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|bgcolor1=
 
|bgcolor1=
 
|bgcolor2=
 
|bgcolor2=
|sentience=Sentient
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|sentience=[[Wikipedia:Wisdom#Sapience|Sentient]]
  +
|skin=Varies<ref name=FB>''[[Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (real)|Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them]]''</ref>
|skin=Grey scales
 
|eyes=Blood-shot yellow
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|eyes=Varies<ref name=FB />
|hair=*Green
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|hair=Varies<ref name=FB />
*Yellow
 
*Reddish
 
*Purple
 
 
|feathers=
 
|feathers=
|related=
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|related=*Sub-species
|native=[[Greece]]
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**[[Siren]]
  +
**[[Selkie]]
|alias=*Sirens
 
  +
**[[Merrow]]
*Selkies
 
  +
|native=Originally [[Greece]], now found worldwide<ref name=FB />
*Merrows
 
 
|alias=Mermaids
|height=Around 7 ft
 
  +
|height=Varies<ref name=FB />
 
|length=
 
|length=
 
|wingspan=
 
|wingspan=
|distinction=
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|distinction=*Fish-like attributes
  +
*Water-inhabitant
 
|affiliation=
 
|affiliation=
|class=XXXX
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|class=XXXX<ref name=FB />
|status=
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|status=[[Beast]] {{C|by choice}}
 
}}
 
}}
{{Quote|The oldest recorded merpeople were known as sirens (Greece) and it is in warmer waters that we find the beautiful mermaids for frequently depicted in Muggle literature and painting. The selkies of Scotland and the Merrows of Ireland are less beautiful, but they share that love of music which is common to all merpeople.|[[Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them]]}}
+
{{Quote|The oldest recorded merpeople were known as sirens (Greece) and it is in warmer waters that we find the beautiful mermaids more frequently depicted in Muggle literature and painting. The selkies of Scotland and the Merrows of Ireland are less beautiful, but they share that love of music which is common to all merpeople.|[[Newton Scamander]], ''[[Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them]]''|Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (real)}}
'''Merpeople''' are sentient beings (or beasts, as they want nothing to do with the likes of vampires and hags) that live underwater, and are found all over the world. Their customs and habits are mysterious, and, like the [[Centaur]]s, they refused [[Being]] status in favour of [[Beast]]. Merpeople can breathe above the waves for a time, but it is unclear if they can ever truly leave their habitat.
 
   
 
'''Merpeople''' are sentient [[beast]]s that live under[[water]], and are found all over the world. Their customs and habits are mysterious, and, like the [[centaur]]s, were offered the [[being]] status but refused in favour of beast, as they didn't want to be placed in a status with [[Hags]] and [[Vampires]]. Merpeople can breathe above the waves for a time, but it is unclear if they can ever truly leave their habitat.
Merpeople society is based around organised communities, and they have a great love of music. Their language is known as [[Mermish]], and only a few [[Wizards]] know how to speak it. However, since their language can only be heard properly underwater, it sounds like a loud screeching when spoken above water.
 
   
 
