The Little Mermaid, Still making Waves in Today's World. Blog 48, nguptatravelscrapbook.blogspot.com

The Little Mermaid: Still Making Waves in Today's World, Blog 48 Written on 21/08/2025

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Mermaids have no tears, and so they suffer all the more!

A famous quote by Hans Christian Andersen

The Little Mermaid

Established on a string of islands, Copenhagen is laced with bright and sleek waterways and boasts some of the most alluring architecture in Northern Europe. It is also often referred to as the Venice of the North. Copenhagen, a city also known for its charm, cycling culture, and Scandinavian design, offers an overabundance of experiences for tourists, from the iconic multicoloured buildings of the Nyhavn harbour to the historic Tivoli Gardens and the Little Mermaid Statue.

Cycle culture in Copenhagen

During my recent cruise voyage on Princess Sky, touring the Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Sweden, Estonia, Finland, and Norway), we witnessed a remarkable display of resilience among the cruisers. Despite a stormy, heavy, splashy, monsoon-like rain persisting for the entire duration of our ship's docking in Copenhagen Harbour, almost all the shipmates turned out at the Copenhagen Harbour to see the Little Mermaid statue. It was a testament to the adventurous spirit of the passengers and the strong, well-fixed desire to see the statue. 

On Princess Sky

What was so special about the Little Mermaid?    

I had glimpsed the Little Mermaid when I visited Copenhagen in 1999 for the first time. The statue was inconspicuous, somewhat unknown, situated in a harbour with a background of a complex, incomplete building site. Over the years, The Little Mermaid, still unnoticeable, has gained massive popularity as a tourist attraction, partially due to various vandalism episodes associated with the statue. I will relate a few of these incidents a bit later in this blog. 

District of Nyhaven, Copenhagen

Who is the lady on the rock in Copenhagen?

The Little Mermaid, called Den lille Havfrue in Danish

It is a bronze and granite statue by Edvard Erikson depicting a mermaid becoming a human. 

Unveiled in 1913, The Little Mermaid was a gift from Danish brewer Carl Jacobsen to the City of Copenhagen. The sculpture has been perched in the waters at Langelinie Pier in Copenhagen Harbour alongside a famous promenade since then.

A beautiful, wistful young lady astride a submerged rock just off Copenhagen Harbour, the Little Mermaid statue is one of Denmark's most popular tourist attractions. Nation's beloved, that she is, has lived an exciting 100+ years since first being sculpted early in the 20th century. This small yet imposing mannequin is a Copenhagen idol and has been a major tourist attraction for some time now.

New York on a stormy day 

So how did it come into existence, and who was the original creator of the character?

What is the story behind the Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen?

Carl Jacobsen, a famous Carlsberg brewer based in Copenhagen, was overwhelmingly impressed by the ballet "The Little Mermaid", based on a fairy tale written by Hans Christian Andersen. Although a prolific writer of plays, Andersen is best remembered for his scholarly and engaging fairy tales for children. The Little Mermaid is one of the most celebrated and unforgettable fairy tales of Andersen, portraying the storyline of a mermaid being turned into a human being out of love and devotion. Carl Jacobsen commissioned the sculpture of The Little Mermaid in 1909. The sculptor, Edward Eriksen, sculptured the mermaid in bronze and granite, using his wife Eline as a model for the body.

Mermaid is amongst some of the other iconic sculptures that represent cities, including the statue of Manneken Pis in Brussels; the Statue of Liberty in New York, USA; Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Nelson's Column and Eros in London, UK.

 

I am next to The Little Mermaid on a rainy day.

Why is The Little Mermaid in Denmark so special?

The Little Mermaid represents the epitome and the free spirit of Copenhagen. Her popularity stems from her emotional tales of love and sacrifice, coupled with a historical richness that endows her with an eternally iconic status in Copenhagen and beyond. She is not just a statue, but a symbol of the city's spirit and solidity.

What are the moves, vandalism and insults this glorious sculpture has gone through in the past? 

The activists and demonstrators find the statue an easy target to express their emotions, faiths and beliefs to the world.

The statue has been damaged and trashed many times for various reasons, but has been rehabilitated each time. Its head has been cut off and destroyed, arms and hands sawn off, or most of the statue pushed and thrown into the waterbodies of the harbour. Holes have been drilled in its body, but then repaired repeatedly. Various coloured paint has been slobbered over the statue to bring political issues into the open. These acts of vandalism are not just attacks on a statue, but on our city's heritage and identity. 

In the wake of the  Black Lives Matter movement, the statue was vandalised with the words "racist fish" scribbled on its stone base. 

People have repeatedly dressed the statue, for fun and to make serious statements. The statue has been wrapped in a black burqa, or dressed in a hijab. The statue has been dressed up in Norwegian and Swedish football jerseys, along with Christmas decorations on its head.

The Copenhagen tourist board is considering shifting the statue further back into the harbour to prevent or minimise vandalism of any kind involving the statue. This potential relocation is part of a larger effort to protect and preserve this iconic symbol of Copenhagen.

Copenhagen culture

What was my impression of The Little Mermaid?

While some find it a must-see attraction and a symbol of the city, others are disappointed by its size and lack of grandeur, deeming it a "second most disappointing attraction". I found that the little mermaid is smaller than I had imagined. And the statue wasn't that spectacular after all. There was a massive crowd of people around the statue, even in the pouring rain. The stones around the statue are very slippery and uneven. The backdrop is not that picturesque, and the eager crowds are still ridiculous. However, I also appreciate the statue's historical significance and the stories it tells about Copenhagen's past and present. 

Copenhagen, The Greenest city in the world

Vinod, my husband, is enjoying his drink on the streets of Copenhagen

Nestled in a network of waterways on the edge of the Baltic Sea, Denmark's capital city, Copenhagen, offers a promise of royal palaces, enigmatic courtyards, and bustling squares. The inner city is on Zealand, the larger island, while across the channel, the little Amager has a charm all of its own.

Copenhagen canals

Copenhagen, the Greenest city in the world in 2024, is leading the way towards a sustainable future as it strives to be the first carbon-neutral metropolis by 2025. The Danes' dedication to digital sustainability and preserving their way of life in a pristine environment is a beacon of hope. We were enchanted by the traditional buildings, new architectural wonders, scenic canals, and the rows of old buildings bursting with colour and charm. Copenhagen truly lives up to its reputation as the 'most liveable city in the world', and we can't wait to return. We were equally impressed by the extensive cycle and pedestrian lanes that crisscross the city, some with their bridges, which not only preserve the environment but also inspire a healthy lifestyle. Overall, a worthwhile visit to Copenhagen city!

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