TABLE OF CONTENTS WHAT IS A MERMAID MEETING MERMAIDS A WORLD OF MERMAID MYTHS REAL-LIFE MERMAIDS MERMAIDS IN ART MERMAID MYTHS ACROSS THE MAP GLOSSARY FURTHER INFORMATION INDEX
WhAt Is A mermaid seA MAIdens Mermaids are mythical water creatures The name developed from mer which means sea in French and maid which is another name for a young woman Mermaids have the upper body of a woman and the lower body of a fish Despite this strange combination most mermaids are very beautiful Their looks and haunting singing can mesmerize the humans that see them Often mermaids have long flowing hair and a shimmery colorful tail Since ancient times mermaid characters have appeared in many myths legends and stories In these stories mermaids have special talents that bring good fortune or bad luck to those who meet them Like fish they can live and breathe underwater Like humans mermaids can breathe air talk and sing However not all mermaids are the same Countries around the world call their sea maidens by different names Their looks and talents vary and so do their stories Each one is as magical as the next Some mermaids hide behind rocks to avoid being seen 4
Mermaids have the power to see into the future SPECIAL POWERS In myths and legends mermaids have the power to control many things Some use these powers for good Others however use them to bring death or bad luck to humans The most basic mermaid power is her control over the sea She plays her harp to calm the water but she can create giant waves if she is angry Seeing a mermaid can be an omen that a violent storm is coming Wise sailors pay attention to these signs and do not venture out into the sea Once at sea sailors may be in danger from evil mermaids These sea maidens can cast a spell by singing or by staring at a human In this way mermaids lure people into the water to drown Mermaids have many other powers too They brush their hair to strengthen these powers Mermaids practice telekinesis and some can become invisible Most can swim at incredible speeds Others grant wishes and can bring great riches to their human friends FAst FAct If a mermaid kisses a human that person can then breathe underwater 5
