We know you’ve heard some pretty crazy Disney conspiracy theories – like Big Hero 6 and Wreck-It Ralph are connected and the tale of Aladdin is just a ploy to sell a lamp. But a recent Tumblr post alleging that two Disney characters might actually be related — and with good reasoning behind it to back it up — will have you positively reeling. Could it be true? Could Hercules seriously be Ariel’s cousin?
Here’s what we know from watching both The Little Mermaid and Hercules: Hercules’ father is Zeus, a Greek god; Ariel’s father is King Triton, the son of Poseidon. In Greek mythology, Poseidon had six brothers and sisters, one of whom was Zeus. If Poseidon and Zeus are brothers, that makes Hercules the distant cousin of Ariel.
Weird, right?! Tell us in the comments what you think about Hercules and Ariel’s overlapping family tree!
