What mermaids really look like

Similar to people, merfolk come in different colors and different sizes.

In one of the earliest written reports of modern times, the 1608 log of Henry Hudson described a mermaid on his second voyage. Two of his crewmen, Thomas Hilles and Robert Rayner, saw her at about 71 degrees north in the Barrents Sea, near Norway.

On 15 June 1608, Hudson reported:

"...her skin was very white; and long haire hanging down behinde, of colour blacke; in her going downe they saw her tayle, which was like the tayle of a Porposse, and speckled like a Macrell."

This mermaid was not simply a walrus that had been mistaken by men too long at sea. In fact, just a few days later, they reported seeing walruses; if there had been confusion about the mermaid, the log would have clarified the earlier report.

In fact, there is considerable legend claiming that all "mermaid" sightings were fanciful visions by lonely or drunk sailors, who mistook manatees, seals, walruses, or other sea creatures for mermaids.

Anyone who's seen a manatee or walrus would raise an eyebrow at this explanation. When we examine these tales more closely, we see mermaid reports by men of unquestionable reputation.

Also contrary to popular opinion, the majority of documented sightings took place in the 19th century, when people were far more skeptical than their earlier counterparts.

Regardless of the era in which the merfolk were sighted, their descriptions are consistent, within specific categories:

Tiny merfolk - A small number of sightings report mermaids about the size of a well-fed three or four year old, or a figure approximately three feet tall. However, most accounts describe the merfolk in terms of adult human size.

Some have scales, some do not - Most reports are very specific about the mermaids' lower bodies having scales, as in Hudson's report above. However, some sightings are equally insistent that the mermaids were smooth, not scaled.

White merfolk - The majority of documented mermaid sightings refer to their skin as white, and often with very dark or black hair. The merfolk often have ruddy cheeks, and some accounts specifically mention blue eyes.

Green merfolk - Some references, including Ovid's "green daughters of the sea," speak of the mermaids and mermen having green skin. Others mention white skin but green hair, and/or green teeth or mouths.

Black or dark merfolk - Late 19th century sightings include mermaids with "dark complexions."

These descriptions may seem diverse, but each type of mermaid has been seen repeatedly and over many centuries. We need to consider that "mermaid" may be a general terms for a broad category of beings who share only the general description of "part human, part fish."

You may also be interested in the History of mermaids.

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