Legend of the Warsaw Mermaid

Once upon a time, there was a fishing village on the banks of the Vistula River, and mermaids lived in the depths of the river. Often, the fishermen returning from their catch would hear their beautiful singing. Unfortunately, a few of them, thirsty for gold, decided to catch a mermaid and sell her for ransom.

They plugged their ears with wax to be immune to her beautiful voice, and then they set sail into the sea when the moon was full and cast their nets. They didn't have to wait long - the mermaid soon got tangled in the fishing net. They took the terrified and bound mermaid to the village and ordered the guard to watch over her.

However, the kind-hearted guard released the mermaid, who scared, ran back to the river, but no fisherman ever heard their singing again. It's said that sometimes the mermaid still emerges from the Vistula to see how the city is changing. Maybe one day, while you're gazing at the river's waves, you'll see her?

A mermaid with wings?

The Warsaw mermaid - half woman, half fish is a symbol of the city of Warsaw. The mermaid has been on the Warsaw coat of arms since 1390, but she didn't always look the same. Over the centuries, the image of the mermaid changed - she wasn't always in a female form, and there was even a time when she had membranous wings, claws, and a tail! Initially, she was a more monstrous figure, but she always carried a sword and shield with her.