LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Mermaids: Seas
built 656 days ago
Tidewatchers dwell close to the surface and are often seen swimming with pods of whales and dolphins, literally thousands of which owe their lives to these kind-hearted mermaids. Orla, literally "friend of the seas" in old Mermaidian, has freed many dolphins and young whales from long forgotten driftnets and has come to the aid of many a storm-damaged ship. One story tells of a ship, returning to harbour with a badly damaged rudder, on an unavoidable collision course with a large iceberg. The ship suddenly turned itself to avoid the huge berg. When the first mate ran to stern to check the rudder he found himself eye to eye with a beautiful mermaid. He paused to rub his eyes in disbelief and when he opened them, she was gone, with no more than a gentle ripple on the water's surface.
Source:
In European folklore, mermaids were associated with sirens, beautiful creatures whose singing lures sailors to their doom. Mermaids were commonly pictured as floating on top of the waves, singing or combing their long hair and gazing into mirrors. Seeing a mermaid was considered bad luck, as mermaids often appeared before storms or other disasters and were believed to carry drowned men away to their kingdom at the bottom of the sea. Although encounters with mermaids and mermen often ended badly for humans, in some legends, these sea creatures married human partners and took completely human form to live on land.
Source:
Some of the more interesting cards include the Lovers, which depicts two mermaids and a merman dancing in a circle in the water. The concept of choosing between two paths or lovers seems to be instead a choice of a sexual triad. The Chariot, a large open seashell, is, of course, escorted by dolphins. Strength shows a mermaid investigating the mouth of a walrus or some other fanged water animal. The cards hues are oranges and pale reds, and the mermaid's hair is a swirl of orange shaped in a thickly-rendered lemniscate.
Source:
As well as granting wishes there are tales of mermaids intermarrying with humans and creating hybrid children with some powers of faery. An old story attached to Ardrossan Castle in Ayrshire recounts how a sailor was shipwrecked just off the coast and found shelter with a mermaid in a sea cave. They became lovers and their son, by name of Michael Scott went to live in the castle. He owned a magical book inherited from his mother that gave him some magical powers. Whether he is to be identified with the famous wizard Michael Scott is unclear.
Source:
One of the most rewarding benefits of Mermaids in the City is the smiles on the faces of children with physical disabilities. There are more than 1,500 such children in Newfoundland and Labrador. Proceeds from Mermaids in the City will enable Easter Seals to expand its programs and services for these deserving kids and their families. Through your support of Mermaids in the City, you gave these children the opportunity to grow, develop and just be kids.
Source:
Female mermaids and male mermen are imaginary beings with the upper bodies of humans and the lower bodies of fish. Often mentioned in European legends, they ... occur occasionally in the folklore of seagoing peoples from other regions of the world. Although mermaids are usually portrayed as being lovely, they are also associated with danger. Their dual nature reflects humankind's relationship with the sea, which can be either a beautiful and bountiful place or a realm of fear and disaster.
Source:
MORE ABOUT
Seas