Introduction Mermaids are seen as something mythological or non-existent, yet there are many stories about them. They are something that society has decided doesn't exist. Mermaids are mythical creatures that live in the sea. According to popular belief, mermaids were half man 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 of the legends and myths about mermaids come from many different places around the world, each with their own version of the myth. Another common term used for mermaid is the term mermaid. Mermaids are often a visual representation of powerful water spirits. Manatees and dugongs are often mistaken for mermaids. For example, in 1493, when Columbus was sailing to Haiti, he claimed to have seen three mermaids, but “they were not so beautiful as they are portrayed, for they somehow 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 are now a popular subject used for entertainment and modern media such as television programs and films. Elements in common between Mami Wata and LasirènThe mermaid folklore that comes from various places in Europe, Africa and the Americas has small details in common. All mermaids carry combs and mirrors. This detail is transported from Europe to Africa, and then to the Americas through merchants and slaves. A famous myth involving mermaids is Mami Wata, a popular and powerful African water spirit, who is often depicted as a mermaid. She often drowned those who disobeyed her and, in addition to causing confusion, illness and visions in... middle of paper... although there is no concrete evidence whether they actually exist or not, it is 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, n.d. Web. 2 December 2013. Bonnie L. “Mermaids and Myths, Djullanar the Sea Girl.” HubPages. Hubpages, July 23, 2013. Web. December 4, 2013. Littleton, C. Scott. "Mermaids." The World Book Encyclopedia. vol. 13. World Book: Chicago, IL, 2010. 418. Print.NS Gill. “Scenes in Art 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. 8 December 2013Sara. "All About Mermaids: Myths, Legends, and Pop Culture." New novice. Wordpress.com, 13 Oct. 2010. Network. 8 December. 2013.