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The Symbolism of Hair in Mermaid Art

Hair in mermaid art is never just decorative. It is one of the main ways artists make the mermaid alluring, dangerous, wild, and recognizable. Loose, flowing hair can suggest sensuality and the movement of water; combed hair can signal vanity and self-display; unusual hair colors can mark marine otherness. This entry explores why mermaid hair became one of the strongest symbols in the whole mermaid image tradition.