The Mermaids and the Queens
Mekon
In the Armada portrait at Woburn Abbey
http://www.marileecody.com/gloriana/elizabetharmada2.jpg
there are many symbols indicating Elizabeth's wealth and power around the
globe. But in the bottom right hand corner of the painting is a mermaid.
This is said to be symbolic of England's maritime power and prestige.
Yet in this poster http://www.marileecody.com/maryqosimages.html Mary Queen
of Scots is portrayed as a mermaid, which is said to be symbolic of
prostitution.
Can the symbols mean both things?
Or is this why the Armada portrait was cut down for the version in the
National Portrait Gallery?
http://www.marileecody.com/gloriana/elizabetharmada1.jpg
Mekon
Renia
> In message <neuqd.51642$K7.2...@news-server.bigpond.net.au>, Mekon
> <blank...@hotmail.com> writes
> I can't really help you except to say that symbols commonly mean more
> than one thing depending on the context.
>
> My book on Christian symbols says that when riding a wave's crest while
> combing her hair, the mermaid was the feminine symbol of the seductive
> temptress that had to be conquered in order to achieve salvation.
>
> Also the mermaids song was so bewitching that sailors allow their boats
> to shatter on the rocks. Possible armada connection?
That was on the Rhine, wasn't it? The betwitching mermaid, that is.
Renia
Simon Pugh
I can't really help you except to say that symbols commonly mean more
than one thing depending on the context.
My book on Christian symbols says that when riding a wave's crest while
combing her hair, the mermaid was the feminine symbol of the seductive
temptress that had to be conquered in order to achieve salvation.
Also the mermaids song was so bewitching that sailors allow their boats
to shatter on the rocks. Possible armada connection?
--
Simon Pugh
Remove X for email
Martin Reboul
"Simon Pugh" <Ne...@mrzsp.demonX.co.uk> wrote in message
news:qNHQYmHl...@mrzsp.demon.co.uk...
> In message <neuqd.51642$K7.2...@news-server.bigpond.net.au>, Mekon
> <blank...@hotmail.com> writes
> >I was advised (inter alia) to ask this in here
> >
> >In the Armada portrait at Woburn Abbey
> >http://www.marileecody.com/gloriana/elizabetharmada2.jpg
> >there are many symbols indicating Elizabeth's wealth and power around the
> >globe. But in the bottom right hand corner of the painting is a mermaid.
> >This is said to be symbolic of England's maritime power and prestige.
> >
> >Yet in this poster http://www.marileecody.com/maryqosimages.html Mary Queen
> >of Scots is portrayed as a mermaid, which is said to be symbolic of
> >prostitution.
> >
> >Can the symbols mean both things?
This picture is packed with symbolism! The peculiar three legged bench or table
she sits on is bizarre enough, and the object in her right hand (whatever it is
supposed to be) is very suggestive of something sexual (and female).
The seventeen swords, with different handles, symbolically intertwined between
the legs of her 'bench' are pretty obvious... she has been penetrated by more
than one Scottish nobleman.
The hare is a fast, randy creature (associated with witchcraft) and seems to be
standing on what I presume is Scotland. It's all about her way 'in' I reckon,
the mermaid bit may be because she came from overseas rather than the fact that
she put it about a bit to get what she wanted. I'm not aware of any connection
between mermaids and prostitution - surely they have one or two rather vital
assets missing, which would make being a 'working girl' somewhat unsatisfactory
for her customers?
> >Or is this why the Armada portrait was cut down for the version in the
> >National Portrait Gallery?
> >http://www.marileecody.com/gloriana/elizabetharmada1.jpg
> >
> >Mekon
> >
> I can't really help you except to say that symbols commonly mean more
> than one thing depending on the context.
>
> My book on Christian symbols says that when riding a wave's crest while
> combing her hair, the mermaid was the feminine symbol of the seductive
> temptress that had to be conquered in order to achieve salvation.
That is sometimes associated with Venus and Aphrodite, who represent some
elements of vanity and lust to dullard Xtians.
> Also the mermaids song was so bewitching that sailors allow their boats
> to shatter on the rocks. Possible armada connection?
