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!
Do you love mermaids?
If you made it all the way down, you probably do. Well, we made a merm-themed board game called ‘The Sound of Sirens’ and want to share it with everyone!
- download the PDF files with all the cards and rules
- cut the cards and play
- tell us what you think