While reading through the assigned chapters in Merpeople, I was continuously making connections with last class discussion about the image that was presented. A few things I remember that were brought up about the image were the comb and mirror the mermaid was holding and the vegetation the mermaid was surrounded in. In the book Merpeople, it states, “A mermaid’s accessories also revealed deeper symbolism, with her mirror and comb representing vanity…” (pg 13). As for the surrounding vegetation, it wasn’t uncommon for Pagan artwork to include foliage (pg 33, 42), I remember the image was pulled from a religious text so I assess that the religious text had some Pagan background.

Another topic I found interesting were the difference of views between mermaid/merman.  “Westerners, from their very origins, have looked to mermen as arbiters of knowledge, civilization and religion.” (pg 30) While mermaids were viewed as “…hideous beasts who only intended to bring man to destruction through his own lust for sex and power” (pg 11). I was curious as to why they kept denigrating mermaids even though the mermen were of the same species, at least have the mermen possess their own negative traits. Obviously, this was a jab towards the feminine population. I found it funny how in one illustration they even depicted a merman as a monk where instead of having an exposed upperbody, he was wearing a monks robe, “demonstrating men’s proclivity for piety and religious self-control” (pg 51).

One thing I find interesting was how something so prominent that was included in Church’s decor, bestiaries, folklore all around the world, and even charts used for navigation is rarely spoke about today. Sure there are films being made like The Little Mermaid, but I feel like now it has just become a childhood fantasy. It will be interesting to learn at what time in history did the “hype” around merpeople begin to dissolve and why.