Are Mermaids real?

The recent sighting of a mermaid in Karachi, Pakistan, and then in Porbander, Gujarat, has reignited the
debate over whether or not mermaids exist. Mermaids, or Jalpari in the local tongue, are a supernatural
creature with the upper body of a woman and the tail of a fish, according to folklore. But, do they
coexist on our planet or are they just works of fiction? Many people claim to have seen these priceless
perplexing animals on multiple occasions from various locations throughout the world, while others
dismiss such reports as a fabrication of human imagination.

Whatever the case may be, these lovely (debatable) but intriguing creatures remain one of the most
fascinating discoveries. We examine at some of the cases where these alleged Mermaid sightings were
proven to be true:

Kiryat Yam in Israel in 2009

In Israel, in 2009, one of the most renowned Mermaid sightings occurred in Kiryat Yam. The locals
claimed to have seen the aquatic animals, and they were numerous enough to come close to the blue-
collar Israeli village on the shore. The mermaids caused such a stir that the mayor of the town offered a
$1 million prize to anyone who could prove they really existed!

Hispaniola in Caribbean Islands in 1493

Mermaids were alleged to exist on Earth as early as 1493, by none other than the greatest explorer of all
time, Christopher Columbus! Three "female figures" "raised high out of the sea," he is alleged to have
observed. But, contrary to popular belief, they are not as beautiful as they appear to be.

Marina Beach in Chennai in 2005

Another question concerning the existence of mermaids was raised after claims of a mermaid's dead
body being discovered on Marina Beach after the Tsunami slammed the coastal state. This deceased
Mermaid's carcass is supposed to be kept in the Egmore Museum under strict security. In Tamil,
mermaids are known as Kadal Kanni, a fictional creature with a human upper body and a fish lower
body.

Lake Mutirikwi (Kyle) Dam in Zimbabwe in 2012

On the internet, there were multiple photos of a dead mermaid discovered in Masvingo's Lake Mutirikwi
(Kyle) Dam. Workers refused to continue work on two reservoirs in Gokwe and Mutare in Zimbabwe,
claiming that mermaids had chased them away from the locations. In this section of the world,
mermaids are known as Njuzu, and it is believed that they drown humans despite their efforts.

Kei Islands in Indonesia during World War II

Several Japanese soldiers claimed to have seen countless mermaids on the shores of Indonesia's Kei
Islands during World War II. They were reported as having a human face and limbs, as well as spikes on
their heads and a lengthy fin as they swam underwater. The mermaids are known as Orang Ikan by the
people on the Kei Islands, who claim to have seen dozens in the vicinity.

Why mermaids?
You might be curious about the origins of mermaids. Why have they been imagined by so many
individuals all throughout the world throughout history? It's a fascinating question with multiple
possible answers.

Superstitious sailors such as Christopher Columbus and others claimed to have seen mermaids on their
voyages, but scientists and historians believe they were likely witnessing actual animals such as
manatees or seals.

People have often made up stories to explain things they didn't understand at the time. People can also
use stories to better understand their own aspirations, desires, and anxieties.

Whatever the case may be, mermaids continue to be popular. Mermaid dolls, coloring books, and
costumes are available for purchase. Flags, coins, and Starbucks coffee all have them. Real humans
perform as mermaids in various aquariums and water parks, and they must practice holding their breath
and keeping their eyes open underwater for long periods of time. There's even a cotton candy brand
named "Mermaid Farts" that's touted as "sweet and fluffy!"

Even if mermaids aren't real, they might inspire you to be more imaginative and creative. Mermaids are
particularly significant because they are a shared concept that has brought people from all over the
world together for a long time.

More than one kind of mermaid

Some of the earliest mermaid tales date back over 3,000 years and are found in Greek mythology. The
Greeks envisaged a variety of hybrid beings, including harpies (birds and humans) and centaurs (horse
and human).

