IntroductionMermaids are considered something mythological or non-existent, yet there are many stories about them. It’s something that society has decided doesn’t exist. Mermaids are mythical creatures that live in the sea. According to popular belief, mermaids were half human and half fish. Men are attracted to them because of their beauty and voice (Littleton 418). Mermaids are the female version and Mermen are the male version. Many legends and myths about mermaids come from many different places around the world, each carrying their own version of the myth. Another commonly used term for mermaid is mermaid. Mermaids are often a visual representation of powerful water spirits. Manatees and dugongs are often mistaken for mermaids. For example, in 1493, while Columbus was sailing to Haiti, he claimed to have seen three mermaids, but they were "not as pretty as they are represented, for somehow they look like men” (“Becoming mermaids”). Mermaids are depicted in many forms of entertainment, from folklore to art to modern media. Mermaids have been a myth for many centuries and today are a popular subject used in modern entertainment and media such as television shows and films. What Mami Wata and Lasirèn Have in CommonThe folklore of mermaids that comes from various places in Europe, Africa and the Americas have tiny details in common. The mermaids all wear combs and mirrors. This detail is transported from Europe to Africa, then to the Americas via merchants and slaves. A famous myth involving mermaids is that of Mami Wata, a popular and powerful African water spirit, who is often depicted as a mermaid. She often drowned those who disobeyed her, and as well as causing confusion, illness and visions middle of paper...... there is no solid proof if they actually exist or not, it is true. Is it so wrong to let children use their imagination and dream that mermaids exist? Works Cited “Becoming Mermaids”. American Museum of Natural History. American Museum of Natural History, nd Web. December 2, 2013.Bonnie L. “Mermaids and myths, Djullanar the daughter of the sea.” HubPages. Hubpages, July 23, 2013. Web. December 4, 2013. Littleton, C. Scott. “Sirens”. The World Book Encyclopedia. Flight. 13. World Book: Chicago, IL, 2010. 418. Print.NS Gill. “Art scenes based on the Odyssey.” About.com: Ancient/classical history. About.com, 2013. Web. December 4, 2013.Peterson, Brenda. “Interview with a Mermaid.” Huff Post Books. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 2013.Web. December 8, 2013 Sara. “All about mermaids: myths, legends and pop culture.” Novice novel. Wordpress.com, October 13. 2010. Internet. December 8. 2013.