Comment on Reverse Mermaid š§āāļøš
themeatbridge@lemmy.world āØ10ā© āØhoursā© ago
Because thereās no sea creature that looks like a fish head with human legs. Manatees look like human torsos with fish legs. If you see a manatee from above the water, youāll understand why a sailor might think they saw a mermaid. All mythological creatures sort of resemble real animals.
Jas@lemmy.zip āØ9ā© āØhoursā© ago
Yeah, in reality, mythological creatures often borrow traits from real animals. Sailors were seeing manatees or dugongs from above round head, arm-like flippers, a swishing tail and their brains filled in the rest. Add months at sea, bad lighting, and a little wishful thinkingā¦ and suddenly, mermaids exist.