9 Mermaid Myths From Around The World

The Orkney Islands have stories about the malevolent creatures called finfolk. They could come and go as they pleased between the ocean and land and they could shape-shift at will. Their fish-like fins would be disguised while on land so it looked like they were wearing flowing clothing. They were also sorcerers who could control the sea and storms, and they could handle a boat perfectly.

Usually the finfolk spent the winters in Finfolkaheem - their city that was believed to be on the bottom of the ocean. In the summers they would live on the magical, vanishing island called Hildaland.

They were greatly feared as they would often kidnap mortals. Those who were taken would be forced to live out the rest of their life as the spouse of a finfolk. The women were especially prone to kidnapping humans. Initially they were supposed to be beautiful women with long golden hair and a fishtail. If they married a mortal man they would become a beautiful mortal woman. However, if not, they were forced to marry a man of the finfolk. They would then slowly grow extremely ugly and were forced to live on land and acquire silver for their husband.