There are many types of
“mermaids” out in the world and there are many ways to become one. (Never let an adult ruin your dreams to be a
“mermaid”). They are real...a belief of many. Scientists and many people just don't go
searching for them ~ there are many
things in the whole world that haven't been discovered yet. There are many
“spells” to become a “mermaid” ~ about which you can research.
A mermaid (mer as in “sea” and
maid as in “woman”) and therefore “Woman of the Sea” is a legendary aquatic
creature with the head and torso of a human female with the sea-blue tail of a
fish. The male version of a mermaid is a
merman. Mermaids and mermen are
fish-like people who swim through the ocean and the seas.
Mermaids in stories would sometimes
sing to sailors and enchant them, distracting them from their work and causing
them to walk off the deck or cause a shipwreck.
Stories would have them squeeze the life out of a drowning man while
trying to rescue him. They are also said
to take them down to their underwater kingdoms.
The mermaid is featured
extensively in literature and art of various cultures and eras. She is the subject of Hans Christian
Andersen's most well known fairy tale...The Little Mermaid...and the
1989 Disney movie based on it.
Ten Things You
Probably Didn't Know About Mermaids:
The original mermaid wasn't a maid at all. The merman was a Babylonian named Oanne.
One of the earliest mermaids came from Syria.
Mermaids are literally beautifully portrayed “Women of the
Sea”.
Some societies believe humans descended from mermaids.
Aquamarine is made from “mermaid tears”.
Mermaids can see into the future.
The infamous Sirens of Greek mythology, started out
as Bird Women.
Mermaids spell trouble.
Sailors once mistook “manatees” for mermaids.
Starbuck's original mermaid was
severely suggestive ~
being a 2-tailed-spread-eagle mermaid; now only the tail tips are visible.
being a 2-tailed-spread-eagle mermaid; now only the tail tips are visible.
According to The National Ocean Services
no evidence for
aquatic humanoids has ever been found.
Mermaid statues and sculptures
can be found all around the world in publicly accessible locations such as town squares, fountains,
memorials, harbours and seaside sites (over 130 of these) and far more in
private settings. It seems the fascination with these creates an aura,
appealing to the spirit within us.
The Little Mermaid statue
in Copenhagen, Denmark has been a major tourist attraction since 1913. She rests atop a rock in the harbour's sea
water. The statue was a present from Carl Jacobsen (the Carlsberg Breweries) to
this city, made by a then little known sculptor, Edvard Erichsen. The Little Mermaid was unveiled in 1913 as
part of a general trend in Copenhagen in those days ~ selecting classical and
historical figures to be used as decorations in the city’s parks and public
places. Unfortunately, it has been a target for defacement and political
activities. In 2006, Copenhagen
officials announced that the statue may be moved further out in the harbour to
avoid further violation and to prevent tourists from climbing on it.
Of Interest: In the mid 1990's, visiting Denmark on a
2-week vacation, I was elated to see the statue not far from shore in the harbour...so graceful, so mesmerizing and
being able to photo it! The statue is made of bronze, is 125 cm. tall and
weighs 175 kg. The statue was inspired
by ballerina Ellen Price, who in 1909 danced the lead role in the ballet The Little Mermaid at the Royal Theatre.
William Mistele (author of
Mermaids, Gnomes and Salamanders) wrote:
Some women have that special aura
of a mermaid. Some mermaids have entered
our world to demonstrate that love can exist under the most difficult
situations of life…as human beings know
it. And I expect some mermaids are here
to see if they can work with human beings to avoid destroying the oceans as we
are now doing...and one mermaid is here to record human experiences for future
races that appear on earth in case we become suddenly extinct.
Loreley
I do not know what haunts me,
what saddened my mind all day.
An age-old tale confronts me ~
A spell I cannot ally.
The air is cool in twilight.
The Rhine’s dark waters flow.
The peak of the mountain in
highlight
Reflects the evening glow.
There sits a lovely maiden
above, so wondrous fair.
With shiny jewels laden,
She combs her golden hair.
It falls through her comb like a shower,
and over the valley rings
a song of mysterious power
that lovely maiden sings.
The boatman in his skiff, is
seized by a turbulent love;
No longer he marks where the cliff is;
He looks to the mountain above.
I think the waves must fling him
against the reef nearby
and that did, with her singing
the lovely Loreley.
(Author unknown)
The Sea Maid
To where I watch on
the yellow sands
as they pluck sweet
music with sea-cold hands,
they bring me coral
and amber clear.
But when the stars in
heaven appear
their music ceases,
they glide away.
They swim for their
grottos across the bay.
They listen to my
shrill tune,
the surfy tide and
the wondrous moon.
William Shakespeare
(excerpt from Midsummer
Night’s Dream)
Margot Datz (from “A Survival Guide for Landlocked Mermaids”):
Darwin may have been quite correct in his theory that man descended from the apes in the forest; but surely woman rose from the frothy sea ~
resplendent as Aphrodite on her scalloped chariot.
A Human’s Reverie
Oh, I wish I were a
mermaid so beautiful, alluring, seductive;
Hair angelic, gentle wind-blown
and sensually cared with jewelled brush
Below the ocean’s blue waters, my home ~ freedom to travel unfathomable depths,
Below the ocean’s blue waters, my home ~ freedom to travel unfathomable depths,
I’d chat with dolphins, ride on the whales as they swim and cavort,
playfully dive.
To Monterey Bay’s curve-ed shore,
I’d slip through kelp fields so lush
and find a place in the sun to await my lover ~ so handsome
I’d hear the chapel bells chime ~ the bluebirds of happiness sing
and find a place in the sun to await my lover ~ so handsome
I’d hear the chapel bells chime ~ the bluebirds of happiness sing
and envy the condors from the rugged coast, upward swooping on mighty
wing.
The sun creeps brilliant from the horizon ~ he comes to me on silent
foot.
He’d tell me of his art and sports, of places visited with long-time
friends.
Oft he comes to the sea ~ lonely without her ~ to catch of me, a glimpse.
I’d tell about Monterey Canyon’s abyss, sitting on the edge of very deep
chasm,
of Marshall Islands’
coral reefs and colourful tropical fish of Waikiki.
We’d fantasize about South Seas; longing to travel to Bali or Oahu.
The golden hours we’ve spent
together; and much too quick ~
it’s Sayonara (farewell…until we again meet).
He to his life under sunny skies…and I to my fish in the deep blue sea.
Behind
a veiled sheer, I’m rare to find!
Born under Pisces, sign of the Fish
Into a spiritual, mystical
world.
Swimming
so freely in the ocean tides,
I’m able to move
with lithe and grace.
Perhaps…I’ll Believe!
I live by the Lake
and wonder so often,
“Do mermaids inhabit
these deep blue waters?”
Bill LeBlanc may
believe…as read in The Spec.
He’s finishing a sculpture
from a poplar tree trunk
beside Hutch’s
Restaurant ~ Van Wagner’s Beach
Road.
Sirens of the Sea shows four lovely mermaids
entwined ‘round the
stump ~ a suitable perch
for a mermaid or two
~ with shimmering blue tails.
Professionally, Gary
Yokoyama ~ snapped this photo.
Strolling the
wave-crested shore this summer,
I’ll chat with a
mermaid…and another pic
Gary can capture to
publish in The Spec.
Merle Baird-Kerr…crafted May 17, 2013
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