The story of the mermaid appears in the folklore of many cultures around the world, including the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Story first appeared at the time of the Ancient Assyrians, about a goddess named Atargatis that transform himself into a mermaid because of shame had killed her accidentally. Babylonian society is also worshiped as the god of the sea mermaid known as Ea or Oannes; Oannes is described as a male mermaid.
In Greek mythology, the mermaid is said to always tease the sailors were negligent; anyone who is tempted to be doomed. Mermaids are also associated with siren creatures in Greek mythology, as well sirenian, order of marine mammals consisting of dugongs and sea ox. Some notes testimony encounter with mermaids by ancient sailors are most likely a mistake on the marine mammal observation form. Christopher Columbus claimed that he had seen a mermaid while browsing the Caribbean Sea, and report sightings also exist in the 20th century and the 21st in Canada, Israel, and Zimbabwe. In 2012, the National Ocean Service United States stated that the evidence of the existence of mermaids were never found.
Mermaids also become one of the popular subject in the field of art and literature in the modern age, for example in the works of the famous Hans Christian Andersen, "The Little Mermaid" (1836). Berungkali literary works have been adapted as an opera, painting, books, movies, and comics.
History
The story of the mermaid was first found in Assyrian. The story is about a goddess Atargatis, the mother of Assyrian queen, Semiramis. Goddess Atargatis fell in love with a shepherd, who then killed him. Embarrassed, he plunged into the lake to transform themselves into fish. However, water can not change him completely because of her beauty as a goddess. Finally, only half of his body that become fish from the waist up human form, from the waist down intangible fish although the depiction in ancient times, Atargatis described as fish heads and handed man, much like the god Ea of Babylon. The Greeks recognized Atargatis as Derketo.
In Greek legend is told that Alexander the Great's sister, Thessalonike, turn into a mermaid after her death, and wander in the Aegean Sea. He would always ask one question to sailors on every vessel he encountered: "Did Alexander still alive?" (Greek: "Ζει ο Βασιλιάς Αλέξανδρος"), and the correct answer is: "He is still alive and in power and conquer the world" (Greek: "Ζει και βασιλεύει και τον κόσμο κυριεύει"). The answer will make her happy, so he will make the waters became calm and menyelemati passing ship. Another answer would upset him, so that he will bring storms and cursed sailors and their ships in it
Discovery
Some legendary creatures like mermaids character is also found in some countries, such as: Mami Wata of west and central Africa; Russalki (Rusalka) from Russia and Ukraine; Merrow of Ireland and Scotland; Oceanid, Nereid, and Naiad from Greece, all four water nymphs. In fairy tales and folklore of Europe, there are creatures that its form resembles a mermaid called Melusine, tangible women from head to waist, while intangible fish from the waist down, with two forked tail or sometimes like a snake. According to Japanese folklore, if humans eat the flesh of a mermaid, it will gain immortality. In some European folklore, mermaids can be granted.
