Cornish mermaids, merrymaids, half woman half fish, are known for sitting in rock pools combing their long salty hair, for being shy as fish ready to dive away, for luring unsuspecting lovers.
The mermaids of North and East Cornwall are wild and emotional, wielding the elements, they represent the changing character of the coast and ocean. Angry and vengeful they shift the sands.
West Cornwall’s mermaids are more sociable and better at negotiating with humans. Mermaid of Zennor falls in love with a local farm lad, she enchants him with her beautiful voice and he falls in love with her. Luty’s mermaid of Kynance Cove gives him the gift of charms to heal his community. Only Selina the changeling mermaid child from Perranporth takes revenge on her uncaring lover.
The nature of the mermaids is opposite to the nature of their sea: the west Cornish coast is wilder but the mermaids kinder, whilst angry mermaids swim near the calmer eastern shores.
‘Arenebi’ animated musical by Martha Woods, tells 3 mermaid tales from the maids point of view. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9ulVVBE_rM
