{{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]], {{FB}}|Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (real)}}
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{{Quote|The oldest recorded merpeople were known as [[siren]]s ([[Greece]]) and it is in warmer [[water]]s that we find the beautiful mermaids more frequently depicted in [[Non-magic people|Muggle]] literature and painting. The [[Selkie]]s of [[Scotland]] and the [[Merrow]]s of [[Ireland]] are less beautiful, but they share that love of music which is common to all merpeople.|[[Newton Scamander]], {{FB}}|Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (real)}}
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'''Merpeople''' are sentient [[beast]]s that live [[water|underwater]],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.
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'''Merpeople''' are sentient [[magic]]al [[beast]]s that live [[water|underwater]]. They 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 did not want to be placed in a status with [[Hag]]s and [[Vampire]]s. Merpeople can breathe above the water for a time, but it is unclear if they can ever truly leave their habitat.<ref name="FB"/>
[[File:Merpeople PM.png|thumb|251x251px|The merpeople colony who live in the Black Lake|left]]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" />
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 notbeing consideredadequate 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 [[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" />
{{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 greyish 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 their warmer watered cousins|Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire}}[[File:One of the Merpeople of Hogwarts Lake (Concept Artwork).jpg|241x241px|thumb|left|Selkie Mermaid in Hogwarts Lake]]
Merpeople are [[creature]]s 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" /> For instance, the majority of the [[Great Lake Merpeople colony|Black Lake Merpeople colony]]<span> had green hair, yellow eyes, and grey skin. They also had silver tails. It is very unlikely a human would resemble that.<ref name="GOF26" /> </span>
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.<ref name="FB" />
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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">{{GOF|B|26}}</ref> 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.
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>{{PS|G}}</ref>
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, 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" />
During [[Dolores Umbridge]]'s career in the Ministry, she suggested that merpeople to be rounded up and tagged, as her irrational revulsion to anything that have a part-human appearance. However, the ludicrousness of such an act was never put into effect.
Merpeople are a sapient species, and would qualify for full [[being]] status if they did not, as a race, reject the classification. Although their exact level of intelligence as compared to humans is unknown, 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).<ref name="FB" />
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[[File:Tumblr_mt4y69qckd1qarxvjo8_250.gif|frame|A merperson threatens [[Harry Potter]]]]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]].
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 human communication via gestures.<ref name="GOF26" />
{{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 greyish 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 their warmer watered cousins|Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire}}
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" />
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[[File:Merpeople PM.png|244x244px|thumb|The merpeople colony who live in the Black Lake]]
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". She thought Mermish to be inadequate as it could not be understood above water. Her decision upset both the merpeople and their allies the [[centaur]]s.<ref name="FB" />
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Though they were allowed being status under [[Minister for Magic|Minister]] [[Grogan Stump]]'s revised [[1811]] definition of the term, they would eventually request to be treated as beasts once more, objecting to the fact that [[Dark Arts|dark]] creatures such as [[Hag]]s and [[Vampire]]s also claimed that status.<ref name="FB" />
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,alltraitsthatwouldbeveryuncommon,if not impossible,for a human tonaturallypossess. 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">{{GOF|B|26(''The Second Task'')}}</ref>
Despite being considered beasts at the time, a delegation of merpeople were 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 [[Non-magic people|Muggle]] comprehension.<ref name="FB" />
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" />
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 name="COSG">{{COS|G}}</ref>
During [[Dolores Umbridge]]'s career in the Ministry, she suggested that Merpeople to be rounded up and tagged, as her irrational revulsion to anything that have a part-human appearance. However, the ludicrousness of such an act was never put into effect.<ref name="OOTP14">{{OOTP|B|14}}</ref>
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===Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry===
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{{Main|Great Lake Merpeople colony}}[[File:Tumblr_mt4y69qckd1qarxvjo8_250.gif|left|frame|A merperson threatens [[Harry Potter]]]]
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A [[Great Lake Merpeople colony|colony]] of merpeople lived in the [[Great Lake|Black Lake]] on the grounds of [[Hogwarts Castle]].
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They played a role in the Second Task of the [[1994]] [[Triwizard Tournament]]. They agreed to keep four people in an enchanted sleep in their [[Merpeople village|village]] for an hour, and protect them until the champion sent to save them arrived. They watched the champions swim around, with spears clutched in their hands, and tried to stop [[Harry Potter]] when he tried to save more than one person.<ref name="GOF26" />
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==Wizarding relations==
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Oddly enough, Merpeople were not represented in the [[Fountain of Magical Brethren]] at the Ministry of Magic. This could not be simply because they have declined formal "[[being]]" status with the Ministry of Magic, because centaurs made a similar decision and were represented in the Fountain.
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Merpeople's relationship with [[Wizardkind]] is said to be an unstable one.<ref name="PM">{{PM}}</ref> This could stem from a number of reasons, perhaps wizarding society looks down upon merpeople and see them as inferior. That is a common occurrence in regards to sentient creatures that are not classified as human.
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Despite the rocky relationship that does exist Merpeople are shown to help humans sometimes, such as agreeing to be a part of the Second Task of the [[Triwizard Tournament]].<ref name="GOF26"/> They are also capable of showing respect to wizards who have earned it, during the [[Funeral of Albus Dumbledore|funeral]] of [[Albus Dumbledore]] merpeople were present from within the [[Great Lake|Black Lake]].<ref name="HBP30">{{HBP|B|30}}</ref>
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" />
==Behind the scenes==
==Behind the scenes==
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*Stories of {{wplink|mermaid}}s and, less commonly, [[Wikipedia:Merman|mermen]] exist in the folklore of various cultures worldwide.
