A mermaid is a mythical creature that is half human and half fish. Mermaids are depicted as beautiful maidens with the tail of a fish. They live in the ocean and are known for their enchanting singing voices. A mermaid with wings would essentially be a mermaid that also has wings, allowing her to fly. But does such a creature have a specific name? In this article, we will examine the mythology behind mermaids and discuss what a winged mermaid could be called.
Mermaid Mythology
Mermaids have been part of folklore and mythology for thousands of years. They are featured prominently in Greek, British, Irish, Scandinavian, African, and Asian mythology. The first known mermaid stories appeared in ancient Assyria, where the goddess Atargatis transformed herself into a mermaid. Mermaids were thought to be omens of disaster.
In British folklore, mermaids were believed to foretell storms and wrecks. There are also tales of mermaids falling in love with humans and living out their lives with them on land. Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale “The Little Mermaid” popularized mermaids in the Western world. In the Caribbean and West Africa, mermaids are associated with water spirits. Mermaids continue to captivate popular culture through movies, books, and television shows.
Winged Mermaids
While traditional mermaid mythology features mermaids without wings, some more modern adaptations have imagined mermaids with wings. What would a mermaid with wings be called? There are a few possibilities:
Sea Fairy
A sea fairy is a type of fairy associated with bodies of water like oceans, lakes, and rivers. Just like a traditional fairy has wings and can fly, a sea fairy has a fish tail and lives underwater. So a mermaid with wings could be considered a specific type of sea fairy. The term “sea fairy” helps connect the creature back to fairy mythology.
Siren
In Greek mythology, sirens were bird-women who lured sailors to their death with their enchanting singing. Sirens had the bodies of birds and human heads and faces. Later depictions showed sirens as mermaids. So the word siren could potentially apply to a winged mermaid creature. However, sirens have an ominous, destructive connotation.
Merfairy or Merfae
Combining the words “mermaid” and “fairy,” merfairy or merfae are fan-created terms for a winged mermaid. These words blend the magical, whimsical nature of fairies with the ocean-dwelling mermaid. Merfairy puts emphasis on the fairy side, while merfae highlights the mermaid roots. Both effectively capture the hybrid nature of this mythical creature.
Parallels in Mythology
While not specifically named in traditional folklore, winged mermaids share similarities with other mythical hybrid creatures:
Harpy
In Greek mythology, harpies were winged female spirits that had sharp claws and sometimes had the lower body of a bird. Harpies were known for stealing food and carrying evildoers to the underworld. They share some parallels with winged mermaids as flying hybrid creatures.
Siren
As mentioned earlier, some depictions show sirens as having wings and fish tails. The siren is probably the closest analogue to a winged mermaid in historical mythology. However, sirens are portrayed as dangerous, which differs from typical mermaid mythology.
Melusine
Melusine is a figure from European folklore, sometimes depicted as a female winged serpent or mermaid. She is considered a spirit of fresh waters. Melusine shares similarities to winged mermaids as a hybrid water creature.
Possible Origins
Winged mermaids largely originated in modern fiction rather than historical mythology. What inspired these inventive interpretations? Here are some possible origins:
Artistic Interpretation
Many artists and illustrators have drawn or painted mermaids with wings without adhering strictly to traditional folklore. Creative license allows for new variations on mythical creatures. Wings were likely added to mermaids to appear more fantastical.
Angels and Fairies
Angels and fairies are winged human-like creatures. Giving mermaids wings may have been inspired by parallels to angels and fairies. It mixes traits of flying humanoids with mermaids.
Hybrid Creatures
Mythology features many hybrid creatures like griffins, sphinxes, and centaurs that blend animal and human features. Winged mermaids continue this tradition of imaginary hybrids. Adding wings allows mermaids to inhabit both air and sea.
Escapism
Mermaids represent escapism from mundane human life. Wings give mermaids greater flight and freedom. A winged mermaid can fully leave the earthly world behind and soar to new heights.
Symbolic Meaning
What could winged mermaids represent symbolically? Here are some potential symbolic meanings:
Duality
Winged mermaids fuse two contradictory realms (air/water, bird/fish). This represents the dualistic aspects contained in each woman. Wings give mermaids greater duality.
Transformation
Mermaids transform from fish to human. Wings represent a second transformation from sea creature to flying creature. This symbolizes the transformative potential of women.
Freedom
Mermaids are free from many rules and constraints of human society. Wings represent limitless freedom to soar above earthly restrictions. Winged mermaids epitomize boundless female freedom.
