So Do Mermaids Really Exist?

In my opinion, yes they do. The world is such a amazing place filled with wonders and creatures we still to this day haven't discovered and maybe never will. The research i have concluded doesn't prove they are real nor it proves that there is no possible way of their existence. The world is probably not prepared to encounter these creatures. I believe there will come a day where the question of mermaids will no longer exist only in science fiction books and movies but move on to historic museums and science books. But for now it's all based upon the imagination of each individual and the way one sees the world.

Evidence of Mermaids

 Egyptian Cave Paintings 

Although proof of mermaids has not yet been confirmed, it is still impossible to confirm that there is no possible way for their existence. According to a website called Marine Bio there is no way to prove that mermaids exist and there is no way to prove that they don't. Stories of these creatures date back from 1000 b.c from all around the world. It makes me wonder, with no way of communicating across long distances how so many different places around the world develop generally the same idea of a creature containing the qualities of both man and fish. 

"Ocean Mysteries." Marine Biology, Ocean Life Conservation, Sea Creatures, Biodiversity, Oceans Research... N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2012. 

Mermaid Sightings 

Mermaids: The Body Found

There have been many so thought sightings around the world of what look to be a part human part fish creature. One of the sightings according to a web article on Live Science by Benjamin Radford happened in the Israeli town of Kiryat Yam. Locals and tourists have been flocking to the coast in hopes of catching a glimpse of what many believe only exists in fairy tales. What looks to be a mermaid has been seen appearing before sunset preforming tricks only to disappear for the night. "I was with friends when suddenly we saw a woman laying on the sand in a weird way. At first I thought she was just another sunbather, but when we approached she jumped into the water and disappeared. We were all in shock because we saw she had a tail", said Shlomo Cohen, a local from Kiryat Yam. Other possible leads for the plausible existence of mermaids come from the Animal Planet science-fiction documentary directed by Charlie Foley called Mermaids: The Body Found. Where scientists explain the possible scientific origin of these creatures and how they may have evolved. They believe that mermaids evolved from early humans, otherwise known as apes. These apes had to adapt to water conditions causing them to evolve fins and other fish like qualities.

Radford, Benjamin. "Mermaid Sightings Claimed in Israel." LiveScience.com. N.p., 13 Aug. 2009. Web. 23 Oct. 2012.

Foley, Charlie. "Mermaids: The Body Found." Animal Planet. 27 May 2012. Television.

The Legend of Mermaids

Ulysses and the Sirens, Herbert James Draper, (1864-1920)

Nowdays most people picture mermaids as sweet and innocent creatures from the sea,

 this however, was not the case a few thousand years ago.  According to a website called Gods and Monsters, mermaids were sometimes seen as evil and dangerous. The earliest mermaid legends known originate from Syria around 1000 b.c. They told tales of a Syrian Goddess, Atargatis that dove into a lake to take the form of a fish but her powers would not allow her to give up her beauty, causing her to only turn to a fish from the waist down. Other tales originate from Homer's Epic; The Odessey, where the Sirens were believed to be in mermaid form. A website called North Star Gallery states that the sea is a symbol of life and abundance, but also of annihilation and death. Mermaids, or in some cultures sirens emobdy these qualities calling man to abandon what he is and become something new, something unknown. Thus instilling the fear of losing oneself.

"Mermaid Mythology." Gods And Monsters. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2012.

"Mermaids and Sirens, Symbols of Seduction and Transformation - Northstar Gallery." Northstar Gallery. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2012.

Mermaid's, True or Folk Lore?

Waterhouse, John. Mermaid Mythology

Stories of beautiful part human and part fish creatures emerging from the sea have been around for thousands of years, claimed to be seen by early sailors and in ancient stories such as the myths about the god of the saw, Poseidon. They have always been something that i have been curious about. As a little girl i grew up watching the Little Mermaid and was always fascinated at the idea of a magical creature living underwater. It would only make sense that i would choose this topic as my research blog topic. Although many people may argue that mermaids were just a figment of early sailors' imagination, in my opinion i do believe that there lies chance of such a majestic creature existing. My opinion may be influenced by the fact that i want it to be true, or because there is in fact a possibility for it to be true with yet so many things in this world that have yet to be discovered.