Author Archives: Omar Hernandez Cano

The Effects of Mythological Syncretism : Final Essay

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As the human race continues to progress over time in terms of technology and more information is gathered from areas that were previously never seen or documented, it leaves the people with less room for interpretation leading to a decrease in spiritual and emotional connection with the environment through folklore and mythology. While one may believe that in order to achieve a universal connection between cultures, a single, monolithic system or ideal must be created and accepted by all, this very mentality has led to indigenous deities and spiritual figures in general to become altered or in other cases completely eradicated. In the Penguin Book of Mermaids, the topic of diversity as it relates to deities (more specifically merfolk) is discussed and shows how it is human nature to want one solitary answer or spirit to represent a place (like the sea) that is meant to be shapeless, undefined, and in constant movement.

The portrayal of the mermaid has been discussed throughout the course and although almost every depiction includes a common physical characteristic with the half-fish and half-human body, the difference in regards to how mermaids were “used” to convey a message varies significantly from region to region. This opposition to the idea that the mermaid is supposed to be a universal symbol that has the same meaning in every depiction is not only discussed in Cristina Bacchilega and Marie Alohalani Brown’s The Penguin Book of Mermaids, but emphasized in the text when referring to the folklore of the indigenous in the Caroline Islands located in the Western Pacific, “These kind of interactions express an understanding that merfolk and water spirits are part of an animated universe, the powers of which are neither good nor evil but must be respected” (16). It is the actual diversity that is present in merfolk that gives the reader an insight of what the culture believed in spiritually and morally and as it is said, there was not a true definite answer to what certain native tribes from around the globe believed the merfolk to be, but what they were certain of is that they should be honored and respected, just as one were to respect the seas.

John William Waterhouse, A Mermaid (1900).

Variety is needed in literature just as much as it is needed in the environment and although it has been mentioned all throughout the course that the European depiction of the mermaid is what is normally accepted by modern society to be the illustration they are more familiar with, the central idea of their stories tend to incorporate more warnings through the symbolism, “Within a European context, mer-wife plots vary, but at the outset they often hint at or showcase the maidens difference, and they rarely have a happy ending” (Bacchilega and Brown 16). Now as previously mentioned, without diversity as it relates to literature and the environment, the creative tales that personify the elements of nature would essentially have the same central idea and the same message if all of the deities and nymphs from various parts of the globe would have been merged with religious figures.

What is astonishing however is the fact that even in today’s society, the idea that the mermaid has but one depiction – European features with a fish-like tail that is symmetrical – is a concept that is still confusing considering the various indigenous tribes that had their own depiction of the mermaid (tribes in North America, Africa, South America, etc.) which they designed with features similar to them, and of course, nothing like the European depiction of the mermaid. This idea that the majority of people believe that there is a single artistic of the mermaid was proven to be true after the release of the remake of “The Little Mermaid” which was the topic of the 2022 article, “Disney’s Black mermaid is no breakthrough – just look at the literary sub-genre of Black mermaid fiction” where the appearance of the live-action Ariel caused a tremendous amount of controversy (a public outcry that I vividly remember). The mermaid is meant to be dynamic and not supposed to fall under a category or label, but despite the countless variations of mermaids that exist, the film was still met with criticism largely due to the appearance, “The fact that Disney’s portrayal of a nonwhite mermaid is controversial is due to 150 years of whitewashing” (Pressman). Further showcasing the effects that follow when an equal amount of cultural representation in regards to folklore is not respected or practiced in society; other cultures’ mythology ends up being altered to appear vastly different or forgotten over time.

