The Mermaid is an enduring mythological figure and symbol and has been around for thousands of years in many different cultures. The mermaid represents an ages old story of feminine power, emerging from the water, sometimes to lure men to their death and other times to act as their rescuers. These popular symbols have been used by mariners as symbols of temptation while others are variations of the pinup girl tattoo and still others represent the call back to the sea.