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Post by katesmith on Nov 15, 2005 18:50:51 GMT 10
Are Mermaids goddesses or spirits? In European folklore, Mermaids (and more rarely, Mermen) were natural beings that, like fairies, had magical and prophetic powers. Although very long-lived, they were mortal and had no souls. Many folktales record marriages between men and Mermaids who might assume human form. In most the man steals the Mermaid’s cap, belt, comb, or mirror – some object which represents both her magic and her sexuality. If she finds the stolen item, she returns at once to the sea; but whilst the object remains hidden, she lives with him. Though sometimes kindly, Mermaids were often dangerous to man. Some legends say that, if offended, they caused floods or other disasters; their gifts brought misfortune. To see one on a voyage meant an omen of shipwreck. Sometimes, like Lorelei of the Rhine, they lured mortals to death by drowning or enticed young people to live with them underwater, as did the "Merrymaid" whose image is carved on a bench in the church of Zennor in Cornwall. Mermaids singing has been said to lure men to their doom or otherwise enchanting them.
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Post by Owen Watkin on Nov 16, 2005 7:37:38 GMT 10
Mermaids are fantastic, thats a great post and pic, Kate thanks for posting them.
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Hygelac
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Rex Getarum
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Post by Hygelac on Aug 5, 2006 21:59:48 GMT 10
They are not Goddesses really they are similar , as Elves (real Norse Elves that is...tall blonde and usually female....though these can be classed as Deities (possibly lesser Váns)...at a stretch), Dwarves (as in Dvergar), Goblins (or Kobolds for the Germanically inclined!), Silkies (who are Seal/Humanoids in the folklore of the Orkneys (where the tales originated), Shetlands, Scotland, Irish and Northumbrian fishermen...very similar to Merfolk), and of course Finfolk (who are more evil and are very, very similar to Merfolk).
People mistakenly think the 'Mer' in Mermaid, Merman and Merfolk comes from Latin through French but infact it is from Old Germanic through English...deriving from Mere (Middle English for a lake or Sea, connected from the German Meer), 'Maid' being a girl, 'Man' being a Man (obviously), and 'Folk' being a word for people (connected to the Germain Volk). Opposed to the often stated 'Mare' which comes from the Latin for Sea, hence the Latin countries call Mermaids, Sirens (or varienties thereof).
The Mermaid as we know it is also from Germanic Mythology, the most famous Mermaid being Danish of course (and based on Danish Folk Traditions).
They are connected to the Nakken, Nixe, Nicor...ect...
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Post by Owen Watkin on Aug 6, 2006 0:39:23 GMT 10
That is a very interesting post, Thanks Hygelac.
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Hygelac
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Rex Getarum
Posts: 123
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Post by Hygelac on Aug 6, 2006 0:49:18 GMT 10
No problem...Germanic Mythology (including English Mythology and Folklore) is my forte!
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Post by Owen Watkin on Aug 6, 2006 0:57:14 GMT 10
Are you from that part of the world?
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Hygelac
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Rex Getarum
Posts: 123
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Post by Hygelac on Aug 6, 2006 1:04:16 GMT 10
Yes. I am from Northumberland in the UK (which used to be part of the Angle kingdom of Northumbria in þe Olde Days), and I have taken an interest in my countries (aswell as the other Germanic nations...and some Celtic ones) heritage in a folkloric and historical sense.
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Ragnar
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Rex Sueonum, Rex Danorum
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Post by Ragnar on Aug 6, 2006 2:55:40 GMT 10
Yes the Kingdom of Nothumbria was the biggest Anglo-Saxon Kingdom. It reached from Yorkshire to Edinburgh. I prefer to call my home Northumberia as I feel a Kinship with people from Yorkshire and the other Northern counties (apart from Cumberland which was not part of Northumbria.......great place though!).
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Post by outerlimits on May 10, 2007 8:06:08 GMT 10
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Post by Owen Watkin on May 10, 2007 17:20:59 GMT 10
Very good, thanks Rob!
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