In folklore, a mermaid is an aquatic creature with the head and upper body of a female human and the tail of a fish. Mermaids appear in the folklore of many cultures worldwide, including Europe, Latin
The Fisherman and the Syren, by Frederic Leighton, c. 1856–1858
Siren and onocentaur.―Bern Physiologus. Berner Burgerbibliothek, Cod. 281, fol. 13v
Siren in a Second Family bestiary―British Library MS Add. 11283, fol. 20v.
In Greek mythology, the Nereids or Nereides are sea nymphs, the 50 daughters of the 'Old Man of the Sea' Nereus and the Oceanid Doris, sisters to their brother Nerites. They often accompany Poseidon,
A Roman marble sarcophagus depicting Nereids carrying arms, Vatican Museums
French Empire mantel clock (1822) depicting the nereid Galatea velificans
Nereid riding a sea-bull (latter 2nd century BC)
The Nereid Monument. From Xanthos (Lycia), modern-day Antalya Province, Turkey. 390–380 BC. Room 17, the British Museum, London