Page 7 - Q02-2021_Fins-Magazine
P. 7

EDITOR TO MERMAID
              documentaries that contain fictitious subject      the opportunities to have quality time with
              matter: subjects and established experts and       families and loved ones in a fun, positive, and
              organizations.                                     inclusive environment through DIY projects,
 Mermaids AREN’T
                                                                 conservation education, and awareness and
              COSPLAY                                            exercise.  Enthusiast mers can be found in
              Cosplay is defined as dressing up as a             community meetups, conservation activities,
 real????     character. Mermaids are often assumed to           mingling on social media, and spreading the
              be cosplayers.  A natural categorization is        magic of mermaids.
              that mermaids are people that put on a tail
              and think they are real mermaids.  Mermaid         OCEAN AMBASSADORS
              cosplayers appreciate the mermaid world and        The sirens of the seas are passionate about
              all the artistic uniqueness they can indulge in    their oceans.  Active in spreading awareness
              their character.                                   of an urgent need to take better care of the
                                                                 Earth’s waters.   Advocating positive changes
              ENTERTAINMENT                                      for positive future generations can enjoy
              Professional entertainers don fabric and/          the oceans and waters we love.  Freshwater
              or silicone mermaid tails to perform for           mermaids and saltwater mermaids combine
              audiences everywhere.  Treating their              their voices to encompass all waters of the
              spectators with mesmerizing performances           world.
              underwater or on land, the demand for
              mermaid entertainers is growing.
                                                                 REAL MERMAIDS
              With their beautiful and majestic underwater       Mermaids are not just a simple definition of
 LET’S GET REAL   performances,  merfolk  can   be   found       half-fish and half-human beings. Mermaids
              mesmerizing onlookers at aquariums, casinos,
                                                                 are amazing living, breathing beings that
              renaissance fairs, bars, dive centers, and other
                                                                 possess a spirit. A spirit that is advocating for
 ABOUT MERMAIDS  venues around the world.  On land, they can     the biodiversity needs of our oceans while
              be found fully immersed in their mersona
                                                                 safely swimming in beautiful fish-like tails
              (mermaid persona).  Whether performing
              for children of all ages, they enchant their       and creating a positive, inclusive community
                                                                 that supports one another in an enchantingly
              audiences at conventions, festivals, parties,      magical and uniquely beautiful way.
   BY:  PATRICIA PASTRANO ©2021 by Patricia Pastrano  resorts, and various other settings.
              EDUCATORS                                          Hannah Mermaid puts it best in her TEDx Talk:
 ‘MERMAIDS ARE REAL.’  Mermaids are defined as mythological   Professionals with degrees and doctorates   Turning Fantasy Into Reality. Hannah Fraser

 creatures, half fish, half-human, usually a   use their mermaid platforms to engage   described how simply it could be defined.
              audiences of all ages in conservation
 A statement said all the time in the world of   woman with long flowing hair. However,   education.  As a bridge between land and   The combination of  MER, meaning ‘of the
 mermaids.    through my experiences swimming in   water, mermaid educators are an innovative   sea’ and MAID, meaning ‘servant,’ leads us to
 this world of mermaids, there needs to be   way to join the magic and fantasy and fiction   the definition of a mermaid at its most basic.
 Most often, it is seen as inviting, positive, and   some different versions of the definition of   with facts and science to educate our youth.
 supporting. But, for others, the statement is   ‘mermaid.’      Mermaids are the servants of the Sea.
 offensive and blasphemous.  ENTHUSIASTS/HOBBYISTS
 SCIENCE      Collection of merfolk that just want to be         At the end of the day, I realize there are always
 Our world today does have mermaids.   From the scientific perspective, mermaids   a mermaid!   In recent decades, it seems   different perspectives to be had in every
 However, there are many types of mermaids   are not really based on the current   there has been a mermaid to inspire each   situation.  With unique needs, environments,
 not within the current definition, a constrained   definition. There has been no scientific   generation. With the likes of Daryl Hannah,   and points of view, it can be argued whether
 definition  based  on  cultural  myths  and   proof that mermaids are real.  There are   Ariel, Aquamarine, or Mako Mermaids, there   or not mermaids are real.
 legends dating back to the first written   ‘mockumentaries’ that have plagued the   are several motivational figures to choose
 accounts of humanity.  We are thousands   scientific world.  This creates a challenge   from.    I know based on what I know and what I have
 of years past the origination of these fables   because it distracts from the fact-based   seen, servants of the Sea are real.
 and stories. With a need to protect the past   information they need to communicate.    Enthusiast  mermaids  are  generally
 and reflect the current world’s existence of   Their audiences want to focus on the ‘facts’   recreational in nature.  They may enjoy some   I have found them.  I am one.  I am a mermaid.
 mermaids, here are some of the different   they saw in the documentaries instead   or all the things that mermaiding offers.  Some
 perspectives I have been introduced to that   of their fact-based messages.  To further   reap the rewards of improved physical health   Until next time…………
 maybe warrant additional definitions for   add, abundant speculation exists that the   from all the swimming they do.  Others value
 mermaids.  documentaries are, in fact, mockumentaries,



 6  fins-magazine.com  fins-magazine.com                                                                             7
   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12