Mermaids and witches are both fascinating and mythical beings that have captured the imagination of people for centuries. In various folklore and legends, these two mystical creatures have been combined to create the intriguing concept of mermaid witches. In popular culture, mermaids are often depicted as beautiful creatures with the upper body of a human and the lower body of a fish. They are known for their enchanting voices and ability to lure sailors to their demise. Witches, on the other hand, are seen as powerful individuals who possess magical abilities and are often associated with sorcery and spells. The idea of mermaids with magical powers is not new.
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The main character, Alex Daniels has just left the big city and a stressful job for the normalcy of a small town and the love and support of her last remaining family Hallmark, anyone. Albright also observed that the shrine of Atargatis in Ashkelon was celebrated each spring with a procession to the sea, where men and women probably bathed together and the lascivious held a carnival.
The idea of mermaids with magical powers is not new. In fact, this concept can be traced back to ancient mythology. In Greek mythology, for example, the Sirens were a group of creatures who were half-woman and half-bird.
Introducing The Mermaid Of Warsaw
Okay, let’s back up a bit. I’ve written a cozy mystery set on the beach in North Carolina (sounds normal so far, yes?). The main character, Alex Daniels has just left the big city and a stressful job for the normalcy of a small town and the love and support of her last remaining family (Hallmark, anyone?). Still basic cozy mystery fare, right? And… they own an herbal apothecary. So cozy! I know that’s what your thinking…
There are… mermaids.
Yes! Mermaids! How awesome is that? Wait, why you ask are there mermaids?
I am so glad you asked! Because that gives me the opportunity to share my inspiration for this series.
Like most countries, Poland has a rich cultural and literary history full of myths, fables, folklore and fairytales. I did a deep dive into Polish folklore, with the explicit plan to find an idea for my Polish family cozy. I wanted something interesting and fun – and if it could be something never done before – all the better. When I discovered that Warsaw has a mermaid on their coat of arms since at least 1390 AD, I had to find out why.
So first, let’s get our terminology correct. In Poland, mermaids are called syrenka or syrena, obviously derived from Greek mythology’s sirens. However, according to lore, Warswaw’s mermaid is more mermaid, less luring-sailors-to-their watery-grave siren. And this mermaid has been the symbol for Warsaw for a very long time.
Except when she wasn’t.
A mythological being has been on Warsaw’s coat of arms since 1390. Not a mermaid, but an animal with bird’s legs and a torso covered with dragon scales – a griffin actually (and that’s a whole other story!). The seal of 1459 had feminine characteristics, a bird torso, human hands, a fishtail, and bird legs and claws. The first appearance of a mermaid dates from 1622.
There are many different legends about the mermaid of Warsaw and I have read them all. After doing endless hours of research and cross-referencing similar myths in other countries (basically, every country and culture has some sort of mermaid mythology) I selected one that resonated with me the most. And that is the story used in the Enchanted Bay series, and the one I will share with you here.
Mermaid of Warsaw, Near the Swietokrzyski Bridge
Once upon a time, there were two mermaids, sisters. Swimming in the Baltic Sea they parted ways at Gdańsk, with one swimming to Copenhagen (immortalized in Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale, The Little Mermaid), and the other to Poland’s Vistula River.
The Vistula river is long, the longest in Poland and after days of languidly swimming down the waterway, the mermaid found an area that she loved and wanted to make her new home. This area, then only a village would eventually become Warsaw.
She spent her days sunning herself on large rocks in the river and sometimes on its banks. She amused herself by singing songs of her people and, because she was kind and compassionate, releasing fish from nets whenever she heard their cries for help.
One day a small group of fishermen discovered who was releasing their fish from its nets, and they conspired to sneak upon her and trap her in a net, just as they would their fish. But once they were close enough to see her face and form, and hear her lovely voice, they decided to let her be.
A few more days passed, and eventually, a local fish market owner noticed that the fishermen weren’t bringing in fish for him to sell. He discovered for himself, for the mermaid was easily seen on the banks of the river. The market owner riled up the fishermen, telling them that she was evil, a danger to the villagers and that she must be imprisoned. The market owner caught the mermaid and kept her in a prison with a plan to take her on tour for curiosity seekers.
