Early sailors would sometimes report seeing mermaids after long voyages at sea. This was no doubt an illusion brought on by fatigue and poor nutrition but nonetheless a vision that often left a lasting impression. Over time more and more sailors started getting these tattoos. Typically on their forearm and sometimes in combination with an anchor or other nautical themes.
Most of the stories associated with any relationship between man or sailor and a mermaid typically end in bad news and often death for the sailor. It was believed that mermaids and sirens often sat on the rocks combing their long flowing hair and signing. They would potentially lure in a whole ship of sailors with their beautiful song until their boat crashed into the rocks.
