March
27
/ 2021
Mermaids have occupied our imagination for thousands of years. The mesmerizing aquatic creatures, hybrid half-human and half-fish beings, have been spotted in seas around the world and appear in literature and folklore in diverse cultures. Idolized and feared in equal measure, according to legend the beauty of mermaids was said to lure people to a watery grave. But could it be that these supposedly mythical water spirits, described at different times as sirens, monsters, or even cryptids, were actually inspired by a real life medical condition? [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"84633","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"378","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"610"}}]] In legends and folklore, mermaids have been idolized and feared in equal measure throughout history. ( Public domain ) The Mermaid in Ancient Mythology The mermaid originated in ancient Assyria, now northern Syria
