The Starbucks mermaid is actually a medieval French water spirit named Melusine.
In short: The two-tailed figure on the Starbucks logo is not a generic mermaid, but a legendary creature from European folklore. This video explores the origins of Melusine, a supernatural entity whose image was adopted by powerful noble houses to signify their lineage and foretell major life changes.
Melusine appears in medieval European traditions as a shape-shifting figure, depicted variously as a mermaid with two tails, a woman with a serpent's lower half, or a dragon. Despite her reputation as a supernatural being who avoided religious services, she held significant cultural status among the elite. Noble families, including the houses of Lusignan, Anjou, and Plantagenet, frequently linked their ancestry or heraldry to her, believing she served as a harbinger of death or transformation.
The literary connection between Melusine and the broader Arthurian mythos was solidified in the 14th century by the French author Couldrette. He integrated her into the legend of the Good Knight of England, a character within King Arthur's court. This association helped cement her place in medieval lore, transforming her from a local spirit into a figure of aristocratic prestige.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Folktale of Melusine, the Medieval Face of the Starbucks Logo
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-the-folktale-of-melusine-the-medieval-face-of-the-starbucks-.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Medieval life · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
