Children of the sea

[Merman Craig (Delphinar)]

In myths and legends, merfolk were said to be the "Children of Poseidon". Do you think that's true? Or are we just children of the sea?

[Joy&RaptorsUnrestrained!]

That last question "Or are we just children of the sea" isn't really rational. Greek gods were anthropomorphic, yes, but they were also names for natural (and emotional/mental/spiritual) forces. Gaea was both the land beneath your feet and the mother/ancestor of just about all the other gods and goddesses and titans and monsters. Similarly, Coyote in Native American legend is described as having human physical traits in nearly the same breath as descriptions of his canine features. Gods aren't just rulers over something... they ARE that something. Poseidon IS the sea (and earthquakes). Aphrodite is sexual attraction. Ares is war. Therefore, asking if merfolk are children of Poseidon is saying that they're children of the sea.

As for whether that's true or not, it is true that Poseidon (and Neptune) is a lasting, engaging image, and is perhaps the most well-known of all sea gods (and goddesses). There is something about the figure of a trident-wielding lord of the sea that resonates with something in us, and ancient Greco-Roman art and architecture are certainly appealing to the senses, and make appealing backdrops for sunken mer-cities and palaces.

However, there are other sea and fish gods and goddesses, including Atargatis, Enki, La Sirene/Mami Wata, Ryujin, Kamohoali'i, Manannan Mac Lir, Sedna, Tlaloc, Hapi, Nereus, Oceanus, Aegir & Ran, not to mention beings such as Melusine, The Lady of the Lake, Glaucus, and others. Even superheroes like Aquaman, Namor, Darkstalker's Rikuo, and Fathom's Aspen have taken on qualities reminiscent of gods and goddesses. There are even stories about mermaids following christian traditions. Belief in or choice of a patron god or goddess is more of a personal choice, dependent upon your life, culture, heritage, and feelings at the moment.

However, you're talking about divine heritage for merfolk... logic suggests that there'd have to be some supernatural element in a merman's (or mermaid's) ancestors in order to support a body that was half human and half fish. But there is a sliver of the divine in all humans as well. It's more about what we do with it and how we view it that determines the nature of that fraction of infinity.