Tritons

     Triton is the son of Poseidon and takes the form of a man with a fish tail. This name was later given to the male counterpart of a mermaid, which is a half woman, half fish creature. Triton was not only the son, but also the messenger to the God of the sea. Tritons are often shown holding or blowing into conch shells, who’s sound would calm waves of the ocean. In many images, tritons are depicted with two fish tails in the place of legs, which is different from the common one tailed interpretation of classic mermaids. The tritons images are found included in fountains and mosaics that decorated ancient bath complexes and aqueducts. 

Marble triton as part of a fountain located in the Piazza Navona

Marble tritons as part of fountain located on the Piazza della Bocca della Verità

Black and white mosaic slab of triton with crab-claw horns, this detail is frequent in images of these creatures. Located at the Museo Nazionale Romano

Black and white floor mosaic of triton. Located at the Musei Vaticani

A colorful floor mosaic of a triton. Located at the Musei Vaticani (Vatican Museum)

Atsma, Aaron J. "TRITON : Sea-God, Merman." Theoi Project. N.p., 2000. Web. 16 Aug. 2013.

 <http://www.theoi.com/Pontios/Triton.html>.

Connor, Nancy. "Triton: Son of Poseidon." NetPlaces.com. About.com, n.d. Web. 16 Aug. 2013.

 <http://www.netplaces.com/classical-mythology/the-lesser-gods/triton-son-of-poseidon.htm>.

"Mermaids." Myths Encyclopedia. Advameg Inc., 2013. Web. 16 Aug. 2013. 

<http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/Le-Me/Mermaids.html>.