The Real Life Whale Mermaid
The world will continue to debate for many years to come about the existence (or nonexistence) of mermaids. Regardless of your side, it’s hard to deny the striking similarities between traditional mermaid images and this photograph of a beluga whale. Graceful, elegant, and disturbingly human-like, this whale seems to have a tail and human-like legs, although they appear stuck within the tail itself.
Maybe the original imagery for all mermaids was based on seeing a few beluga whales from this particular angle! The uncanny resemblance between the whale and mermaid legends sparks intriguing questions about the source of mermaid folklore. Could these magnificent creatures inspire centuries of mythical tales, their graceful appearance fueling the imagination of sailors and storytellers alike?