In Greek, mermaids are called Gorgones. They are creatures with the upper body of a woman, usually of exquisite beauty, and the lower part of the body that of a full-length scaly fishtail.
Living in the seabed, mermaids are often depicted as sitting on a protruding surface of sea rock basking in the sun. Of course, modern scientists try to demolish that lore by identifying different sea creatures as the source of the ancient beliefs.
One of the oldest folklore stories connected to ancient history is closely related to Alexander the Great and his step-sister Thessalonike.
The myth wants Thessalonike to have accidentally spilled the immortal water that Alexander the Great had acquired. Out of her grief, she asked the gods that she would never see her brother die and always live in the hope that he reigns.
The gods transformed her into a mermaid, and since then, she has returned to the seas and asked sailors, “Is King Alexander alive?”
As the legend goes, when the answer is positive, she creates smooth and calm seas to ensure the safe passage of the vessel and its sailors that replied.
On the contrary, when the answer is negative, she creates tempest and rough waters, which usually result in the demise and destruction of the vessel and its sailors.
Anyway, apart from that common and most prevailing belief, there are many others, like the one depicted in this painting by the Naif artist Themis Tsironis.
It seems that this fisherman has a loving relationship with his Gorgona, who is grateful for their relationship and helps him catch an abundant and rich catch of fish.
A careful look at the painting shows much of the Aegean Sea and the Greek islands in that area.
Article first published in Writing about Greece.
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