Humanities Connections

A Humanities Collection of Media Artifacts

Mermaids in Folklore and Literature

A Mermaid, by John William Waterhouse
Title: A Mermaid
Year: 1900
Dimensions: 96.5 cm (37.9 in) by 66.6 cm (26.2 in)
Collection: Royal Academy of Arts, London
Source: Wikimedia Commons, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:John_William_Waterhouse_-_Mermaid.JPG
Melusine on Pooley Gates
This twin-tailed mermaid, or "melusine" is one of four that originally decorated the gates of the now-demolished Liverpool Sailors' Home in Liverpool, England. They are now on display in Paradise Street. Source: Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Melusine_on_Pooley_Gates.jpg

Who is the Starbucks Siren?
The Starbucks logo famously features a twin-tailed mermaid, which their branding refers to as the "Starbucks Siren." This blog post delves into the logo's history.
NYT: 2021 Has Been a Bad Year for Manatees
Manatees have long been thought to be an inspiration for many legends of mermaids. Unfortunately, the New York Times reported in October 2021 that manatees have been dying at an alarming rate in Florida, due to many factors. This picture-focused feature has more.