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Mermaid
Leave The Statue Of The Little Mermaid Alone!
Ninety four years ago on August 23,1913 in Copenhagen was opened one of the ten world’s mostly known monuments – the statue of the Little Mermaid, a heroine of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale.
Since then the Little Mermaid sitting at Langelline Quay by the entrance of the city port is considered a national symbol and the main place of interest of Copenhagen.
Sitting on a granite boulder at the shore edge Andersen’s Little Mermaid is thoughtfully looking afar. This wonderful bronze sculpture is created by Danish sculptor Edward Erickson under the order of the large brewer and patron of art Charles Jacobsen.
The model served for the statue was the sculptor’s wife, the Royal opera and ballet theatre’s dancer Helen Price. In 1913 Charles Jacobsen has presented the sculpture to the city, and since then it is impossible to imagine the Danish capital without the Little Mermaid.
The Little Mermaid has been repeatedly exposed to vandalism acts. In 1961, 1963 and 1976 it was poured with paint, drawn over with panties and bra, and even have been blown up, but each time the statue has been reconstructed by the original breadboard model.
In 1964 unknown persons have decapitated the statue. Fortunately, there was saved the old plaster mould on which a new head was made. Criminals haven’t been found.
To tell the truth, there were such talks that the act of vandalism was committed by the Danish writer and the artist “situationist” Jorgen Nash, who has confessed in 1997 in his memories that it was him who has sawn off the Mermaid’s head and drowned it in one of Copenhagen lakes.
Also tagged denmark, war
In the summer of 1984 hooligans have cut off the Mermaid’s right hand. These were two young guys, who came to police and admitted, that they committed this barbarous act being drunk. Hooligans were punished only for “the municipal property defacement”, and the Little Mermaid was reconstructed again.
In 1990 someone had almost cut off its head, having cut practically the whole neck.
In 1998 it was decapitated once again, however there was found a fragment, and the sculpture has been repaired.
In 2003 on September, 11 the Little Mermaid has been thrown into the water from the pedestal on which it was established.
On December, 16, 2004 the sculpture was dressed in veil and attached with the tablet ” Turkey in EU? “( in connection with the Turkey intention to enter the European Union).
On March, 2007 vandals in witness of hundreds tourists have dyed the bronze sculpture in pink. It was returned the original form with the help of a special soap solution.
On May, 15, 2007 unknown vandals have painted the head and left hand of the Little Mermaid in red.
On May, 20, 2007 unknown persons have dressed the sculpture in a Muslim dress and hijab.
Iuri Tarabanov writes about interesting travel experiences. His
Travel Deals site is http://www.travelime.comCaribbean Mermaid Camille
Ahh…sunshine, warm open air, and a protected lagoon, all the elements for a perfect day with a beautiful young girl. Lera couldn’t wait for the chance to finally pose naked in this pristine natural paradise. Speaking of pristine, Lera’s looking as fresh as ever these days. Welcome to summer. Welcome to paradise!
See Camille’s idyllic seaside photos
The Ten Best Movie Songs of All Time
A good song has the potential to make or break a movie. Some songs can salvage bad films and make good films even better. Then there are certain songs that are so memorable it’s impossible to get them out of your head and out of your heart.
The following is our list of The Best Ten Movie Songs of All Time. Many of these have won Academy Awards and some have won Grammy’s, but we are sure that inclusion on our list will be their greatest accomplishment yet.
“Over the Rainbow” - Wizard of Oz (1939)
Few movie songs of the past or present can reach “Over the Rainbow.” Written by E.Y. Harburg and Harold Arlen, and performed by Judy Garland, this song caught us up in hopes and ideals, and made us forget all about the Wicked Witch of the West. A song that allowed Garland to hook her ladder to a star, “Over the Rainbow” is, plainly put, the mother of all movie songs, or at least the Auntie Em.
“When You Wish Upon A Star” - Pinocchio (1940)
Is it just me, or is Jiminy Cricket so cute when he sings that you want to throw away every bottle of insect spray sitting under your kitchen sink. “When you wish Upon a Star” not only won an Academy Award - thanks to the talents of Ned Washington, Leigh Harline, and Cliff Edwards - but it has also become Disney’s anthem over the past seven decades.
“High Hopes” - A Hole in the Head (1959)
So apparently, Frank Sinatra can sing. Bellowing out the tune written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn, Sinatra found himself with “High Hopes”…high in the sky apple pie hopes. A song that was a hit, it turns out his hopes were high for a reason.