*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|Y1}}, 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|Y1}}, 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.
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==Appearances==
==Appearances==
{{Imagecat|Images of Merpeople}}
{{Imagecat|Images of Merpeople}}
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*{{PS|G}} {{FWC mention}}
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*{{COS|G}} {{FWC mention}}
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*{{POA|G}} {{FWC mention}}
*{{GOF}} {{1st}}
*{{GOF}} {{1st}}
*{{GOF|F}}
*{{GOF|F}}
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*{{GOF|G}}
*{{OOTP}} {{Mention}}
*{{OOTP}} {{Mention}}
*{{OOTP|G}} {{Mention}}
*{{OOTP|G}} {{Mention}}
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*{{CC|P}} {{Mention}}
*{{CC|P}} {{Mention}}
*{{FB|R}}
*{{FB|R}}
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*{{FBC}}
*{{HPPU}}
*{{HPPU}}
*{{LEGO|B}}
*{{LEGO|B}}
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*{{LEGO|CH}}
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*{{LEGO|C}}
*{{LEGO|Y1}}
*{{LEGO|Y1}}
*{{LEGO|Y2}} {{C|Handheld versions only}}
*{{LEGO|Y2}} {{C|Handheld versions only}}
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*{{PM}}
*{{PM}}
*{{HPV|CR}}
*{{HPV|CR}}
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*{{HM}} {{Mention}}
==Notes and references==
==Notes and references==
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{{Reflist}}
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{{Reflist}}[[de:Wassermensch]]
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[[de:Wassermensch]]
[[es:Gente del agua]]
[[es:Gente del agua]]
[[fr:Êtres de l'eau]]
[[fr:Êtres de l'eau]]
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{{Creatures by classification}}
{{Creatures by classification}}
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[[Category:Beasts]]
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[[Category:Creatures found worldwide]]
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[[Category:Creatures]]
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[[Category:Creatures from Greece]]
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[[Category:Merpeople|]]
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[[Category:Merpeople|Merpeople]]
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[[Category:XXXXCreatures]]
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[[Category:Muggle-known creatures]]
Revision as of 04:17, 14 January 2020
Warning!
At least some content in this article is derived from information featured in Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery. Spoilers will be present within the article.
"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."
Merpeople are sentient magicalbeasts that live underwater. They 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 did not want to be placed in a status with Hags and Vampires. Merpeople can breathe above the water for a time, but it is unclear if they can ever truly leave their habitat.[1]
"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 greyish 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 their warmer watered cousins[src]
Selkie Mermaid in 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] For instance, the majority of the Black Lake Merpeople colony had green hair, yellow eyes, and grey skin. They also had silver tails. It is very unlikely a human would resemble that.[2]
Merpeople also seem to be taller than humans, with seven feet appearing to not be an unusual height, at least for a selkie.[2] 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.
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, 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
Merpeople are a sapient species, and would qualify for full being status if they did not, as a race, reject the classification. Although their exact level of intelligence as compared to humans is unknown, 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).[1]
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 human 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]
The merpeople colony who live in the Black Lake
The history of merpeople's relations with wizardkind, or at least the wizarding British government, are somewhat rocky. ChiefElfrida Clagg refused to accept merpeople as beings under her definition of the term as those who could "speak the human tongue". She thought Mermish to be inadequate as it could not be understood above water. Her decision upset both the merpeople and their allies the centaurs.[1]
Though they were allowed being status under MinisterGrogan Stump's revised 1811 definition of the term, they would eventually request to be treated as beasts once more, objecting to the fact that dark creatures such as Hags and Vampires also claimed that status.[1]
Despite being considered beasts at the time, a delegation of merpeople were 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]
During Dolores Umbridge's career in the Ministry, she suggested that Merpeople to be rounded up and tagged, as her irrational revulsion to anything that have a part-human appearance. However, the ludicrousness of such an act was never put into effect.[4]
They played a role in the Second Task of the 1994Triwizard Tournament. They agreed to keep four people in an enchanted sleep in their village for an hour, and protect them until the champion sent to save them arrived. They watched the champions swim around, with spears clutched in their hands, and tried to stop Harry Potter when he tried to save more than one person.[2]
Wizarding relations
Oddly enough, Merpeople were not represented in the Fountain of Magical Brethren at the Ministry of Magic. This could not be simply because they have declined formal "being" status with the Ministry of Magic, because centaurs made a similar decision and were represented in the Fountain.
Merpeople's relationship with Wizardkind is said to be an unstable one.[5] This could stem from a number of reasons, perhaps wizarding society looks down upon merpeople and see them as inferior. That is a common occurrence in regards to sentient creatures that are not classified as human.
Despite the rocky relationship that does exist Merpeople are shown to help humans sometimes, such as agreeing to be a part of the Second Task of the Triwizard Tournament.[2] They are also capable of showing respect to wizards who have earned it, during the funeral of Albus Dumbledore merpeople were present from within the Black Lake.[6]
Behind the scenes
Stories of mermaids and, less commonly, mermen exist in the folklore of various cultures worldwide.
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 J.K Rowling's original plan, the Merpeople were to first appear in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, with Harry and Ron first meeting them when the Ford Anglia crashed into the Great Lake instead of the Whomping Willow. However, as the writing process continued, Rowling found it more satisfying and "less distracting" for the Ford Anglia to crash into the Willow.
Appearances
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