Mermaids are mythical creatures that live in the sea, usually depicted with the head and body of a person (there are also ‘mermen’) and the tail of a fish below the waist. Also often talked about in Ireland and Scotland especially, there are many tales of people having seen mermaids in English waters. The word comes from ‘mere’ which is Olde English for the word ‘sea’.
Mermaids are often talked about as protecting people in the sea, but other stories go of luring besotted sailors to their watery graves. Some mermaids are said to live as seals in the water, then transform into humans while on land.
Some shape-shifting mermaids even marry people on the land, but usually go back to sea and leave loved ones behind, because they cannot leave the ocean.
One of the places for stories of mermaids is the maritime city of Liverpool. Many local ships are named after mermaids, and Paradise Street is where you’ll find stories from old sailors. Even the shield on the city’s Liver Bird coat of arms, features merfolk.
There are stories of a mermaid in the 19th century who would ring a sunken church bell at dawn, on Easter Sunday. Believed to tell this mostly Catholic city to take better care of their souls!
In Cornwall, Mawgan Porth reported sightings back in 1827. A boy intending to fish at night reported seeing a creature that looked like a long-haired human, with fish-like fins on their lower half (blue in colour).
Sceptics often say people mistake mermaids for seals. But regular fisherman likely knew what seals looked like. What do you think?
The Mermaid of Wexford (c. 1600)
One of the earliest tales, the Mermaid of Wexford, sets the stage for mermaid folklore. In the early 1600s, locals in Wexford reported seeing a mysterious aquatic figure off the coast. Witnesses described a creature with the body of a fish and the face of a woman.
This account soon became a key part of local folklore. Songs and stories immortalised this mermaid, blending fact and fable into a single tale. It highlights how stories often grow in the telling, becoming larger than life.
The Mermaid of Zennor (c. 1600s)
In the enchanting village of Zennor, Cornwall, another mermaid tale took root. Here, the legend recounts a mermaid named Morveren, who fell madly in love with a local man named Mathey Trewella. Drawn to his beautiful singing, she whisked him away into the watery depths.
Today, the church in Zennor still bears a carving of this legendary mermaid—a testament to the enduring power of these stories. Do we sense a longing for the mysterious sea calling locals into its embrace?
Modern Sightings and Reports
Even today, whispers of mermaid sightings pop up from time to time. Modern witnesses describe similar encounters: a glimpse of a tail or a fleeting figure disappearing into the waves. Though no concrete evidence supports these claims, the stories persist.
Could these tales be shaped by nostalgic echoes of past folklore, or is something more gratifying about keeping the mystery alive?
Scientific Explanations for Mermaid Sightings
Often, the simplest explanation lies with nature itself. Abroad, manatees and dugongs share curious similarities with humans, especially when glimpsed from afar. Sailors, weary from long voyages, might easily mistake these creatures for mermaids, giving rise to enduring myths.
Beyond biology, psychology also plays a role. Our minds can be tricksy, especially under the influence of group psychology, folklore beliefs, and suggestion. A single mention of mermaids can set imaginations soaring, leading to “sightings” that are more fantasy than fact. It’s a classic case of seeing what we wish to see.
