekal destinasi utama bagi pelaburan PTTEP - BMI Malaysia kekal destinasi utama bagi pelaburan PTTEP - BMI](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-02/81613025046_TBPelantarMinyak.jpg)
Malaysia kekal destinasi utama bagi pelaburan PTTEP - BMI
Malaysia akan kekal sebagai destinasi utama bagi pelaburan syarikat minyak nasional Thailand, PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP), dalam jangka masa pendek dan panjang.
Jualan penyaman udara naik mendadak di negara Balkan
Menetap di negara sejuk, mereka tidak pernah terfikir memasang penyaman udara di dalam rumah memandangkan musim panas bukanlah setiap hari. Namun, cuaca panas melampau membuatkan mereka bertukar fikiran.
![Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan ekstremis Zionis Israel ke atas Masjid Al-Aqsa Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan ekstremis Zionis Israel ke atas Masjid Al-Aqsa](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/61706688348_wismaputra.jpg)
Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan ekstremis Zionis Israel ke atas Masjid Al-Aqsa
Kerajaan Malaysia mengecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan Masjid Al-Aqsa oleh ekstremis Zionis Israel pada 13 Ogos.
![Reda dengan pemergian anak walaupun bukan pengakhiran diharapkan - Ayah Nidza Afham Reda dengan pemergian anak walaupun bukan pengakhiran diharapkan - Ayah Nidza Afham](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61723653359_TBMOKHTAR.jpg)
Reda dengan pemergian anak walaupun bukan pengakhiran diharapkan - Ayah Nidza Afham
Ayah kepada penyanyi dan Youtubers Muhammad Nidza Afham Mokhtar reda dengan pemergian anak lelakinya walaupun itu bukan pengakhiran yang beliau harapkan.
!['The Little Mermaid' ungguli carta pecah panggung di Amerika Utara 'The Little Mermaid' ungguli carta pecah panggung di Amerika Utara](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-04/61681090508_TBTheLittleMermaid.jpg)
'The Little Mermaid' ungguli carta pecah panggung di Amerika Utara
Filem The Little Mermaid mendahului carta jualan tiket pecah panggung di benua Amerika Utara dengan anggaran jualan dalam masa tiga hari pada hujung mencecah AS$95.5 juta.
![Ini 4 sebab kenapa anda perlu tonton filem The Little Mermaid Ini 4 sebab kenapa anda perlu tonton filem The Little Mermaid](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-05/51684937907_TheLittleMermaid.jpg)
Ini 4 sebab kenapa anda perlu tonton filem The Little Mermaid
The Little Mermaid. Sebuah kisah dongeng yang mengangkat kecintaan si duyung bernama Ariel terhadap kehidupan manusia di darat.
![Lirik lagu 'The Little Mermaid' diubah suai ikut peredaran semasa Lirik lagu 'The Little Mermaid' diubah suai ikut peredaran semasa](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-04/61681090508_TBTheLittleMermaid.jpg)
Lirik lagu 'The Little Mermaid' diubah suai ikut peredaran semasa
Lirik lagu 'The Little Mermaid' diubah suai selaras dengan perubahan sikap media sosial terhadap persetujuan.
![Pegawai keselamatan dan kesihatan penuhi impian jadi 'duyung' Pegawai keselamatan dan kesihatan penuhi impian jadi 'duyung'](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-01/41673751155_IkanDuyung.jpg)
Pegawai keselamatan dan kesihatan penuhi impian jadi 'duyung'
Penampilan ikan duyung berusia 37 tahun itu sedikit berbeza dengan Ariel apabila kostum yang dikenakannya mengekalkan imej Muslimah.
![Teaser filem The Little Mermaid terima lebih 1.5 juta tanda 'dislike' Teaser filem The Little Mermaid terima lebih 1.5 juta tanda 'dislike'](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-09/61663161565_TBTheLittleMermaid.jpg)
Teaser filem The Little Mermaid terima lebih 1.5 juta tanda 'dislike'
Jumlah 'dislike' yang terlalu banyak pada teaser berkenaan telah menyebabkan YouTube menutup jumlah sebenar angka 'dislike' tersebut.
![Harry Styles bakal pegang watak Prince Eric dalam The Little Mermaid? Harry Styles bakal pegang watak Prince Eric dalam The Little Mermaid?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-07/81563420016_TBMASUPHARRY.jpg)
Harry Styles bakal pegang watak Prince Eric dalam The Little Mermaid?
Selepas Halle Bailey diumumkan bakal memengang watak Ariel menerusi Disney Live Action, peminat-peminat pasti teruja apabila Harry Styles juga dijangka akan membuat kemunculan dalam filem tersebut.