“Moon River” - Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)
A song that helped make Breakfast at Tiffany’s one of the most memorable films of all time, “Moon River” was written by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini. Legend states that an executive wanted to remove the song from the movie, but Audrey Hepburn fought to keep it in.
Had the executive proven victorious, he might have just been up a moon river without a paddle. It is one of only a handful of songs to have received both an Academy Award for Best Song (in 1961) and a Grammy Award for Song of the Year (in 1962).
“Edelweiss”- The Sound of Music (1965)
Written by a duo who just might have known a thing or two about music (Rodgers and Hammerstein), “Edelweiss” was The Sound of Music song that took a backseat to more popular tunes, such as “Do-Re-Mi” and “My Favorite Things.” Nonetheless, the performance of the song, its metaphoric qualities, and the fact that it was the last Oscar Hammerstein II ever wrote, is one of the most memorable moments of the entire film.
“New York, New York” - New York, New York (1977)
The song that made us all want to be a part of it, “New York New York” was first performed in its title movie by Liza Minelli. However, Frank Sinatra was the one who really made the tune famous, seemingly adopting it as one of his theme songs. Despite this, our favorite rendition of “New York, New York” is showcased in Gremlins 2, when it’s passionately sung by a group of the mischievous little creatures.
“What A Feeling” - Flashdance (1983)
A song and a movie that made us all want to get up and boogie, “What a Feeling” was a tune that many of us probably found ourselves working out to in the mid-eighties. Written by Giorgio Moroder, Keith Forsey and Irene Cara, who also provided vocals, “What a Feeling” helped Flashdance do for torn sweatshirts what Bill Clinton’s administration did for Gap Dresses.
“Let The River Run” - Working Girl (1988)
Working Girl is a movie about the little guy (in this case the little guy is Melanie Griffith) who finishes first. A movie that makes us wish a mean and deceiving Sigourney Weaver would have gotten eaten by aliens, one of the most memorable things about Working Girl is Carly Simon’s rendition of “Let the River Run.” It’s inspiring, it’s enlightening, and it’s worthy of winning an Oscar.
“Under The Sea” - The Little Mermaid (1989)
A song performed by Samuel Wright and written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, “Under the Sea” is one of the best songs to ever come out of the movies hands, er….fins, down. It’s fun, it’s clever, it’s detailed, and it makes us second guess ourselves whenever we go to Red Lobster.
“Seasons of Love” - Rent (2005)
Okay, so it’s not completely crazy that a Broadway musical turned movie would have a few good tunes. Rent, housing Jonathan Larsen’s memorable songs, didn’t disappoint. But, one song stood out from the rest: “Seasons of Love.” We like it so much that we’d listen to it 525,600 times.
Also taggedTop 10 In-Demand Honeymoon Destinations
The honeymoon is a very important part of a newlywed married couple’s life. Both of them want to make the event memorable so it requires careful planning and considerable time to plan it.
There are many honeymoon themes available for couples like romantic honeymoon, dream, exotic, island, luxury, beach, mountain, tropical, adventure, winter, safari, and exclusive honeymoons.
If you want to decide on the theme of your honeymoon, and to help you with that task, you can find the top ten list of honeymoon destinations here.
Before checking out the list, there are certain things to consider before choosing your honeymoon destination like -
- in planning for your honeymoon, make a listing of different places that both of you would want to visit, and the activities that you want to be involved in - the honeymoon budget - how long do you plan to spend on your honeymoon - get as much information of your chosen destination - shock each other with surprise plans
Every couple is excited for their upcoming honeymoon. And so they should choose a honeymoon destination that will suit their tastes and preference. Here is the list of top ten honeymoon destinations:
1. Bora Bora
If you want to add a captivating aura for your honeymoon, a Bora Bora vacation is the top-most choice. You can enjoy the crystalline seas and powdery beaches of this beautiful place. Spend quiet evenings together along the beach coast as you watch the moon and stars above. A couple nice places to visit would be the Bora Bora Le Meridien or the Bora Bora Bora Pearl Resort.
2. Mauritius
This magical place with the Mauritius weather,landed on the second place as a top honeymoon destination. Holiday Mauritius, in case you are going during the holidays, is also very popular. This place will truly enchant you and you’re sure to get personal attention. Set on a turquoise sea, the island is considered an oasis of tranquility and peace.
