10 Astounding Facts About The Lighthouse You Didn't Know
3. Mermaid Genitalia: A Forgotten History
Growing up, the word 'mermaid' conjured up images of a fantastical creature that was friendly and curious that could do no harm. It's image is well recognized and even serves as the iconic coffee chain Starbucks' trademark emblem.
Eggers' enlightening history of mermaids reveals they're not as elegant nor cordial as they appear. He reveals how the classic depiction of mermaids is more explicit than what's been instilled in the zeitgeist of pop culture.
In the middle ages and Renaissance, mermaids had two tails with exposed genitalia, starkly contrasting the regal and reserved appearance they have been associated with. When the Victorian era came, that was redacted since prudish puritan values would consider such imagery as blasphemous and tuned them down a few notches.
In addition, mermaids weren't quite the delicate flowers they were made it to be. According to folklore, mermaids would seduce sailors and drag them into the sea to drown them, acting as a cautionary tale to sailors traveling in the open sea.
Arial doesn't seem so pleasant now, does she?