Major Supernatural Events in Chinese Folk Legends.

Summary

Throughout history, mermaids have captivated human imagination, often depicted as beautiful beings with human torsos and fish tails. Traditionally, they are thought to be based on dugongs, marine mammals that nurse their young in water. Tales of merfolk include a sorrowful sea maiden whose tears become pearls after losing her love in war. Reports of mermaid sightings have persisted, including a notable incident in 1980 when a captured mermaid mysteriously vanished. In 1962, a Soviet team encountered a mermaid during a shipwreck recovery, hinting at a possible underwater civilization. Recent fossil discoveries suggest mermaids existed over 12,000 years ago, fueling speculation about their origins as extraterrestrial beings. Ancient texts also reference humanoid fish people, further intertwining myth with potential reality. The mystery of mermaids continues to enchant researchers and dreamers alike.

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