Princess Profiles ~ The Sea King’s Daughter
The Little Mermaid is a literary fairy tale by Hans Christian Anderson, that is, it does not have an oral tradition but was written as a part of a collection of original Fairy Tales by the famous Danish author. I find it one of the most moving of his stories and also very beautiful in description.
The Little Mermaid is the daughter of the King of the Sea 
literally a sea-princess. Her castle is of pearl and shells and rests deep beneath the waves. She is an interesting character, instead of being rescued by her Prince she rescues him. She also has a great curiousity about the land above the waves and goes to amazing lengths to try to earn the love of her Prince, giving up her beautiful voice and spending each day in pain caused by her new legs and feet.
I can understand how she could be seen as a rather bad role-model for women, in that she gives up everything for and is solely devoted to her Prince, even when he does not return her affection. However I don’t think the story is meant to teach us to be that way, but rather expresses the anguish that is unrequited love or yearning for something we can not attain. It is such a sad, beautiful tale and I think any one who has loved or desired something out of their reach could easily relate to the Mermaid’s choices. For losing that dream, can almost feel like dissolving in to sea foam, in to nothing, when a part of us dies.
You can find the original version of the tale here. I read it again today, for I haven’t in quite a long time, and was moved near to tears. I always wondered if she wasn’t given a name, because she didn’t have a soul and what her name would have been when she aquired one.
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January 17th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
I think H.C.Andersen was actually Danish and not Dutch. ;)
January 17th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Thank you! Fixed.
January 17th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
It is so sad a story, beautiful but sad. She gave him everything and he didn’t even know it. I almost cried at her sadness and kindness.
January 17th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Thank you for posting this, the little mermaid has been my favourite story since I was a child. Its so beautiful and moving. Also that is a beautiful Macoto image you put with the story.
January 18th, 2008 at 1:58 am
I love the Little Mermaid. I loved the original H.C. Anderson story since I was…
well, as far as I can remember. xD
I don’t know why, but today I feel attracted towards it because it’s like a tragedy. And I can relate to the princess when it comes to the part where she had to go through pain and suffering to try and get her prince, never ended up doing so, yet she never did seem to regret the mistake she made of going after him.
January 18th, 2008 at 5:57 am
I love mermaids. The Little Mermaid is one of my favourite fairy tales.^^
bises !
January 18th, 2008 at 7:20 am
I love The Little Mermaid and actually read a short biography on HC Anderson.
He actually wrote the story inspired by a woman whom he loved. Alas, she did not love him back.Unrequited love =’(
January 18th, 2008 at 11:49 am
Ah, yes, the pain. The feeling of my heart shattering and the light of my spirit dimming, when the one I loved took my vulnerabilities and twisted them to use against me. The prince turned out to be an ogre in disguise. I had to let go when the dream dissolved into a nightmare, he nearly destroyed me. I am grateful to have let go. I am now with a King of a man who made me Queen of his castle and Princess of his heart.
January 18th, 2008 at 11:55 am
Sometimes life gives you happily ever after as a reward for surviving the transformation of losing everything you think will make you happy.