Mermaids

A mermaid is a legendary creature with a female human head and torso (if it's male, it's called a merman) and the tail of a fish, which inhabits the water.

One freshwater mermaid-like creature (sometimes having two fish tails, other times having the body of a dragon or serpent) is the character Melusine. Sirens in folklore are similar creatures to mermaids. Other related types of mythical or legendary creature are water nymphs.

The actions and behavior of mermen can vary wildly depending on the source and time period of the stories. They have been said to sink ships by summoning great storms, but also said to be wise teachers, according to earlier mythology.

The most well-known merman was probably Triton, son of Poseidon and Amphitrite. Although Amphitrite gave birth to a merman, neither Poseidon nor Amphitrite were merfolk, although both were able to live under water as easily as on land.

The first time a mermaid was envisioned within her own culture was apparently the one in The Little Mermaid of Hans Christian Andersen. This mermaid was embodied in a bronze sculpture in Copenhagen harbour and much later was turned into a Disney movie of the same title.