WATERSIDE WEDNESDAY: Mad for Mermaids

Sometimes feared, sometimes yearned for, mermaids have existed in the minds of men since ancient times. Popular in Greek mythology, these fish-tailed maidens are often confused with sirens (beautiful young women with wings). Both have been rumored to lure sailors into the sea.

(Postcard courtesy of reataroseranch.blogspot.com)

English artist John William Waterhouse painted this pensive mermaid in 1900.

(Photo courtesy of www.jwaterhouse.com)

Last June, I went to see Mami Wata, a terrific exhibit at the National Museum of African Art in Washington DC. The show featured 500 years of art from Africa, the Caribbean and America that featured water spirits.Above is a painting from the show by Moyo Ogundipe, a Nigerian artist who lives in Denver, Colorado. Below is another by Abdal 22, a Congolese artist. This water creature is also accompanied by a snake and like many depictions of mermaids holds both a comb and mirror.
Shortly after seeing the exhibit, I spent several weeks traveling Italy's Amalfi Coast.
Throughout the area, dolphins, a real sea creature that some have suggested are what sailors actually see when they report sighting mermaids, are popular as a motif in art, architecture and home decor. I photographed the door handle below on the island of Positano.

In Naples, I rode one of the city's three funiculars up to Castel St. Elmo and the Certosa di San Martino. The Certosa (monastery) was built in the 14th century for Carthusian monks but is now a treasure trove of religious and secular objects.
It houses an amazing collection of maritime items, including several royal boats with frolicking mermaids, shells and jumbo starfish.

Isn't she a beauty?

Above and below are water creatures with both wings and leg-like fish tails.

The museum also displayed a stunning gold-embellished Mermaid chair.
The views from the monasteries balconies were equally exquisite.
I also sighted mermaids in Vietri sul Mare, a town famous for its hand-painted ceramics.
Do you have a favorite Mermaid? If so, please share.