If you’re like us, you’ve probably wondered “Are mermaids real?” Well, the definite answer is “Absolutely, no doubt about it!”

Here’s some proof.

First ask yourself: if it swims like a mermaid, looks, thinks, and feels like a mermaid, then who is to say it’s NOT a real mermaid… whether the mermaid tail is prosthetic or not.

There is a thriving, worldwide community of individuals who identify as mermaid, merman or other type of mer. Some are artists, some are paid entertainers. But most are people who truly identify as mermaids, at least in part, and try to live their lives as aquatic nymphs through mermaiding (yes that’s a word, check wikipedia if you don’t believe us)

It’s more than just putting on mermaid tails and going for a swim. Costumes are often elaborate, adorned with aquatic jewelry, and conceptually backed up by origin stories. No matter your stance on mermaidry, there’s no denying the artistry and devotion involved.

Real mermaids are real people

Because these are real people, with real bodies, there’s a fantastic diversity of shapes, form and fashion, far removed from Ariel’s mermaid clone army. And why shouldn’t there be? Considering the almost alien life forms we’ve discovered in the tiny portion of the ocean we actually explored so far, no idea would seem too outlandish (out-see-ish?).

Now, we don’t have any mermaids here at Monkeyshine Games, we’re just making a mer-themed board game. We landlubbers gladly step aside to let some real mermaids and mermen shine. Here are just a few, in no particular order:

Mermaid Celine

location: Belgium

photo credit: focuslive.be

Mermaid Victoria

location: Canada

photo credit: Adam O’Brien

Mermaid Skye

location: Virginia (USA)

photo credit: Underwater Mermaids

Merman Thommy

location: California (USA)

photo credit: face_me_916

Merman Tempest

location: California (USA)

photo credit: mojophoto59

Mermaid Raina

location: Canada

Mermaid Syphira

Mermaid Storm

location: Hawaii (USA)

Nymphia: The Nautilus Mermaid

location: California (USA)

photo credit: dancinglonewolf

Merman Andrew

Merman Mat

location: Thailand

Mermaid Marla

location: California (USA)

Mermaid Malena

location: Virginia (USA)

Mermaid Lexie

location: France

photo credit: Jerome Mirande

Merman Jax

location: California (USA)

photo credit: Los Angeles Mermaid

Merman Isura

Hawaiian Merman

location: Hawaii (USA)

Mermaid Ginger

location: Nevada (USA)

Mermaid Faline

location: Netherlands

photo credit: Maurice v/d Graaf

Mermaid Equa

location: Maryland (USA)

Mermaid Dottie

location: Utah (USA)

Dante All Dente

location: Indonesia

Merman Chris

location: Florida (USA)

photo credit: lisa_strasser2000

Merman Atlas

location: Germany

Merman Arjun

Mermaid Anna Kaminski

location: Germany

photo credit: Matthias Endig

Aden, le Triton

location: France

As they say, there’s plenty of fish in the sea! But this school looks particularly magnificent if you ask us. If you know of other real merms that should be included here, drop us a line and we’ll make it happen.

If you want to know more about the mermaid-inspired board game we made, check out The Sound Of Sirens page.  Or enter your email below and you’ll get the PDF version for free. Happy swimming!