Divinity
Divine creatures like angels and fairies are depicted with wings. Giving mermaids wings elevates them to a more divine status and associates them with higher realms. The wings signify transcendence.
Magic
Mermaids possess magical powers over water. Wings would give mermaids greater access to the magical elements of wind, air, and sky. This represents women’s inherent magical gifts and intuition.
In Popular Culture
While not found in ancient folklore, winged mermaids have gained popularity in modern fiction:
Peter Pan
In J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan stories, Neverland is home to mermaids who swim in the lagoon. The mermaids are mischievous and vain. The 2003 Peter Pan film adaptation depicted the Neverland mermaids with wings.
Sailor Moon
In the Sailor Moon anime series, some of the Sailor Soldiers have winged mermaid-like forms. For instance, Sailor Neptune’s powers involve the sea, and she wears translucent green wings in her Super form.
The Little Mermaid
Some fan art and dolls have imagined the Little Mermaid Ariel with wings. While not in the original story, wings allow Ariel to fly around land after becoming human. The wings nod to her mermaid origins.
Starbucks
The Starbucks coffee logo famously features a twin-tailed mermaid, modeled after a 16th century Norse woodcut. While wingless in the original logo, some Starbucks store displays and merchandise have playfully depicted the logo mermaid with wings.
H2O: Just Add Water
This Australian TV show follows three teenage girls who transform into mermaids. In the spin-off series Mako: Island of Secrets, the character Rita gains wings along with her mermaid powers after overcoming her fear.
In Literature
Winged mermaids have surfaced in various literary works:
Peter and Wendy by J.M. Barrie
As mentioned, this novel introduces winged mermaids living in Neverland that are vain and mischievous but also wary of Captain Hook. They try to drown Wendy and are ultimately banished by Peter Pan.
Coin Locker Babies by Ryu Murakami
This coming-of-age novel features Kiku, a young female character who transforms into a winged mermaid and flies away, representing freedom and transcendence from hardship.
The Winged Mermaid by Matt Johnson
This children’s book follows a mermaid named Shelly who drinks a magic potion that gives her butterfly wings. She explores life above the waves. The book playfully examines themes of belonging and transformation.
Mermaid Wings by Shira Glassman
In this fantasy romance novel, Queen Galia finds herself transformed into a mermaid with glittering wings after a curse. The book explores LGBTQ themes as the queen navigates life as a mer-fairy.
Mer by K.M. Shea
The protagonist Seren trades her wings for a mermaid tail, combining mythical creatures. This fantasy story examines the merfolk and faerie realms through the lens of a winged mermaid character.
Possible Powers and Abilities
What special powers and abilities might a winged mermaid possess?
Flight
With wings, mermaids could fly high up in the air, giving them a bird’s eye view and the ability to travel over long distances quickly. Their wings would likely be strong enough to support gliding and short bursts of flight.
Air Manipulation
In addition to controlling water, they may have some command over air and wind, allowing them to create gusts, whirlwinds, fog, and mist. This air magic synergizes with their hydrokinetic abilities.
Transformation
They might have the power to transform their tails into legs when on land, similar to legends of mermaids. With wings, the transformation ability could also include shifting their wings into arms or making them disappear.
Enhanced Swimming
Wings could act as aquatic flippers, making them faster and more agile swimmers. The added propulsion allows them to power through the water using both their wings and tail.
Siren Song
Winged mermaids may retain the magical singing voice that allows mermaids to control and enchant people. Their voices combined with their air powers could give them greater influence over humans.
Animal Communication
They could potentially speak to and command creatures of both the sea (fish, dolphins, crabs) and air (birds, bats, insects). Their domain over both elements gives them an animalistic connection.
Healing Powers
As mythical creatures closely tied to nature, they may have healing powers over plants, animals, and the human body. This would allow them to mend injuries, cure ailments, and purify pollution.
Conclusion
While not specifically named in traditional mythology, a mermaid with wings can be referred to as a sea fairy, merfairy, merfae, or siren. These imaginative creatures likely originated from artistic reinterpretations of folklore and build on parallels with divine winged beings. Winged mermaids symbolize transformation, freedom, and the magical dual nature of women. They continue capturing popular imagination through modern media like books, TV, and movies. If they existed, they would possess a remarkable combination of hydrokinetic, aerokinetic, and magical abilities. Winged mermaids remain icons of boundless fantasy and the transcendent power of the mystical feminine.