Througout Dutch history, several tales have been told about the Meermin (also known as a Zeemeermin) and her male counterpart the Meerman. She is known to be a vain creature, often combing her hair or using a mirror. When mermaids don't tend to their appearance, they often sing. Mermaid songs have been known to lure men to an early watery grave.
Noord Holland
During the heavy storm of 1403, violent waves destroyed part of the dyke that seperated the artificial Zuiderzee lake from the open sea. Water came gushing in and brought along with it a mermaid. When the storm calmed down, the dyke was quickly patched and the mermaid became trapped within the Zuiderzee. The mermaid was often sighted by two milkmaids on their way to milk their cows. At first, both the mermaid and milkmaids were scared and avoidant, but as time went on, they got used to seeing eachother. One fateful day, the mermaid got really close to their boats and the milkmaids saw their chance. They pulled the mermaid on board and took her back to Edam. It became apparent that the mermaid did not speak their language. Nevertheless, the people from Edam raised her as a human being. Everyone realized her longing for the sea, and so - despite her incredible ability to adjust - she was well guarded, so she would not escape. Word spread across the area, and people came to visit Edam just so they could see her. The people from Haarlem made it known they wanted her to live in their city, so Edam presented her as a gift. Haarlem gave her a home on the Grote Houtstraat and taught her to use the spinning wheel. The mermaid lived a long life, but never learned to speak with human beings. At the end of her life she was burried in a cemetery. During her life she often crossed herself, which obviously pointed towards religious interests.