Greek Mythology
From Greek and Roman mythology we find the first mention of the mermaid - and indeed, the mermen. In Greek mythology, one finds mention of a creature half-bird and half-woman who lured sailors to destruction by the sweetness of her voice. According to Homer there were two sirens on an island in the western sea between Ageaea and the rocks of Scylla. They were variously said to be the daughters of the sea god Phorcys or of the river god Achelous.
The Mermaid in World Cultures
The Indians, amongst their many gods, worshipped one group of water-gods known as the Apsaras, who were celestial flute-playing water-nymphs.
The Japanese called their mermaids Ningyo. These were depicted as a fish with a human head.
The Irish knew their mermaids as Merrows or Muirruhgach and some sources write that they lived on dry land below the sea and had powers that allowed them to pass through the water without drowning.
The Norwegian mermaid, known as Havfine, were believed to have very unpredictable tempers. Though some were known to be kind, most were incredibly cruel and it was considered unlucky to see one.
There are myths aplenty in German mythology. There are the Meerfrau; the Nix and the Nixe who were the male and female fresh-water inhabitants, and it was believed that they were treacherous to men.
Copyright Encyclopaedia Britannica 2001
Link for Hans Christian Andersen's Classsic tale; "The Little Mermaid".
cgi/aesop1.cgi?hca&a51
Aesop's Fables Version of "The Little Mermaid".
http://www.fionabroome.com/
fae/related/merfolk1.htm
http://www.gaelscoil.com/myths/
mermaid.htm
http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/
folklore/mermaids.html
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NOTE:
(Some sites I would consider to be a PG-13 in rating, so parents be aware and monitor the kidlets!!)