Poster of Mami Wata printed in the 1880’s by the Adolf Friedlander Company in Hamburg

If the paintings included here are analyzed and the historical context behind these are not to be considered, one can already see two distinct differences…differences that completely change the way one can interpret the art if nature is considered. In the Mami Wata “poster” the deity has a combination of a somewhat blank expression, and look that is supposed to display conviction. However, this is not the most significant detail of the painting that sets it apart from the Waterhouse painting. The contrast that is clearly visible is that in the Mami Wata depiction, the deity is embracing the natural; calm and collected as the serpent has traveled all over the body. In comparison, the mermaid in the painting by Waterhouse, the water spirit is facing away from the waters, facing away from nature, and all the while combing her hair. With these distinctions between the two mermaids, this can then be used to demonstrate what could be lost if two cultures are merged which is certain lead to some aspects being lost in translation. While more exposure can result in more people connecting through religion, syncretism does not always have a perfect mixture of native folklore and prominent religions, “In most cases, the driving factors behind covert syncretism are either the intentional preservation or unintentional maintenance of indigenous cultural beliefs or practices that find inaudible expression in mainstream belief practices” (Thinane 2023). Although this is an oversimplification of syncretism that is done discretely, it is still relevant as it relates to the depictions of merfolk.

Folklore is meant to be tailored to a societies specific set of beliefs and traditions which can then make other communities understand what different cultures used to (or continue to) admire, respect, or follow. But when various distinct mythological tales and figures are merged this results in later generations losing touch with the unique stories their ancestors believed in or showed consideration for which will eventually lead to those said stories and spirits being forgotten or altered to the point where they share no resemblance to their original depiction.

Work Cited:

Bacchilega, Cristina, and Marie Alohalani Brown, editors. The Penguin Book of Mermaids. Penguin Books, 2019.

Pressman, Jessica. “Disney’s Black mermaid is no breakthrough – just look at the literary subgenre of Black mermaid fiction.” The Conversation. 2022. https://theconversation.com/disneys-black-mermaid-is-no-breakthrough-just-look-at-the-literary-subgenre-of-black-mermaid-fiction-194435

Thinane, Jonas. “Uncovering Covert Syncretic Holy Water among ANPCs in South Africa.” Religions, vol. 14, no. 9, Sept. 2023. Gale Academic OneFile, dx.doi.org.libproxy.sdsu.edu/10.3390/rel14091139. Accessed 17 Dec. 2025.

Week 16: Takeaways

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This course was my first introduction to the topic of mermaids as far as on an academic level is concerned and while I initially had in mind the idea that they were used as a symbol of lust, desire, and vanity, I now realize that my viewpoint in regards to the mermaid was not entirely accurate due to the wide variety cultures that depict merfolk in many different ways (I thought mermaids were strictly a part of Western culture). After close reading Undine, Melusine, The Little Mermaid, and the tales of Mami Wata, I was quite astonished to find out that all of these stories have such a strong message that is being told through illustration (serpent, fish, and unclothed humans) and symbolism to demonstrate how dynamic the relationship between humans and nature is.

After realizing just how significant the mermaid is not only in terms of mythology but in the Environment, it further made me confused as to why more people do not see the mermaid for what it is – a being that has been depicted to warn, to guide, to protect, to yearn, and to go as far as to self-sacrifice if it will help others. Now as we covered throughout the course, the paintings and images that were shown also depicted the mermaid as being vain (the mirror and comb) this very fact is something that makes the viewer realize how mermaids are no different than the “two-legs” since communities are bound to have a variety of different characters even if they are from the same place and brought up in the same environment. However, this same treatment was not so common in the mermen with their portrayal typically showcasing a more “wise” and “powerful” role in society. Although mermaids are still to this day associated with children and fairy tales, I now know what they truly represent; not strictly used to teach a lesson, but to build a bridge between the known and the unknown.

Week 15: Chapter 5-8

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Delving into this Chapter of River Solomon’s The Deep, I notice that it starts off in a hectic moment where Yetu is parting ways from the wajinru and is consistently facing obstacles that makes it that much more difficult to achieve or journey, “Yetu focused on making sense of her surroundings. There was nothing solid that she could see. No land. No boats. No birds. Just water and sky” (pp. 69). This internal struggle Yetu faced has now been matched with the harsh and unpredictable environment which reflects the overall erratic experience when getting caught up with other societies and abilities (breathing out of water).

