The nereids are found in some medieval encyclopedias. The story is based on the Nereids of Greek mythology, where they are the numerous daughters Nereus, the old man of the sea. The symbolize everything that is kind and beautiful in the sea. In the encyclopedias they are said to be fish with the appearance of humans, but with hairy bodies. When one of them is dying, its sad lamentations can be heard at a great distance.