Seed Talks: The History of Mermaids, Sea Spirits & Women

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Dive beneath the surface of mermaid lore, tracing their long histories and what they may reveal about wider society. Followed by Q&A.
Dive into the enduring allure of the mermaid with anthropologist Dr Helen Cornish, tracing centuries of myth, history, and storytelling. From ancient sea-spirits and classical sirens to medieval legends and modern reinventions, this talk reveals how mermaids have long embodied society’s hopes, fears and fascinations. They represent changing attitudes toward the sea, toward women’s power, and toward those cast as outsiders.

In this talk, Dr Cornish examines folktales from Cornwall including The Mermaid of Zennor and The Mermaid of Seaton. She’ll look at how these local tales evoke romance, vengeance and warning before expanding to global mythologies of merfolk and shape-shifting sea spirits. Dr Cornish will also examine how the mermaid’s modern revival speaks to evolving gender symbolism and anxieties about the ocean – where contemporary mermaids emerge not as temptresses, but as protectors of the sea.

This talk is 16+.