3. Barbados
This is an island in the Caribbean that allures many honeymooners with their white beaches, quixotic atmosphere, and turquoise seas. The island boasts of its sophisticated and charming sandy shores that are alive with so many possibilities, so you will find much to do, such as a, Barbados shore excursion. You can enjoy the Barbados activity and picture taking. You’re sure to wake up in a paradise, together with the tropic’s rhythm.
4. Maldives
If you want to visit an impressive place that is secluded and calm, and is most ideal for honeymooners, this is the perfect love spot for you. Enjoy a Maldives honeymoon with the island sun and Other places like, some of the island Maldives royal, island Maldives Sun, where The Little Mermaid Dive Center is located, for instance, on Sun Island, Maldives. This is located 100 km from Male International Airport, on the uninhabited island Nalaguraidhoo.
5. Aruba
This place is also called the lover’s paradise. The couple can enjoy their stay in this romantic place and receive champagne upon arrival. They will also receive a gift, as a souvenir that they’ve been to Aruba. These days, they also offer a promotional ‘free night’ on a return visit. If you are looking into an Aruba vacation package, they offer cruises to Aruba, there are beautiful locations such places as Palm Beach, and Aruba fishing, Aruba deepsea fishing, even an, Aruba wedding, if you like.
6. France
You can also find mountain slopes, beaches, cathedrals, monuments, and museums in France that caters to honeymooners. There are some great vacation packages for those seeking honeymoons in France, especially as it is considered a ’short break’ to France. Another cool idea would be to go camping France, or make it a camping holiday in France, as it is your honeymoon.
7. Thailand
In this country, you can find sun-kissed waters and seas. Become one of the Thailand woman, or a Thailand man, or Thailand nude if only for a few days with your loved one. They also boast of their exquisite Thai cuisine and attracts many newly weds. Be Thailand sexy with a full moon party. Just watch out for tsunamis in this gorgeous country of Thailand, in the event that you fall into a deep, delicious sleep with your partner after all that fun and sex on the beach! Just playing.
8. Singapore
You can find a lot of botanic gardens and natural environment in this country, and you’re sure to have an unforgettable honeymoon. For a great Singapore singapore vacation, Tiger Airway Singapore offers some affordable packages and airfare to those wishing to enbark on Singapore travell.
9. Seychelles
If you want a tropical honeymoon, this place could best suit you as a couple. They offer powdery, Seychelles beaches, and islands meant for lovers; it’s a great place to experience romance like the waves that caress the shores at midnight. A seychelles honeymoon may be just the thing for you.
10. Italy
Many honeymoon couples are attracted to this beautiful country. You can find painters, paramours, poets, and potentates in this boot-shaped country. Its light, sumptuous, and dreamy landscapes are meant for romance. You can visit, como Italy lake, hotel in Italy venice, Italy Sorento,italy little maggianos, a fine restaurant known for their incredible cuisine, plus much more.
So there you have it, the top ten honeymoon destinations, preferred by many couples.
Esther is a wife, mother and small business owner who lives in WA state with her family. She enjoys family life, writing, and Internet marketing, among other things. For more helpful Tips & Books on: Romantic travels, Weddings, and Honeymoon destinations, please visit: http://rivierabooks.2ya.com
The Tale of the Mermaid’s Tail
The First Merman
The first mermaid was a man. The god Oannes, of the Babylonians, was sometimes depicted as a man with a fish’s tail. He is described in writing as having the head and body of a fish, but under the fish head was a man’s head, and under the fish tail was the feet of a man.
Oannes is said to have brought civilization to man. He was a mystical god dispensing wisdom and teaching writing, law, the arts of agriculture and various sciences.
The goddesses Venus and Aphrodite are both associated with the sea. Aphrodite was born from the sea-foam, in fact her name means “foam-born”. When the powerful god Typhon attacked Olympus the frightened gods fled to Egypt and disguised themselves as animals. Aphrodite took the form of a fish.
There we have the legend of Melusine and the image of the two-tailed mermaid in heraldry.
For a brief period during the Middle Ages mermaids with wings were carved on tombstones. These are probably descendents of the bird-sirens used in classical times. They are meant to represent both mourners and guides bringing the spirit of the dead to the afterlife.