The mermaid cried for her freedom day and night. And just as she had freed fish from their net, she hoped someone would hear her pleas and liberate her. A few days passed and a young fisherman heard her crying. He asked his friends to help free here and they released her from her prison.
After her rescue, she was so grateful to the kind men that she promised to help the people of the city whenever they needed it. From then on, because she was just as loyal and protective of those she loved, as she was kind and caring, she carried a sword and shield with her ever ready to protect the city of Warsaw and its people.
Mermaid of Warsaw, Old Town Warsaw
That is the myth of the mermaid of Warsaw. From that humble story over a thousand years old, her statue is placed all of the city to this day, you can buy mugs, t-shirts and all sorts of tchotchkes with her image on it. You can find her image engraved on the city’s architecture and inside government buildings. And you can read about her in my mystery, A Spell For Trouble.
The first story in the series is… not as mermaid-tastic as you might think or want (the publisher asked me to tone down the mermaid elements. I know! Right. ) So, this mermaid’s descendants are… water witches with powers of healing and command of water and other fun stuff. But don’t fret, the myth of this mermaid is central to the store. And there’s much more mermaid-magic to come!
Oh. And there’s a mystery. So, a cozy mystery with paranormal elements, a beach setting, herbal remedies and lots of Polish food. Basically exactly what I wanted to create when I set out to write this novel.
You can purchase the series here.
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They possessed the ability to enchant sailors with their songs and lead them to their deaths. In some versions of the mythology, the Sirens were said to be mermaids with powerful magical abilities. The combination of mermaids and witches can also be found in various folklore and legends from different parts of the world. In Irish mythology, there is a creature known as the Merrow, which is essentially a mermaid with supernatural powers. These Merrows were said to have the ability to shape-shift and control the sea. They were also known to possess a magical red cap, which allowed them to dive beneath the water without getting wet. In Scandinavian folklore, there is a similar creature called the Sea-Witch. These witches were believed to have the ability to control the elements and were often associated with storms and shipwrecks. They were said to have a deep connection to the sea and were known to use their magical powers to protect or harm sailors. In modern times, the concept of mermaid witches has been popularized and romanticized in literature and film. The character of Ursula in Disney's "The Little Mermaid" is a prime example of a mermaid witch. She is depicted as a powerful sorceress who uses her magic to manipulate and control others. The 2015 film "The Lighthouse" also features a mermaid witch, who is portrayed as a mysterious and dangerous creature. The legend of mermaid witches continues to captivate people's imaginations, as these mythical beings combine the allure of the sea with the intrigue of magic and sorcery. Whether they are portrayed as enchanting and benevolent or sinister and malevolent, the concept of mermaid witches is a testament to the enduring appeal of these mythical creatures..
Reviews for "The Symbolism of Mermaid Witches: Tales of Feminine Power and Freedom"
1. Jessica - 1/5 stars - I was really disappointed in "Mermaid witch legends". The plot was confusing and the characters felt underdeveloped. I also found the writing style to be dull and uninspiring. I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating fantasy read.
2. Thomas - 2/5 stars - "Mermaid witch legends" was an average read for me. While the concept of mermaid witches was interesting, the execution lacked depth and creativity. I felt like the story was rushed and the world-building was minimal. The protagonist was also quite bland and lacked the complexity that I was hoping for. Overall, it was an okay book, but it didn't leave a lasting impression.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I had high expectations for "Mermaid witch legends", but unfortunately, it didn't meet them. The pacing of the story was off, with moments of intense action followed by long periods of monotony. The dialogues felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to connect with the characters. The overall plot also lacked originality and felt predictable. I would recommend skipping this book if you're looking for a truly immersive and engaging fantasy read.
4. Alex - 2/5 stars - "Mermaid witch legends" was a letdown for me. The writing style was overly descriptive, and it felt like the author was trying too hard to paint a vivid picture. However, this ended up slowing down the pace of the story and making it feel tedious to read. The characters were also one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult to empathize or connect with them. Overall, it was a disappointing read that didn't live up to its potential.