Their mermaids may be helpful, like as the Greek goddess Atargatis, who protected humanity, or they
could be harmful, such as the Sirens, who sang lovely tunes that caused sailors to crash their ships into
rocks and sink. Irish mermaids, known as "merrows" and dating back 1,000 years, were similarly thought
to be a terrible omen.

Mermaid bodies have been envisioned in a variety of ways in various locations. A fabled Japanese
mermaid known as a "ningyo" has a human face but is primarily a fish. Perhaps you've seen "Ponyo," an
animated film about a goldfish with a little girl's face? Mermaids with two fish tails were known as
"melusines" in Europe.

Mermaid stories differed based on where and when they were recounted. Only a few, such as Ariel and
Ponyo, are about mermaids who fall in love and wish to be human. For example, in the children's book
"Mermaids From Mars," mermaids have used up all the water on Mars and have come to Earth to teach
people about water conservation.

Mermaids were employed as emblems of power and prosperity in many countries. For example, in
Warsaw, Poland, there is a legend about a mermaid who is said to be the city's defender. There's a
gigantic statue of her there, and she's even on the coat of arms of the city. Even in nations without
coastlines, such as Austria, many castles in Europe include mermaid motifs to represent royal power and
wealth.
Could there be a scientific basis for the mermaid stories?
Human-sized water animals like manatees and dugongs, according to some academics, may have
inspired merfolk legends. These creatures feature a flat, mermaid-like tail and two stubby arms-like
flippers. Of course, they don't seem like a traditional mermaid or merman, but many sightings were
from afar, and because they were mostly submerged in water and waves, just sections of their bodies
were visible. Identifying animals in water is difficult by definition, because eyewitnesses only see a small
portion of the species. When you consider the low light at sunset and the distances involved, even a
well-known creature can be difficult to identify.

Mermaid sightings in modern times are extremely unusual, although they do happen; for example, in
2009, news sources stated that a mermaid had been spotted off the coast of Israel near the town of
Kiryat Yam. Just before sundown, it (or she) performed a few tricks for bystanders before departing for
the night. Shlomo Cohen, one of the first persons to view the mermaid, stated, "I was out with friends
when we noticed a strange woman laying on the sand. I assumed she was simply another sunbather
until she leapt into the ocean and vanished as we approached. We were all taken aback when we
noticed she had a tail." With their newfound renown, the town's tourism board offered a $1 million
reward to the first person to picture the creature. Unfortunately, the reports vanished nearly as quickly
as they appeared, and the award was never claimed.

Evidence Against Mermaids

There has never been any real proof that mermaids exist throughout history. This implies there will be
no bones, secret civilizations, or human-mermaid meetings. "No proof of aquatic humanoids has ever
been uncovered," according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which
is part of the US Department of Commerce (Source: NOAA).

Conclusion: Are mermaids real?

Finally, the answer is no. There is no compelling evidence to support the existence of mermaids. Despite
this, many people will continue to believe that mermaids live beneath the seas someplace out there.

FAQs
Where can you find mermaids?

Mermaids, according to legend, live in bodies of water all throughout the world. They are significantly
more common in large bodies of water than in smaller bodies of water. However, there are legends of
merpeople inhabiting lakes and rivers.

Where did mermaids originate?

Mermaid legends stretch back to roughly 1,000 BC, with stories coming from Assyria. However, these
aren't the only stories. Many diverse civilizations have their own interpretations of mermaid tales.
How big is a mermaid?

Mermaids are depicted in most stories in a wide range of sizes, much like humans. Others, on the other
hand, characterize them as much larger or smaller than humans.

What are the mermaid’s powers?

Some mermaids can shapeshift, control nature, read minds, fly, and turn invisible, depending on the
myth. Most stories depicted them conversing with sea creatures, singing wonderfully, and being quite
lovely.

What do you think a mermaid would eat?

Mermaids are said to eat fish, sea vegetables, and other sea-dwelling foods in legends and writers'
imaginations. Humans have been known to share their food with mermaids.