Geograph - photograph every grid square

Sign for the Mermaid

Mermaids are ambiguous figures in seamen's lore. On one hand, they were believed to bring storms and shipwrecks, and so were feared. On the other hand, they were regarded as sexy; they were often shown carrying a comb and mirror, which were standard attributes of the Whore of Babylon in religious art. Probably the explanation is that medieval moralists took the mermaid, like her classical Greek forerunner the siren, as a symbol for sensual pleasures which lure men to sin and damnation, such as drink and sex. In fact, some religious writers said bluntly that 'mermaid' was a symbol for 'prostitute'. In view of this, one could be led to believe that some Mermaid pubs offered a service which would be much appreciated by seamen.