That was the Sirens though, surely? Mermaids were looked on as marvellous and
highly desirable creatures AFAIK, used as figureheads and always rather
fascinating (as the odd hooker can be I suppose, but...). Maybe it's because
they never wear knickers?
Cheers
Martin
Simon Pugh
<re...@DELETEotenet.gr> writes
I don't know.
According to a website of uncertain provenance, a mermaid or merman can
also be a symbol of seafarers or anything related to the sea.
Simon Pugh
<martin...@SPAMFUKvirgin.net> writes
Singing that is not knickers.
Renia
>>> I can't really help you except to say that symbols commonly mean
>>> more than one thing depending on the context.
>>> My book on Christian symbols says that when riding a wave's crest
>>> while combing her hair, the mermaid was the feminine symbol of the
>>> seductive temptress that had to be conquered in order to achieve
>>> salvation.
>>> Also the mermaids song was so bewitching that sailors allow their
>>> boats to shatter on the rocks. Possible armada connection?
>>
>>
>>
>> That was on the Rhine, wasn't it? The betwitching mermaid, that is.
>>
>> Renia
>
>
> I don't know.
>
> According to a website of uncertain provenance, a mermaid or merman can
> also be a symbol of seafarers or anything related to the sea.
Ah. I used to live near Wiesbaden and often went to see friends on the
Rhine. The Lorelei legend is a popular round thataway.
http://website.lineone.net/~richard.king.ceng/RKLoWS1.htm
Renia
Pete Barrett
wrote:
>I was advised (inter alia) to ask this in here
>
>In the Armada portrait at Woburn Abbey
>http://www.marileecody.com/gloriana/elizabetharmada2.jpg
>there are many symbols indicating Elizabeth's wealth and power around the
>globe. But in the bottom right hand corner of the painting is a mermaid.
>This is said to be symbolic of England's maritime power and prestige.
>
>Yet in this poster http://www.marileecody.com/maryqosimages.html Mary Queen
>of Scots is portrayed as a mermaid, which is said to be symbolic of
>prostitution.
>
>Can the symbols mean both things?
>
Symbols can mean lots of things (or rather, the same thing can
symbolise lots of things), and in this case I don't think there's any
great stretch of the imagination to see a mermaid symbolising a
queen's maritime power. The indication of prostitution comes from the
way the mermaid is traditionally looks into a mirror as she combs her
hair, thus symbolising vanity and worldly beauty in general; and thus,
deviously, unchastity in general. I think, though I can't put a finger
on where I got this from, that <mermaid> was contemporary Scots slang
for a prostitute.
But symbols can also stand for their opposites, so the mermaid might
stand for the *rejection* of unchastity, and hence chastity. I think
you have to know who decided on the mermaid being in the picture
before you can guess what exactly it means.
>Or is this why the Armada portrait was cut down for the version in the
>National Portrait Gallery?
>http://www.marileecody.com/gloriana/elizabetharmada1.jpg
>
Symbolism is not of much use if there's a chance of the symbols being
misinterpreted, which in this case there clearly is. It doesn't have
to be censorship as such.
Pete Barrett
Simon Pugh
<re...@DELETEotenet.gr> writes
>Simon Pugh wrote:
>
>
>
>>>> I can't really help you except to say that symbols commonly mean
>>>>more than one thing depending on the context.
>>>> My book on Christian symbols says that when riding a wave's crest
>>>>while combing her hair, the mermaid was the feminine symbol of the
>>>>seductive temptress that had to be conquered in order to achieve
>>>>
>>>>boats to shatter on the rocks. Possible armada connection?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> That was on the Rhine, wasn't it? The betwitching mermaid, that is.
>>>
>>> Renia
>> I don't know.
>> According to a website of uncertain provenance, a mermaid or merman
>>can also be a symbol of seafarers or anything related to the sea.
>
>Ah. I used to live near Wiesbaden and often went to see friends on the
>Rhine. The Lorelei legend is a popular round thataway.
>
>http://website.lineone.net/~richard.king.ceng/RKLoWS1.htm
>
>Renia
Its all coming back to me. :-)