Morning Light XXIX

Image: Subject and photographer unknown.

Merman

Introducing a new series that explores and celebrates artistic depictions of a unique form of male beauty: the merman.

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Mermen are mythical male legendary creatures who are human male from the waist up and fish-like from the waist down. They are less commonly known than their female counterparts, mermaids.

In Greek mythology, mermen were often illustrated to have green seaweed-like hair, a beard, and a trident. In Irish mythology, mermen are described as extremely ugly creatures with pointed green teeth, pig-like eyes, green hair, and a red nose. In Finnish mythology, a merman (vetehinen) is often portrayed as a magical, powerful, handsome, bearded man with the tail of a fish. He can cure illnesses and lift curses and brew potions. But he can also cause unintended harm by becoming too curious about human life. The river dolphin (or boto) of the Amazon River regions is described according to local lore as having the ability to take the form of a human or merman, also known as encantado (“enchanted one” in Portuguese), and the habit of seducing human women and impregnating them. Chinese mermen were believed to only surface during storms or, in some cases, were believed to have the ability to cause storms.

Much like sirens, mermen would sometimes sing to people and enchant them, distracting them from their work and causing them to walk overboard or run their ships aground. Other stories have them squeezing the life out of drowning men while attempting to rescue them. They are also said to take humans down to their underwater realms.

The actions and behavior of mermen can vary wildly depending on the source and time period of the stories. They have been said to sink ships by summoning great storms, but also said to be wise teachers, according to earlier mythology. A merman, like a mermaid, attracts humans with singing.

– Source

Image 1: daekazu.
Image 2: Artist unknown.
Image 3: Artist unknown.
Image 4: The Ban Bana.

Running Hare VI

Taking designs from quilting, rosemalling, applique and flat perspective folk art, Jim Shore creates an intricate and colorful work of art that reflects our shared cultural heritage yet is unmistakably Jim Shore. “I can’t imagine myself ever tiring of this,” Jim says of distinctive combination of themes and motifs, “I get to create two designs every time I develop a new piece – what the item will be and then what colors and patterns will go on it. The variety keeps me inspired.”

- Source

Tan Lines XIX

Image: Subject and photographer unknown.

Running Hare V

Image: “Hare Running in Pimpernel” by Mary Philpott.

More Tea?

Tim Burton's fantasy adventure film Alice in Wonderland opens today in the U.S.

An extension of the Lewis Carroll novels Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass, Burton's film uses a technique combining live action and animation.

The character of the March Hare is computer animated and voiced by Paul Whitehouse.


See also the previous posts:
The March Hare of Wonderland
A Computer Animated March Hare

Out on a Limb

Image: Subject and photographer unknown.

Hara

The English word ‘hare’ is said to come from the Anglo-Saxon word ‘Hara.” A similar word is also found in some other languages, including Dutch, Swedish, and old German.

– Jill Mason
The Hare, p. 100

Image: Terry Andrewartha.

Tan Lines XVIII

Image: Subject and photographer unknown.

The Hare and Many Friends

By John Gay

Friendship, like love,
is but a name,
Unless to one you stint
the flame.
The child, whom
many fathers share,
Hath seldom known
a father’s care;
’Tis thus in friendships;
who depend
On many, rarely find a friend.

A hare, who, in a civil way,
Complied with ev’ry thing, like Gay,
Was known by all the bestial train,
Who haunt the wood, or graze the plain:
Her care was, never to offend,
And ev’ry creature was her friend.



As forth she went at early dawn
To taste the dew-besprinkled lawn,
Behind she hears the hunter’s cries,
And from the deep-mouth’d thunder flies;
She starts, she stops, she pants for breath,
She hears the near advance of death,
She doubles, to mis-lead the hound,
And measures back her mazy round;
’Till, fainting in the public way,
Half dead with fear she gasping lay.

What transport in her bosom grew,
When first the horse appear'd in view!

“Let me,” says she, “your back ascend,
And owe my safety to a friend,
You know my feet betray my flight,
To friendship ev’ry burthen’s light.”

The horse replied, “Poor honest puss,
It grieves my heart to see thee thus;
Be comforted, relief is near;
For all your friends are in the rear.”

She next the stately bull implor’d;
And thus reply’d the mighty lord.
“Since ev’ry beast alive can tell
That I sincerely wish you well,
I may, without offence, pretend
To take the freedom of a friend;
Love calls me hence; a fav’rite cow
Expects me near yon barley mow:
And when a lady’s in the case,
You know, all other things give place.
To leave you thus might seem unkind;
But see, the goat is just behind.”

The goat remark’d her pulse was high,
Her languid head, her heavy eye;
“My back,” says he, “may do you harm;
The sheep’s at hand, and wool is warm.”

The sheep was feeble, and complain’d,
His sides a load of wool sustain’d,
Said he was slow, confess’d his fears;
For hounds eat sheep as well as hares.


She now the trotting calf addrest,
To save from death a friend distrest.

“Shall I,” says he, “of tender age,
In this important care engage?
Older and abler pass’d you by;
How strong are those! how weak am I!
Should I presume to bear you hence,
Those friends of mine may take offence.
Excuse me then. You know my heart,
But dearest friends, alas, must part!
How shall we all lament! Adieu.
For see the hounds are just in view.”

- John Gay

Artwork: Jane Tomlinson.

Baring All for Animals

The president of the world’s largest animal rights organization, PETA, has defended the group’s use of sex and celebrity to promote animal welfare.

PETA’s “I’d rather go naked than wear fur” campaign features photographs of naked celebrities, including Sophie Monk, Pamela Anderson, Holly Madison, and Christy Turlington.

Ms. Ingrid Newkirk says sexy billboards and posters are more effective in promoting animal rights than any scientific or ethical research the group could achieve.

– Associated Press

Running Hare IV

Image: Marion Rose.