The Legend of Mermaids is Here to Stay
The legend of mermaids has been present in society for centuries. Even though there is no proof of the existence of mermaids, the legend still manages to live on. A person may wonder, why exactly does the legend live on? Charlie Foley of the Mother Nature Network believes humans are fascinated with mermaids because of two different reasons. The first reason being mermaids are "an idealized version of oneself." Mermaids are said to live in a world humans know very little about. Humans want to be a part of this mysterious world and can through the idea of mermaids (Miller). The second reason Foley believes the legend has survived is because those who believe in evolution are fascinated by the fact there could have been a branch of life that took to the sea(Miller). Regardless of an individual's reasoning behind believing or not believing in mermaids, the image of mermaids has changed over time. As mermaids entered the world of pop culture, they took on an image of kindness and beauty rather than being deceiving and evil. Different aspects of society have solidified this image of a mermaid through books, movies, television shows, and even performances. Mermaids are a unique concept and will not be forgotten. Evian actually used that concept by incorporating mermaids in their promotional ads for their products (The Ads of the World). The legend of mermaids will continue to live on because it is an object of mystery and fantasy which is appealing to the general public.