==Description==
 
==Description==
[[File:MermaidHP1.jpg|thumb|left|A selkie in the Hogwarts lake.]]
+
[[File:One_of_the_Merpeople_of_Hogwarts_Lake_(Concept_Artwork)~2.jpg|thumb|Selkie Mermaid in Hogwarts Lake.]]
The merpeople of [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts]] have greyish skin and long, wild, dark green hair. Their eyes are yellow, as are their broken teeth, and they wear thick ropes of pebbles around their necks as necklaces. Their powerful, silver fish tails allow them to swim expertly, while the upper parts of their bodies resemble those of humans. Merpeople are also very tall, and during the second task, [[Harry Potter|Harry]] encountered one in the lake near Hogwarts who was seven feet tall with a long green beard and a choker of shark fangs, carrying a spear. They have been known to keep [[Grindylow]]s as pets, and use [[Lobalug]]s as weapons. One tribe even managed to capture and domesticate a [[Hippocampus]].
+
{{Quote|Here and there at the dark windows, Harry saw faces...faces that bore no resemblance at all to the painting of the mermaid in the prefects’ bathroom... The merpeople had grayish skin and long, wild, dark green hair. Their eyes were yellow, as were their broken teeth, and they wore thick ropes of pebbles around their necks.|Harry Potter compares the selkies of Black Lake to a [[Portrait of a mermaid|portrait depicting their warmer watered cousins]].|Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire}}
  +
[[File:MermaidHP1.jpg|thumb|left|215px|A selkie in the Hogwarts lake.]]
  +
  +
Merpeople are creatures resembling half-[[human]], half-fish hybrids (though they are not, in actuality, [[half-breed]]s). Like humans, merpeople come in a variety of appearances,<ref name="FB" /> though colours uncommon in humans appear to be widespread in merpeople. For instance, the majority of the [[Black Lake Merpeople colony]] had green hair, yellow eyes, and grey skin, all traits that would be very uncommon, if not impossible, for a human to naturally possess. Merpeople also seem to be taller than humans, with seven feet appearing to not be an unusual height, at least for a [[selkie]].<ref name="GOF26">''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]'' - Chapter 26 (''The Second Task'')</ref>
  +
[[File:MermaidPainting.png|left|thumb|181x181px]]
  +
  +
Merpeople are divided up into various sub-species or races, depending on where they live. The earliest merpeople lived in [[Greece]], and were known as [[siren]]s. In modern times, those merpeople living in warmer waters take on a more beautiful appearance, while those in colder waters, such as the selkies of [[Scotland]] and the [[Merrow]]s of [[Ireland]], are less attractive.<ref name="FB" />
  +
  +
==Society and culture==
  +
[[File:YEMANJA RAINHA DO MAR (85).jpg|thumb|100px|A [[Portrait of a mermaid|portrait of a Siren]]]]
  +
Merpeople are a sapient species, and would qualify for full [[being]] status if they did not, as a race, reject the classification. Their exact level of intelligence as compared to humans is unknown, however, they possess many traits beyond those of mere animals. Merpeople have a developed language, [[Mermish]], and have even created music (which they are known, as a whole, to be fond of).
  +
  +
Evidence that the Merpeople have a thriving culture is that they live in highly organised communities, some containing elaborate dwellings made of stone, and have been known to domesticate creatures such as the [[Grindylow]], [[Hippocampus]], and [[Lobalug]] (the latter being used as makeshift weaponry).<ref name="FB" /> Other signs of their intelligence include jewellery and weapon making, production of art (both paintings and statues), and an ability to understand basic communication via gestures.<ref name="GOF26" />
   
 
==History==
 
==History==
  +
The merpeople date back to ancient [[Greece]], where they were first known as sirens. By the modern era, however, merpeople have spread worldwide.<ref name="FB" />
[[File:C.jpg|thumb|200px|A mermaid threatens [[Harry Potter]].]]
+
[[File:Tumblr_mt4y69qckd1qarxvjo8_250.gif|frame|left|A merperson threatens [[Harry Potter]]]]
They were used during the [[Triwizard Tournament]] of [[1994]]. A year later, [[Sirius Black]] revealed that [[Dolores Umbridge]] once requested the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry]] to have Merpeople rounded up and tagged, due to her hatred to [[half-breed]]s, though Merpeople are in fact a separate species of their own, not a mixed species between fish and human. Regardless of Umbridge's misunderstandings and hatred, this suggestion was never put into practice.
 
   
  +
The history of merpeople's relations with [[wizardkind]], or at least the wizarding [[Great Britain|British]] government, are somewhat rocky. [[Chief of the Wizards' Council|Chief]] [[Elfrida Clagg]] refused to accept merpeople as beings under her definition of the term as those who could "speak the human tongue", with Mermish not being considered adequate as it could not be understood above water. This decision upset both the merpeople and their allies the [[centaur]]s. Though they were allowed being status under [[Minister for Magic|Minister]] [[Grogan Stump]] revised [[1810s|1811]] definition of the term, they would eventually request to be treated as beasts once more, objecting to the fact that such Dark creatures as [[hag]]s and [[vampire]]s also claimed that status.<ref name="FB" />
==Sub-species==
 
[[File:Merwomanzv5.png|thumb|right|A depiction of a siren.]]
+
[[File:Yellow-mermaid~2.jpg|thumb|Female Selkie]]
  +
Despite being considered beasts at the time, a delegation of merpeople was persuaded to attend the [[1690s|1692]] summit of the [[International Confederation of Wizards]], where they would help decide what to do on the matter of hiding the existence of various magical creatures from [[Muggle]] comprehension.<ref name="FB" />
The term "Merpeople" is an umbrella term. There are several distinct sub-species around the world. '''Sirens '''of Greece are the earliest recorded Merpeople, and are often depicted in [[Muggle]] literature and paintings as beautiful women who sing to lure sailors to their deaths. The '''Selkies''' of Scotland, and the '''Merrows''' of Ireland, are less pleasing to the eye. However, despite their physical differences, they all retain their love of music.<ref>{{FB}}</ref>
 
  +
  +
At some point in the [[1800s]], [[Mirabella Plunkett]], a witch, fell in [[love]] with a [[Unidentified Merman|merman]] living in [[Loch Lomond]]. When her family disapproved of their marriage, she [[Transfiguration|Transfigured]] herself into a [[haddock]] and vanished.<ref>''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)]]''</ref>
  +
 
{{Main|Black Lake Merpeople colony}}
  +
A [[Black Lake Merpeople colony|colony]] of merpeople lived in the [[Black Lake]] on the grounds of [[Hogwarts Castle]]. These merpeople played a role in the history of [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry|Hogwarts School]], most notably consenting to be the major obstacles of the Second Task of the [[1994]] [[Triwizard Tournament]].
   