This sort of tense moment then shifts to a more mournful tone when Yetu meets the last member of the Oshuben tribe named “Oori” which mentions how everything and everyone they once knew has either passed on or has been destroyed. Not only did this bring back memories of class where the correlation was made between Yetu (and now Oori) and people that ultimately have to carry the generational trauma for ages, sometimes for the rest of their lives. The difference in the way Oori and Yetu have processed their past experiences is reminiscent of studies where two completely different people can go through the same events and or treatment, yet interpret them in their own unique ways. The pain and the suffering aspects of life seems to consistently occur with many believing that it is “unfair,” but as Yetu soon realizes and comes to term with, the best way to respond to this resistance is to face it head on.

Final Essay: Preparation and Research

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After reading new pieces of literature and analyzing short films that focused on untold history and multicultural spirits (which we went over in class as well), this made me want to revisit my second discovery, and incorporate more historical information and credible sources to back up my claims and arguments. Considering my second discovery consisted of Mesoamerican water spirit Tlanchana, I would like to showcase more of the parallels between ancient societies in regards to folklore and specifically as it relates to water deities and these connections will be made by accessing the Penguins Book of Mermaids, as well as Scaled for Success: The Internationalisation of the Mermaid by Philip Hayward which speaks of this phenomenon. I am still at the part where I am trying to conceptualize the “So What?” part of my thesis but I intend for it to demonstrate the influence the environment has on humanity and how altering ones perception of the environment (introducing new theologies and forbidding previous beliefs) can result in a form of desensitization where one may slowly start losing the connection they once had with nature.

Tlanchana: Syncretism in the Americas

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The Pre-Columbian Era was a time of innovation, engineering accomplishments, and
astonishing mythological tales. Among the indigenous folklore and figures that were praised and respected, one of the most controversial ones was the goddess Tlanchana. This ocean goddess was said to be a protector of the people and guardian of the sea for the Matlatzinca culture which incidentally predates the Mexica (Aztec) period. Despite this significance, after the arrival of the conquistadors, Tlanchana was altered from its original portrayal (which was considered demonic due to the half-snake characteristics) to a more “appealing” appearance of a mermaid. This alteration further showcases how certain beliefs are shunned and often replaced with alternate interpretations from a monotheistic point-of-view, and also proves that ancient legends and deities are only deemed important in history when it is told from the perspective of the powerful which in this case, were the explorers.

Leading up to the events of the complete control of Tenochtitlan by the Spaniards, conflicts were already brewing even between the indigenous tribes of Mexico making it that much more difficult for a firm cultural and spiritual monolith to be established within the natives. This very challenge subsequently lead to Catholicism being spread all throughout the Americas; leaving many native goddesses behind through ways of destruction, war, and religious conversion of the natives. Despite this tumultuous environment however, some indigenous deities did manage to be brought into New Spain’s Catholic culture, only difference is that it was done by mixing which is now known as “Mexican Syncretism.”

With this context in mind, the alteration of the water deity Tlanchana from original “half-serpent” form to a more “half-fish” form is becoming increasingly more understandable, not morally of course, but from a theological standpoint considering the symbolic connection between the devil in Genesis taking the form of the cunning snake. This urgency from the Spanish to change the original depiction of the ocean deity Tlanchana because of the serpent aspect and tie in with nature, yet approve of the mermaid-like traits is reminiscent of other cultures that have had their own deities altered by Europeans as mentioned by Scribner, “But these accounts warn men to control their desires, to keep their wits about them in the presence of a ‘supernatural’ beauty that represents, at the same time the power of nature. Rather than cautioning men against the dangerous power of powerful female beings in the European tales, these tales enjoin respect for nonhuman life and divine power” (18). Although this excerpt is in regards to Hawaiin spirits, it further demonstrates the impact European explorers and colonists had on these territories that already had an established society with traditions, going as far as to re-writing indigenous spiritual figures to convert them to a new form of life, subsequently removing that strong connection with nature that they once had.

