The mystery of mermaids dates back to the first written accounts of humanity, but how much do we actually know about these mythical sea creatures?  

Sea maidens (and sometimes men) can be found in folklore and mythology from every tradition and culture globally - from Ireland to the landlocked Karoo desert in South Africa. The English word mermaid is a compound of "mere" (Old English for sea) and "maid" (a girl or young woman). 

Greek mythology contains stories of the god Poseidon (known as Neptune in Roman Mythology) as the merman messenger of the sea. In ancient Greece, sirens were the more infamous cousins of the generally friendly mermaids, often luring sailors to their doom.

The symbol of the mermaid is as changeable as the sea itself. In some cultures, the mermaid signifies life and fertility within the ocean. In others, she embodies the destructive nature of the water, luring sailors to their deaths — serving as an omen for storms, wild seas, and disaster. 

Mermaid tales may be ancient, but they are still with us in many forms. Their images can be found in art, puzzles, books, Disney movies, Starbucks — and maybe even in the ocean waves if we look close enough.