Mermaid: Symbolism of Sex, Life, and Death

Author: Xiao Bing
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: In Copenhagen, Denmark, the Little Mermaid sits quietly as a tribute to Hans Christian Andersen's creation, while the Warsaw Mermaid, holding a sword and shield, adorns the city's coat of arms. In ancient Greece, the Siren, a bird or mermaid, lured sailors to their doom with her enchanting songs. Do mermaids really exist in nature? What is their archetype? Why can she embody the duality of life and death, as well as the dichotomy of good and evil? What is her connection to the theory of "human origins in the ocean"? This book will illustrate the imagery of life and death. The "Illustrated Cultural Curiosities Series" consists of three titles: The Mermaid—Imagery of Sex, Life, and Death, The Tibetan Mastiff—Spiritual Dogs, Demons, and Divine Insects, The Butterfly Dream—Love, Soul, Rebirth, and Aesthetics. All three are set against the backdrop of Chinese culture, spanning comparative studies across East and West to unlock the secrets of ancient cultures. This is a popular reading on folklore written by the renowned cultural anthropologist, Professor Xiao Bing, for a broad audience. The book introduces the records and archetypes of mermaids, their symbolism and associations, their connection to human origins, and the instinct of atavism.