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Hafmeyjan – an Icelandic Mermaid Statue

A gorgeous statue of Hafmeyjan - icelandic for mermaid - can be found perched on a granite block in lake Tjörnin, located in Hljómskálagarður park, near City Hall in Reykjavik.  map

The Hafmeyan (mermaid) in Reykjavik.  Photo by Rich Daley.

The mermaid statue is by icelandic sculptor Nína Sæmundsson.   It is a recast from the original mold, as the original 1948 statue was damaged many years ago.  The statue was originally placed in the lake, then was later moved to a couple different locations in the park near city hall, and was eventually reinstalled in the lake as you see here.

As in many other cultures, there is a myth about a mermaid in Iceland who sits on a rock in the sea and attracts sailors with her song - after which they disappear forever into the depths in her embrace.

Iceland\'s Hafmeyjan (Mermaid) Statue by Nína Sæmundsson.  Photo © Bjarki Bragason.
Iceland\'s Hafmeyjan (Mermaid) Statue by Nína Sæmundsson.  Photo © Bjarki Bragason.
Iceland\'s Hafmeyjan (Mermaid) Statue by Nína Sæmundsson.  Photo © Bjarki Bragason.
Iceland's Hafmeyjan (Mermaid) Statue by Nína Sæmundsson.  Photo © Bjarki Bragason.
Iceland\'s Hafmeyjan (Mermaid) Statue by Nína Sæmundsson.  Photo © Bjarki Bragason.
The Hafmeyan (mermaid) in Reykjavik.  Photo by Rich Daley.
Iceland\'s Hafmeyjan (Mermaid) Statue by Nína Sæmundsson.  Photo © Bjarki Bragason.
Iceland\'s Hafmeyjan (Mermaid) Statue by Nína Sæmundsson.  Photo © Bjarki Bragason.
Iceland\'s Hafmeyjan (Mermaid) Statue by Nína Sæmundsson.  Photo © Bjarki Bragason.
Hafmeyjan by Nína Sæmundsson
Iceland's Hafmeyjan (Mermaid) Statue by Nína Sæmundsson.  Photo © Rich Daley
Iceland\'s Hafmeyjan (Mermaid) Statue by Nína Sæmundsson.  Photo © Bjarki Bragason.

References:
● https://safneign.listasafnreykjavikur.is/is/verk/H-156
● http://icelandreview.com/news/2014/06/14/jon-gnarr-receives-mermaid
● The Mermaids of Earth coffee-table book: See page 56 in the book about this sculpture.

Mermaids of Earth coffee-table book

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This site is about mermaids on planet Earth

Why? Because mermaids are all around us. Lots of them. No, not actual live mermaids of course…

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