After this long, eventful trip we arrive back where we started. The modern mermaid image is the traditional lady with a tail but there is a difference.
http://www.beautiful-mermaid-art.com/mermaid-mythology.html http://www.beautiful-mermaid-art.com/legend-of-the-mermaid.html
As well as some great mermaid art at: http://www.beautiful-mermaid-art.com/mermaid-art-gallery.html
Oannes is said to have brought civilization to man. He was a mystical god dispensing wisdom and teaching writing, law, the arts of agriculture and various sciences.
Feathers
We use the word siren as a synonym for mermaid today but originally the sirens were bird-women. This is the source of their beautiful singing voices. There were two or three of them according to different authors.
The sirens were daughters of Earth whose songs were dirges and their job to carry the deceased king to the land of the dead. Later on their role was expanded to ferrying any mortal to the land of the dead. Bird sirens were carved on tombstones in classical times.
The sirens lost their wings, or at least their ability to fly, after losing a singing contest with the Muses. The Muses were daughters of Zeus associated with the fine arts.
Some later pictures show the sirens flying about Odysseus as he sails past their island. He had his men stuff their ears with wax against the sirens’ song but he wanted to hear it. He had himself tied to the mast of his ship and told his men to ignore any orders he gave while under the sirens’ spell.
Tails or No Tails?
For the Greeks the person-with-a-tail form was restricted to men. Females associated with water were usually nymphs. Beautiful creatures but they always had legs.
The Nereids were sea-nymphs and the daughters of Nereus and Doris. There were 50 of them. Their father was famous for his ability to foretell the future and change form. The former ability appears from time to time in mermaid stories. His form-changing ability also reappears with certain mermaids. Especially, those who have legs on land and a tail in the sea.
The goddesses Venus and Aphrodite are both associated with the sea. Aphrodite was born from the sea-foam, in fact her name means “foam-born”. When the powerful god Typhon attacked Olympus the frightened gods fled to Egypt and disguised themselves as animals. Aphrodite took the form of a fish.
Two symbols of Venus are her comb and mirror. We all know that mermaids are also associated with these things. For the mermaid the comb and mirror symbolize vanity. The mirror is so closely associated with Venus that the symbol for the planet Venus is a mirror (the circle with the “+” under it).
One other I should mention is Echidne. She was half lovely woman and half speckled snake. She lived in a deep cave where she ate men raw and raised a brood of monsters with her husband Typhon.
I often think that snake-women are the true source of the mermaid form because the mermaid’s tail is long and curvy. Fish, even dolphins and whales, have stiff tails that cannot bend very much.
One Tail or Two?
For the next step in mermaid evolution we have to take a trip to France in the Middle Ages.
There we have the legend of Melusine and the image of the two-tailed mermaid in heraldry.
In the legend, Melusine agrees to marry a man on condition that she be left alone one day a week to do as she pleases in private. After some years the man becomes jealous and breaks into her room. There he discovers that his wife has assumed the form of a two-tailed mermaid. Angry that he has broken his promise Melusine leaps out of the window and he never sees her again.
In heraldry the two-tailed mermaid is shown full face with the ends of her tails held in each hand. Both types of mermaids symbolize eloquence. If she has her comb and mirror with her then it means vanity.
The two-tailed mermaid is the basis for the Starbuck’s logo. It has been somewhat edited because some people found the original image too sexually suggestive.
Scales and FeathersFor a brief period during the Middle Ages mermaids with wings were carved on tombstones. These are probably descendents of the bird-sirens used in classical times. They are meant to represent both mourners and guides bringing the spirit of the dead to the afterlife.
Recently, the winged mermaid has begun to appear again. She is usually some combination of mermaid/fairy or mermaid/angel. Sometimes she is called a sea-fairy or sea-angel. Generally, she seems to represent both a protector and a link between our mundane lives and the spiritual world.
The Modern MermaidAfter this long, eventful trip we arrive back where we started. The modern mermaid image is the traditional lady with a tail but there is a difference.
From her centuries of evolution she has gained a large number of associations, attributes, forms and powers. These may appear in any combination. The only limit is the creative imaginations of people writing and telling mermaid tales today.
By Vincent Carlucci. You can find many more myths and legends about mermaids at the following pages:http://www.beautiful-mermaid-art.com/mermaid-mythology.html http://www.beautiful-mermaid-art.com/legend-of-the-mermaid.html
As well as some great mermaid art at: http://www.beautiful-mermaid-art.com/mermaid-art-gallery.html