Artistic interpretation of Tlanchana before colonization (could change appearance from full-human to full-serpent at will). Illustration by Juan Alcázar. 1988.
Statue of Tlanchana located in Metepec, Mexico. Photo credits https://www.centrecannothold.com/blog/guzman-3

This change that was done by the Spanish to not only Tlanchana but other spiritual figures (most significant one being the Virgin Mary and the Aztec mother goddess Tonantzin) opened an entire new world for both the Mexica and Spanish civilizations since they both could now connect with a different form of nature spirit which is more centered around the actual environment through the elements. Unfortunately, as it is known, there was not much acceptance of the beliefs that were affiliated with indigenous tribes in Mexico since the Spaniards thought of these “elemental guardian spirits” as an act of heresy and instead implemented Catholicism amongst the tribes even with syncretism applied to certain native deities.

The “mermification” of Tlanchana is not just a mere modification, but a telling act that demonstrates how the people in power (conquistadors) were understanding of mythology and legends, only if it correlated with what they believed at the time; altering or erasing that which did not coincide with their religious views. These stories of old folklore and mythical beings are not just fictional tales that are meant to be thought of as fantasy with no deep meaning to it other than to be read or viewed for entertainment. Rather, these stories should be taken seriously not only because of tradition, but because they are telling of the social environment at that point in time. The reinterpretation of the water goddess Tlanchana’s from her serpent form to her mermaid form is much more than a superficial change, it symbolizes the cultural and environmental shift in regards to religion, class systems, agriculture, and ethnicity as well. A forgotten land in Mexico that had it’s own history to tell through the ways of nature and the people that inhabited the lands, now vastly different as a result of the exploration of the Americas leaving the powerless to adapt to a new culture and theology, where they still continue to follow today.

References

Alcázar, Juan. Juan Alcázar and Goddess Tlanchana. (2021). MuseoRalli Marbella.

Bacchilega, C., & Brown, M. A. (2019). The Penguin book of mermaids. Penguin Books

Week 12: A Place of Untold History

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There is bond between humanity and nature that is unfortunately unable to be told by either side. It either leads to biased opinions or beliefs from humans, or just information that is simply not able to be processed by humans. Despite this lack of information, there is a way that humanity can connect with all forms of life that have existed since the early formation of the planet, and that is the Ocean. In Derek Walcott’s poem The Sea is History, it tells about significant moments in time as well as scripture and how it is all tied with the environment through the sands, the tides, and the marine life. Now while history as we know it is respected and continues to be so, there is without a doubt history that was undocumented; a perspective from the people that did not have the privilege of writing down information nor accounts from their point of view leading to certain events being forgotten or lost in time.

Connections between the imagery of ships, artifacts, and events in the bible referenced by Walcott are made to showcase the undisclosed chronicles of the people that were traded and shipped overseas to places against their will,

“as the white cowries clustered like manacles
on the drowned women,

and those were the ivory bracelets
of the Song of Solomon,
but the ocean kept turning blank pages” (Line 20-24).

While history can be altered and is subject to change over time with more and more information being revealed by historians, there is no denying that there is truly no way of certifying past events truthfully, but this very statement then leads to the question of what is considered factual history and what is not? If one were to answer this from a colonialist point-of-view, there would be no denying that documented historical accounts are sacrosanct leaving very little room for other perspectives (i.e. opposing views). If this is the universal rule in regards to history, then where does that leave the history that was never written down, the history that was erased, and the information that was not believed to be true? The medium between what is believed to be true and what is believed to be fabrication is the environment and as mentioned by Walcott, “The sea. The sea has locked them up. The sea is History” (Line 3-4). To the countless number of people that have been forgotten in time, to the honorable and the broken, there is no other representation of their troubles and background, other than the environment and whether or not some may not consider it, the history is there in the waters, and it can’t be erased.

