#merfolklore

Lorelei, the German legend of a beautiful maiden who decided to throw herself into the Rhne River over a lover who was cheating on her. She was afterwards transformed into a siren who lured fishermen. The name Lorelei comes from an old German and celtic word that means murmuring rock. It is said that her voice can be heard bouncing off the rocks, and the lovely sound of her voice and her beauty are known to cause sailors to have accidents. 

http://mermaidsofearth.com/mermaid-statues-mermaid-sculptures/public/the-lorelei-statue/

https://www.oq.com.au/loreleimyth/

The oldest known mention of mermaids/mermen to exist in history is from the Mesopotamian civilization, also known as Adapa or Uanna, he was said to be a god that taught mankind wisdom. Described by the Babylonian priest Berossus, he rose out of the sea with a half fish half human body. He had the form of a fish but with the head of a man under his fish head, and then legs under his fish tail. During the day he would come ashore and teach mankind about reading, writing, the arts, etc. It was likely that he was a representative for Ea, the god of water.

https://mermaidsofearth.com/a-look-into-the-tale-and-tail-of-oannes/