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Published: 2009-03-28 19:33:22 +0000 UTC; Views: 299362; Favourites: 8774; Downloads: 21403
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Description
Merrow (from Gaelic murΓΊch) or Murrough (Galloway) is the Scottish and Irish Gaelic equivalent of the mermaid and mermen of other cultures. These beings are said to appear as human from the waist up but have the body of a fish from the waist down. They have a gentle, modest, affectionate and benevolent disposition.Merrow-maidens are reputed to lure young men to follow them beneath the waves where afterwards they live in an enchanted state. Merrows wear a special hat called a cohuleen druith which enables them to dive beneath the waves. If they lose this cap, it is said they have no power to return beneath the water. Sometimes they are said to leave their outer skins behind, to assume others more magical and beautiful. The merrow has soft white webs between her fingers, she is often seen with a comb parting her long green hair on either side. Merrow music is often heard coming from beneath the waves.
Most of the stories are about female beings; however, there are some about mer-men who capture the souls of drowned sailors and keep them in soul cages under the sea. Female Merrows were considered very beautiful, but the mermen were basically ugly, another reason why Merrow women sought out human men. In most cases, the female Merrow had a cap or cape, normally red, and if a human could capture and hide either so the Merrow never found it, then she would remain on land without a fuss. But if the Merrow should ever find her cap or cape, she would feel compelled to return forever to the ocean, leaving entire families behind.
A old work again, june or july of 2007. I was doing researching some myths about the sea, and i found a wonderful tale about the Merrows and their the soul cages:
THE SOUL CAGES
by
T. CROFTON CROKER
[link]
after read this tale, this pic come to my mind, I LOVE Irish/Scottish culture and myths
photshopCS/Grapphire 3/6 hours/Music: Lost message by Ambeon (Arjen Lucassen is a Genius and the voice of Astrid van der Veen is just delicious
[link]
Related content
Comments: 379
kique [2009-03-29 17:08:10 +0000 UTC]
cool. and shes got two big floaties to keep her from sinking too
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Brierose [2009-03-29 16:49:25 +0000 UTC]
Amazing!! apsolutly stunning!! Did you use dodge and burn at all or did you pick the colors yourself??
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GENZOMAN In reply to Brierose [2009-03-29 19:28:31 +0000 UTC]
I use B&W first to do volumes, after I add colors to the general pic. I avoid dodge. there is a tutorial on the gallery .
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Brierose In reply to GENZOMAN [2009-03-31 06:41:12 +0000 UTC]
ahhhh ok ill take a look
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fallenfallacy [2009-03-29 16:43:30 +0000 UTC]
~art-gamer has stolen your artwork. It is here: [link]
Just thought you should know.
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GENZOMAN In reply to fallenfallacy [2009-03-29 19:26:36 +0000 UTC]
thanks a lot for the advice, I gonna send a note
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Silverspegel [2009-03-29 16:21:56 +0000 UTC]
Magical and beautiful! I love the colours of it and the lights are terrific! Great work!
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sweetkat22 [2009-03-29 16:17:00 +0000 UTC]
That is an interesting story explained in the authors comments. Pretty picture. A lot of details in this looks like a lot of hard work was put into this.
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steady-fox In reply to ??? [2009-03-29 15:49:39 +0000 UTC]
Absolutely stunning i love the powerful pose and detail.
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Drachenkoeterchen [2009-03-29 15:12:50 +0000 UTC]
Wow.
What you said reminds me of the Loreley, a woman who sat on a rock at the Rhein and combed her long blond hair and sang beautifully and caused many ships to sink.
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Ziggyman [2009-03-29 15:08:13 +0000 UTC]
Cuando la vi no pude evitar pensar que se trataba de una mezcla de Caperucita roja con la sirenita.
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CyberCommander [2009-03-29 15:05:17 +0000 UTC]
Really pretty, although her legs look a little weird...
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YukiYuri In reply to ??? [2009-03-29 14:46:41 +0000 UTC]
The churning sea looks amazing, and I especially like the design of the cape.
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dark3xcalibur9 [2009-03-29 14:40:34 +0000 UTC]
Wow, beautiful picture and great artwork.
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MCRmyChick [2009-03-29 14:22:52 +0000 UTC]
I cant help but wonder, how mermaids have sex..
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Twilite91 [2009-03-29 14:19:33 +0000 UTC]
I really like this
Myths (especially Irish ones) FTW!
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chasingsirens [2009-03-29 14:12:03 +0000 UTC]
yay, another mermaid! i just love the dramatic movement in this. the soul cage is something i haven't heard about before... i love her dynamic pose and that sexy cape. x3
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FangirlNaima [2009-03-29 14:02:36 +0000 UTC]
Absolutely beautiful. I myself adore Irish/Scottish culture~ <33
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Keyka [2009-03-29 13:27:45 +0000 UTC]
Really intresting and with amazing details... I love her hair and the lamp chained to the blue imprisoned flames... lovely, congrats
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Allexxi In reply to ??? [2009-03-29 13:16:34 +0000 UTC]
Beautiful picture! Oh, and if you like those types of myths, you should watch The Secret of Roan Inish. It's a whole movie about your merrows.
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madnati-art In reply to ??? [2009-03-29 12:58:32 +0000 UTC]
this final part looks so much as the seiryuu's japanese story o.o
loved the artwork! very beautiful
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E-Squid In reply to ??? [2009-03-29 12:55:51 +0000 UTC]
That reminds me of this movie: [link] "The Secret of Roan Inish". A man marries a selkie by stealing her seal skin disguise thing (like the cap and cape) and they have a family, but she eventually finds it and leaves him.
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xanatose [2009-03-29 12:49:51 +0000 UTC]
I like your drawings, but I specially like that you take the time to tell the story behind the drawing. I have learn a lot of mythology with your drawings. Thank you.
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snowMermaid [2009-03-29 12:41:47 +0000 UTC]
initially, i thought you just did an Ariel piece, until i realise that it was a red hood and not hair. hehehe...
wonderful piece though.
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GENZOMAN In reply to Mexi-Zelos [2009-03-29 19:04:53 +0000 UTC]
no wolf, maybe a orca or a shark, lol.
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BJMoon [2009-03-29 12:11:48 +0000 UTC]
Hey
I'm Scottish, i love the tales of the mer-folk, and i love this!
I'd love to see your take on a Selkie, they were seals that shed their skins when they come on land to take human form.
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lucykanti In reply to ??? [2009-03-29 12:00:20 +0000 UTC]
very nice. I enjoyed the mythology-lesson you gave me here! I like the strong colors.
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Armonah In reply to ??? [2009-03-29 11:11:37 +0000 UTC]
That story is very much like that of selkies; creatures who could transform from human form to seals (not waist-down, but entirely).
A selkie could stay in touch with a man for only a short amount of time, at which point she returns to the sea, not making any contact again for seven years, leaving her lover behind with a broken heart. If that man however finds her skin and hides it, or burns it (not sure about that though, it would probably kill her), she will be his wife for the time being. If she finds her skin again she will return to seal form and leave forever.
The skin of the seal gives selkies power over men, but without it, she's a mortal woman.
Wikipedia link: [link]
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