Week 10: Ocean Reader

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After spending a fair amount of time going through the vocabulary we use daily that is frequently centered around dry land (which I recall focusing on in the first weeks), it is only after reading the introduction of The Ocean Reader: History, Culture, Politics by Eric Paul Roorda that I truly noticed the “anthropocentric” mentality humanity tends to have and just how senseless it sounds when the ocean “currently covers 71 percent of the world, a figure that is certain to rise along with sea level” (1). This advantage in regards to sheer size that the Ocean has over land and with that size gap increasing should be telling of the fact that humanity tends to ignore and neglect issues whether economic or environmental only until the damage has reached catastrophic levels which at that point, the problem is either irreversible or tremendously challenging to overcome.

Now, this dilemma involving living in harmony with nature is incredibly complex because at is mentioned in the reading, “Humans interact with that system in many ways. They relentlessly hunt sea creatures, taking 90 million tons of fish from it annually” (3). The interactions that occur between humans and animals are bound to have more disparities than similarities due to the evident power dynamic, but this is not to say that there is no hope or that humans are the only ones that can destroy or “save” the environment when it is also mentioned by Roorda that factors such as the ring of fire and the shifting of tectonic plates can significantly affect and alter Terra as we know it, and that is something we as humans can’t possibly control.

Environmental Humanities: Filling the Gaps Between Art and Science

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There is a common habit people tend to practice in society and said habit is the need to divide the arts and humanitarian studies, from science and arithmetic studies. Now that is not to say I have not fallen guilty of this division and classification pertaining to scholarly work since of course structure and order is crucial in the world of academia. However, literature and art pertaining to the environment and of the sort are not as separated from the science field as I previously thought it was which I began to discover after reading The Emergence of the Environmental Humanities by Robert Emmett and David Nye.

The further I delved into the reading, the more I realized that at a certain point in time, there were civilizations and groups of people that did not know fact from fiction meaning that only the people that were well-read and dedicated to their studies could critically analyze written work and separate the scientific aspect of the work from the fantasy side. But with this being said, it also adds more layers to legends and folktales considering most of them had to be created with an understanding of science regarding the environment, “The environmental humanities provide historical perspectives on the natural and social sciences, pointing to how their agendas, initial goals, and occasional failures have been affected by political ideologies and economic interests” (5). I legitimately did not realize the amount of knowledge one had to have in order to speak or write about environmental issues when it pertains to humanities but in retrospect, it is almost a given that one needs to have a substantial amount of scientific research on the topic in order to form an interpretation through literary theory.

These correlations between science and humanities is something that should be addressed and thoroughly explained to any person that is involved or is thinking about pursuing a career in STEM since it is no secret that people that enter a more science-based field of study tend to view the arts as less important which both Emmett and Nye argue against, “The open-minded, constructive approach of the environmental humanities can motivate creative cooperation between the humanities and the sciences and can assist in the interpretation of scientific results” (7). While many will continue to argue that the gaps between science and arts and humanities are still apparent, there is still no doubt that critical thinking is extremely beneficial in scientific studies and has been utilized throughout history in literature and art in general.

An Insightful tale on Environmentalism; Disguised as an Action Film

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With modern films now being remakes of remakes and original stories getting neglected by major studios, this leaves films and novels to re-invent certain legendary tales. One of these relatively “modern” films is the 1995 film Waterworld. While this film’s core message displays the consequences of tampering with nature and the unknown, it also questions what it is to be human as well as demonstrates how society has progressed from shunning down diversity, to now appreciating the unique traits all beings carry.

The mid-90s film Waterworld tells the tale of a dystopian future where the Earth’s polar ice caps have completely melted, then leading to high sea levels covering every continent and leaving little to no dry land. This catastrophe then results in a form of “Darwinism” to occur where only the fittest and most innovative humans survive by building ships/boats and creating mechanisms enabling them to continue to live in essentially an aquatic desert. The main protagonist is known as “The Mariner” portrayed by Kevin Costner and excluding the evident “stereotypical virile hero archetype” he plays, the character does have depth and is in many ways an example of adaptation and assimilation in a society that is not diverse and not accepting of the unfamiliar.

