Name Meaning
Ningyo (人魚) translates directly to “human fish.” Despite being similar to mermaids, they have unique traits in Japanese folklore.
- Nin (人) = Human
- Gyo (魚) = Fish
Origin
- Featured in early Japanese texts like the Nihon Shoki.
- Stories vary from harmless sea beings to cursed monsters.
- Believed to live in oceans and sometimes wash ashore during storms.
Appearance
- Fish-like body with a human face or upper body.
- Some tales describe them as grotesque, others as beautiful.
- Often depicted holding a comb or mirror.
Behavior & Myths
- Eating a Ningyo’s flesh is said to grant eternal youth or longevity.
- However, catching or harming one often brings storms or disaster.
- One famous story tells of Yao Bikuni, a woman who lived 800 years after eating Ningyo meat.
Symbolism
- Represents both life-giving and curse-bearing qualities of the sea.
- A cautionary figure tied to greed and curiosity.
- Symbol of unattainable beauty and forbidden knowledge.