 
==Behind the scenes==
 
==Behind the scenes==
  +
[[File:Tumblr mzpvmv2DLo1ry0a8xo2 250.gif|thumb]]
 
*According to [[Wizards' Ordinary Magic and Basic Aptitude Test|W.O.M.B.A.T.]], it is possible that freshwater merpeople are less warlike than salt-water merpeople.
 
*According to [[Wizards' Ordinary Magic and Basic Aptitude Test|W.O.M.B.A.T.]], it is possible that freshwater merpeople are less warlike than salt-water merpeople.
 
*In ''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4]]'', the merpeople actually attack, whereas in the film and book they only confronted Harry when he tried to take more than his own hostage, but even then they only threatened to attack.
 
*In ''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4]]'', the merpeople actually attack, whereas in the film and book they only confronted Harry when he tried to take more than his own hostage, but even then they only threatened to attack.
 
*In the handheld versions of ''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7]]'', there are merpeople living in the [[Forest of Dean]] lake.
 
*In the handheld versions of ''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7]]'', there are merpeople living in the [[Forest of Dean]] lake.
*[[Mirabella Plunkett]] transfigured herself into a [[haddock]] after she was forbidden to marry a merman whom she was in love with.
 
*In [[Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince]], the merpeople are described to have purple hair. However, in the LEGO set, the merperson included has reddish (also decscribed as blood-red) hair. Also, in [[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)|the film]], the Merpeople's hair is more yellow than green.
 
   
 
==Appearances==
 
==Appearances==
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)]]''
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)]]''
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'' {{Mention}}
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'' {{Mention}}
  +
*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)]]'' {{Mention}}
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]''
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]''
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (video game)]]'' {{Mention}}
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (video game)]]'' {{Mention}}
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*''[[LEGO Harry Potter|Harry Potter LEGO Sets]]''
 
*''[[LEGO Harry Potter|Harry Potter LEGO Sets]]''
 
*''[[Pottermore]]''
 
*''[[Pottermore]]''
 
==See also==
 
* [[Black Lake Merpeople colony]]
 
   
 
==Notes and references==
 
==Notes and references==
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[[fi:Vedenväki]]
 
[[fi:Vedenväki]]
 
[[nl:Meermens]]
 
[[nl:Meermens]]
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[[pl:Tryton]]
   
 
{{Creatures by classification}}
 
{{Creatures by classification}}
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[[Category:Merpeople| ]]
 
[[Category:Merpeople| ]]
 
[[Category:XXXX Creatures]]
 
[[Category:XXXX Creatures]]
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[[Category:Creatures]]

Revision as of 05:48, 26 July 2015

"The oldest recorded merpeople were known as sirens (Greece) and it is in warmer waters that we find the beautiful mermaids more frequently depicted in Muggle literature and painting. The selkies of Scotland and the Merrows of Ireland are less beautiful, but they share that love of music which is common to all merpeople."
Newton Scamander, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them[src]

Merpeople are sentient beasts that live underwater, and are found all over the world. Their customs and habits are mysterious, and, like the centaurs, were offered the being status but refused in favour of beast, as they didn't want to be placed in a status with Hags and Vampires. Merpeople can breathe above the waves for a time, but it is unclear if they can ever truly leave their habitat.

Description

One of the Merpeople of Hogwarts Lake (Concept Artwork)~2

Selkie Mermaid in Hogwarts Lake.

"Here and there at the dark windows, Harry saw faces...faces that bore no resemblance at all to the painting of the mermaid in the prefects’ bathroom... The merpeople had grayish skin and long, wild, dark green hair. Their eyes were yellow, as were their broken teeth, and they wore thick ropes of pebbles around their necks."
— Harry Potter compares the selkies of Black Lake to a portrait depicting their warmer watered cousins.[src]
MermaidHP1

A selkie in the Hogwarts lake.