Similar to previous readings involving aquatic-hybrid life and the seas, The Mariner is also misunderstood and misjudged by humans that treat him as a threat rather than as an ally with the sole motive for this unfair treatment being the fact that The Mariner has a genetic mutation. This very mutation being a pair of gills that allows him to respire underwater for long periods of time. Despite this legitimately being an advantage in a world completely submerged by the seas, as humanity tends to repeat not only in fiction but in reality as well, communities reject him and his abilities causing him to travel independently suffering countless moments of ridicule and criticism. The Mariner in instances like these can very well be a modern take on merfolk due to the hybrid attributes (e.g. fin-like phalanges and gills behind ears) he has which are subtle but impactful, but also because he is shunned from both human and and sea-life communities; not truly fitting in to either societies. Instead of uniting with a being that is accustomed to the ocean and embracing said being which will only benefit all parties involved, the survivors instead show signs of prejudice towards The Mariner displaying the societies inability to adapt themselves in an environment that is divergent from the earth they have known to live in; an anthropocentric earth.

This anti-progressive or “conservative” mentality that the survivors posses is an entitled opinion of which they have no right to believe in since the world is changing both socially and geologically which then leads one to pose a question, are humans the ones that should distinguish the normal from the abnormal when such diverse organisms exist? It is only when humans begin to understand the beauty of being unique and that adaptation is advantageous to all that we will progress as a society which is showcased in Waterworld. This ego-centrism from the survivors however slowly but surely starts to fade away with them realizing that they (the humans) are the odd ones out and that those who have begun to respect and admire the formidable power of the sea, as well as accept that society is changing just as much as the oceans currents are in perpetual motion, now have a better chance to live peacefully and blissfully, a way of thinking that all should encompass and practice in their lives to be in accordance with nature.

The Little Mermaid: Full Commitment. No Payoff.

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At first glance, it would be a lie to claim that one began read the story without thinking (at least subconsciously) about the Disney iteration. However what is truly surreal is the fact that the Hans Christian Anderson story of “The Little Mermaid” was truly nothing as expected in terms of tone and over all motives displayed throughout the tale. Apart from the huge disparities between the film adaptation and the tale by Anderson, there seems to be a reoccurring sense of longing for something that we as the readers, already know that it is only highlighting the positive aspects of being human without truly understanding the hardships and flaws humanity has to offer.

The claim that Anderson’s “The Little Mermaid” is a cautionary tale that showcases the attractive qualities of being a human is not only supported by moments where the characters glorify certain superficial and materialistic things, “The little mermaid swam close to the cabin window, and as often as the water lifted up, she peeped in through the transparent panes, and saw a number of well-dressed persons” (Penguins, 113). Now this is just an observation on the mermaids part and can entirely be done just out of sheer admiration for the clean and presentable appearance of the gentlemen, but it is also a telling piece of information which implies that this sort of fondness towards all things “classy” and “fancy” is natural and tailored only to humans (which is why the mermaid is so intrigued by the prince). Not only does this correlate with humans as a whole, but it also demonstrates the sacrifices women make in society as a result of marriage and motherhood which can be interpreted from the witch’s warnings, “if once you obtain a human form, you can never be a mermaid again!” (Penguins, 120). While not blatantly stated, this may very well be an allegory for dedicating ones entire life and leaving everything behind in order to seek for marriage and a relationship that is built on materialism and physical qualities. The ending (which is quite depressing) serves as an example of said sacred bonds that do not have a legitimate foundation comprised of love and understanding, rather one that is constructed by unrealistic expectations and hope which in the very end, leads the little mermaid to end up risking everything for someone that did not share the same passion.