When one thinks of a mermaid you may visualize Ariel, from Disney’s 1989 movie version of the fairy tale called “The Little Mermaid.” One may also think of the late Danish author Hans Christian Andersen’s original fairy tale, “The Little Mermaid.” Published on April 7 1837. These mermaids were benevolent and wished for a soul of their own.
In Folklore this kind of mermaid would at times seduce a sailor of their choice, by singing an ancient seductive song. Her goal was to marry a human. Once the mermaid swims to shore she transforms into a woman sporting legs rather than wearing her usual fish tail.
On the other side of the fin so to speak, are Vampire mermaids which are nasty sea spirits that exhibit similar behavior as Sirens.
Sirens, in the Greek myth, Homer’s Odyssey, sing an ancient song that seduce sailors to seek out their bewitching voices, their hypnotic voices led sailors to Davy Jones’ locker, having crashed their ships upon the rocks.
Other tales speak of a mermaid saving a sailor’s life if he happened to fall off a ship or was tossed off by a third party.
According to most mermaid lore, benevolent mermaids are amiable and help save many drowning folks, over several centuries. According to sealore mermaids have the gift of healing, while other mermaids are shamans or psychopomps, that assist the deceased spirits of the drowned to the shadow world.
However, the dark, malicious type of mermaid termed, “Vampire mermaid,” hates people and is determined to destroy them.
Vampire mermaids do not drain a person’s blood out of their body instead, they suck out one’s soul.
The Vampire mermaid is a strategic stalker that physically appears gorgeous and provocative. She will act seductively towards her ignorant victim until she closes in for the kill and quickly drains the victim of his spirit.
Vampire mermaids and mermaids; both types of mermaids desire a soul of their own. Both have opposite ways of obtaining it.
So be wary of crossing the path of a mermaid. She might be a Vampire mermaid which could be deadly for you!
Sources & References:
Andersen, Hans Christian (2007-12-13). “The Little Mermaid”. IL: Gilead.
Walt Disney Studios, The Little Mermaid (film, 1989
Homer, Odyssey, book 12.
Illes, Judika (2009). The encyclopedia of spirits: the ultimate guide to the magic of fairies, genies, demons, ghosts, gods, and goddesses. New York: HarperOne. ISBN 978-0-06-135024-5.
Briggs, K. M. (1976). An Encyclopedia of Fairies, Hobgoblins, Brownies, Boogies, and Other Supernatural Creatures. Random House. ISBN 0-394-73467-X.
*Folklore, poetry & fiction writer 