Ceasg from Scottish Mythology
They are half human and half salmon. Of course the salmon half is the tail. They are known
to seduce sailors and lure them into the sea. What happens to the men in the sea is unknown
but they never return home. So presumably dead.
Now the best thing you should do when encountering them is to never try anything with them because
you can disappear in the abyss if you become enchanted. Though you might be one of the
lucky ones to satisfy their curiousity. They are said to be able to shapeshift into fully
human and marry the man that caught their attention.
Though the marriage never last long as they would become bored and go back to sea leaving
the husband and their children. It is said, their offspring would become great sailors
or have a talent that has something to do with the sea.
Other than that, the Ceasg is also said to be able to grant three wishes if captured
in exchange for her release. When the third wish is granted, she would disappear into
thin air probably just teleported by magic when the condition is met.
Ningyo from Japanese Folklore
There are a lot of different descriptions of the Ningyo from having a fish head and
human body, to the upper body of a human and bottom of a fish to completely fish like but
with a humanoid face and arms that has sharp claws.
The obvious difference it has with the mermaids we see in movies and cartoons is that the
Ningyo always looks hideous and nightmarish. So they don't try to seduce or enchant people
to come near them, they rather have nothing to do with humans.
But they are magical beings that if they were ever caught by humans, they can place a curse
on the human and ensure that a tsunami would come. The only reason why people want to catch
a Ningyo even with knowing they could get cursed is that people believed that by eating
their flesh, their life would be extended and youth would be granted.
Iara from Brazilian Mythology
She is a beautiful, immortal woman with long greenish hair, light brown or copper coloured
skin and a lower body of a fish or serpent. She also has a great voice which she uses
to lure men towards her.
The Iara would be found sitting on a rock by the river and comb her hair while basking
under the sun. The men she enchanted would be persuaded to leave everything he has and
come with her into the river where she promised he would live like a king while she caters
his every need.
Is that the truth? We would never be sure of it, because for all we know, she could
eat them when no one is watching. But lore has stated that the men would be catered for
the rest of their life.
Their long or short life.
Siyokoy and Sirena from Filipino Folklore
Sirenas are the typical mermaid we know and love. They use their enchanting voice and
beauty to attract men further into the ocean either drowning them in the end or taking
them into their underwater kingdom.
But what makes them special is that their tears are said to be able to grant people
immortality and that they don't like humans at all.
Then there is the Siyokoy. They are the male counterpart of the Sirena. They are humanoid
creatures that either have a fishtail or scaled legs with webbed toes. Or even a fish head
with scaly human limbs.
They are said to be leaders and protectors of the sea and just like the Sirenas, they
don't like humans as well. They would definitely attack humans or any vessels that trespass
into their territory.
Melusine from European Folklore
The stories of the Melusine can be found in France, Germany, Luxembourg and even as far
as Albania during the medieval times. Now she is famous for being the nameless mermaid
found in the Starbucks logo. Well, at least a variation of the Melusine. Because the Melusine
was depicted as a woman who has a serpent or fish like lower body but sometimes she
would also have wings or two tails or even both at the same time.
There are a lot of varying stories of her and one legend says that the French Lusignan
royal house that ruled Cyprus from the year 1192 to 1489 were the descendants of Melusine.
Well a few other royals have also claimed to be descendants as well.
Now, her story always revolve around her mermaid form being found out while bathing.
One of the stories that are often told starts like this.
Melusine was a beautiful woman that is cursed. Her curse was that, every time she bathes,
everything waist down would turn into a fish like tail or that of a serpent. So she lives
in the forest out of people's eyes. Or she could be a fairy of the forest. You pick.
Anyways, one day, Raymond, the Duke of Aquitaine, saw her and begged her to marry him. She agreed
with a condition that he never disturb her whenever she wants privacy which is apparently
always a Saturday.
So they got married and everything seemed fine. They even had children together around
10 or more. But curiousity can be a bad thing. Because not knowing sets the imagination wild
and the Duke became suspicious of Melusine, suspicious of adultery.
So he decided to break the promise and spied on his wife. But rather than adultery, he
saw her true form. Shocked at the truth, after days of confusion he called her a serpent
. That's when she knew he had broken the promise. So Melusine sad that the promise was broken,
she transformed into a dragon-like being, wailed in disbelief and flew off never to
be seen again.