Banff: Merman Map of the World
I was doing some spring cleaning and came upon a brochure titled “The Merman Map of the World.” My immediate thought was “Where the hell did I get this?”
Turns out it must have been from a trip to Banff a few years back. Who knew Banff Trading Post has a “first class specimen!” A quick count and there are 28 mermen listed on the map, including a whole bunch in the United Kingdom.
Upon opening the tiny brochure, I began examining the individual images and quickly realized these are not sexy female forms with fish tails, but ugly, scary, skeleton figures that could result in nightmares - turns out they weren’t “mermaids” but “mermen.”
I flipped it over and there were 10 more images from Japan, which has a rich history of “Ningyo” sightings (literally, human-fish). The brochure says they posses both good fortune and evil omens, but it doesn’t say how to tell the difference which seems like an important piece of information. They all look evil to me.
It does say that in recent times many have been shielded from public view and you will need to make an appointment to view them and “pay your respects.”
Banff Merman can be found at the Banff Trading Post
Two Types of MermEn?
Turns out there are two types of mermen:
1. Screaming type that balance upright on the curve of their tail, with hands up by the face, reminiscent of Munch’s famous painting – The Scream. These tend to be the older ones.
2. Crawling type balance on their belly, with prominent rib bones, with arms extended out front and horrible facial expressions.
Finland Merman
Mead Merman
Monaco Merman
London Merman
Montana Mermaid Experience
If you are interested in a fun “merMAID experience” head to the “Sip ‘N Dip” lounge in Great Falls, Montana. While the Polynesian “tiki” lounge opened in 1962 in the O’Haire Inn, it wasn’t until the late ’90 that the glass swimming pool the encompasses a feature wall in the lounge started to feature mermaids.
In 2003, GQ magazine named the lounge the #1 bar worth “flying to.” And yes Daryl Hannah star of the mermaid movie “Splash”, has reprise her role by swimming in the pool with a mermaid tail.
I am sad to report “Piano Pat” who sang jazz tunes most nights starting in 1963 until she passed away in May 2021. She was half the fun of the “tiki lounge” experience. Even so, if you find yourself near Great Falls, Montana the “mermaid experience” is definitely worth a visit.
Last Word
Back to “The Merman Map of the World,” I wonder if someone’s bucket list to visit all of mermen in the world. I think I will pass, but next time I am in Banff I will check out the Banff Merman in the Banff Trading Post.
Footnote:
After writing this, I finally remembered picking up the brochure at Banff’s Curbside Museum which was inspired by the Banff Merman a few kilometers away. The Curbside Museum is a picture frame on a fence at 30 Pinewood Crescent that is filled with rotating curiosities to create intriguing mini exhibitions. It is definitely a fun off-the-beaten-path tourist attraction.
Banff Curbside Museum
Curbside Museum installation