Merpeople are creatures resembling half-human, half-fish hybrids (though they are not, in actuality, half-breeds). Like humans, merpeople come in a variety of appearances,[1] though colours uncommon in humans appear to be widespread in merpeople. For instance, the majority of the Black Lake Merpeople colony had green hair, yellow eyes, and grey skin, all traits that would be very uncommon, if not impossible, for a human to naturally possess. Merpeople also seem to be taller than humans, with seven feet appearing to not be an unusual height, at least for a selkie.[2]

MermaidPainting

Merpeople are divided up into various sub-species or races, depending on where they live. The earliest merpeople lived in Greece, and were known as sirens. In modern times, those merpeople living in warmer waters take on a more beautiful appearance, while those in colder waters, such as the selkies of Scotland and the Merrows of Ireland, are less attractive.[1]

Society and culture

YEMANJA RAINHA DO MAR (85)

A portrait of a Siren

Merpeople are a sapient species, and would qualify for full being status if they did not, as a race, reject the classification. Their exact level of intelligence as compared to humans is unknown, however, they possess many traits beyond those of mere animals. Merpeople have a developed language, Mermish, and have even created music (which they are known, as a whole, to be fond of).

Evidence that the Merpeople have a thriving culture is that they live in highly organised communities, some containing elaborate dwellings made of stone, and have been known to domesticate creatures such as the Grindylow, Hippocampus, and Lobalug (the latter being used as makeshift weaponry).[1] Other signs of their intelligence include jewellery and weapon making, production of art (both paintings and statues), and an ability to understand basic communication via gestures.[2]

History

The merpeople date back to ancient Greece, where they were first known as sirens. By the modern era, however, merpeople have spread worldwide.[1]

File:Tumblr mt4y69qckd1qarxvjo8 250.gif

A merperson threatens Harry Potter

The history of merpeople's relations with wizardkind, or at least the wizarding British government, are somewhat rocky. Chief Elfrida Clagg refused to accept merpeople as beings under her definition of the term as those who could "speak the human tongue", with Mermish not being considered adequate as it could not be understood above water. This decision upset both the merpeople and their allies the centaurs. Though they were allowed being status under Minister Grogan Stump revised 1811 definition of the term, they would eventually request to be treated as beasts once more, objecting to the fact that such Dark creatures as hags and vampires also claimed that status.[1]

Yellow-mermaid~2

Female Selkie

Despite being considered beasts at the time, a delegation of merpeople was persuaded to attend the 1692 summit of the International Confederation of Wizards, where they would help decide what to do on the matter of hiding the existence of various magical creatures from Muggle comprehension.[1]

At some point in the 1800s, Mirabella Plunkett, a witch, fell in love with a merman living in Loch Lomond. When her family disapproved of their marriage, she Transfigured herself into a haddock and vanished.[3]

A colony of merpeople lived in the Black Lake on the grounds of Hogwarts Castle. These merpeople played a role in the history of Hogwarts School, most notably consenting to be the major obstacles of the Second Task of the 1994 Triwizard Tournament.

Behind the scenes

File:Tumblr mzpvmv2DLo1ry0a8xo2 250.gif
  • According to W.O.M.B.A.T., it is possible that freshwater merpeople are less warlike than salt-water merpeople.
  • In LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4, the merpeople actually attack, whereas in the film and book they only confronted Harry when he tried to take more than his own hostage, but even then they only threatened to attack.
  • In the handheld versions of LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7, there are merpeople living in the Forest of Dean lake.

Appearances

Wiki
The Harry Potter Wiki has 0 images related to Merperson.

Notes and references

Magical creatures by classification
X Flobberworm · Horklump
XX Augurey · Bowtruckle · Chizpurfle · Clabbert · Diricawl · Fairy · Ghoul · Gnome · Grindylow · Imp · Jobberknoll · Mooncalf · Porlock · Puffskein · Ramora · Winged horse
XXX Ashwinder · Billywig · Bundimun · Crup · Doxy · Dugbog · Fire crab · Fwooper · Glumbumble · Hippocampus · Hippogriff · Hodag · Jarvey · Knarl · Kneazle · Leprechaun · Lobalug · Mackled Malaclaw · Moke · Murtlap · Niffler · Nogtail · Pixie · Plimpy · Pogrebin · Red Cap · Salamander · Sea serpent · Shrake · Streeler · Winged horse
XXXX Centaur · Demiguise · Erkling · Erumpent · Golden Snidget · Graphorn · Griffin · Hidebehind · Kappa · Kelpie · Merperson · Occamy · Phoenix · Re'em · Runespoor · Snallygaster · Sphinx · Tebo · Thestral · Thunderbird · Troll · Unicorn · Winged horse · Yeti
XXXXX Acromantula · Basilisk · Chimaera · Dragon · Horned Serpent · Lethifold · Manticore · Nundu · Quintaped · Wampus cat · Werewolf