Twitter users are drawing this Japanese mermaid to offer hope in times of coronavirus

How many legs does a mermaid have? According to the Japanese legend of the amabie, it's three. The earliest mention of this aquatic creature dates back to the 1800s, when it was apparently first spotted in Kumamoto prefecture. Unlike the half-human, half-fish mermaids you might be thinking of, the amabie it is described as having a beaky mouth, scaly skin and fins for ears.

As the story goes, a Kumamoto coast guard saw something glowing just below the surface of the sea. When he went to investigate, the three-legged amabie appeared out of the ocean and prophesied six years of good harvest to come. The amabie then told him to show its picture to anyone who had fallen ill to cure them.

Now as the world is struggling with the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, Japanese netizens are finding this legend increasingly relevant. The amabie hashtag has been trending on Twitter recently as people at home post their attempts to draw the curious mythical creature.

There's a real range of interpretations and skill levels on display, from hasty stick-figures in sharpie to elaborate water colours. Even contemporary artist Takashi Murakami has shared his designs for a manga-style amabie, which he says are still a work in progress.

While it's unlikely that merely seeing the mermaid's image will protect you from a common cold, much less the coronavirus, drawing the amabie is a great way to help you stay optimistic while honing your artistic talent – especially if you're spending a lot more time at home.