In Merpeople: A Human History, Chapter 1, Medieval Monsters, discusses how the mermaid evolved throughout the Medieval period. During this period, the mermaid defined and reflected Western ideas of religion, sex, and power. This chapter specifically focuses on the Christian churches use of the mermaid. The Christian church and its symbols adapted from the ones of pagan, including mermaids. Similarly, the representation and appearance of Jesus was as well. Because many pagan Gods were both male and female “many early Christian images of Jesus appeared androgynous, with Jesus boasting feminine hips, suggestions of breasts and a beautiful face” (36). The image of a male Jesus we recognize today was created in the Middle Ages as the church tried to distance itself from pagan pasts.
Mermaids became a symbol of the church and evolved from a more hideous creature to an enticing and female creature. Mermaids became overly feminine, for the church women representing lust, weakness, and mens falling from grace, and now so did mermaids. But why would illustrations of mermaids be present in a church? As the book says “What better way to demonstrate the titillations of the flesh than to display an enticing image in the holiest of spaces?” (39). The beautiful, female mermaid served as a warning against flesh and desire in the church, which derived greatly from some of the oldest images of mermaids as sirens or half birds. Still, both were made to remind men “of her ability to steal their souls” (41). Like many symbols, the representation and meaning of them changes depending on who controls them, or obtains the “power”.
Before reading, I was unaware of the history behind how mermaids were represented, and how we’ve come to know them today. I was even shocked at how the image of Jesus was changed and used, similar to the mermaid.
I was also surprised to read about the image of Jesus changing and him having both masculine and feminine features before it settled into solely masculine features. It seems the church was trying to further bring down the ‘sacred feminine’ as the book states, which is sad to read. I wonder if there would be different attitudes toward women if this had not happened, since I feel the church has had such a big influence on social norms.
I totally forgot about the part of the book where it talks about Jesus and how he as well was affected by pagan ideals as did mermaids were, I really like how you made that connection and it’s like a full circle moment connecting Jesus (a symbol if the head of the church) and connecting that to mermaids. As well, I like how you answered the question about why such as sexual image of a mermaid was to be seen in such a holy place like a church, and how your response clearly illustrates as to why that is. Your post definitely cleared a lot of confusion and shined some light on point of views I would not have had.