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Many people think the Starbucks logo is a mermaid, but the truth reveals a deeper mythological story. Let’s explore the real siren behind the iconic green cup. Who Is the Mermaid in the Starbucks Logo? The Story Behind the Siren and Seiren In July 1999, the first Starbucks store in Korea opened near Ewha Womans University. Now it's a coffee shop you can find almost everywhere. People even say, if a Starbucks opens somewhere, the location is already proven. Starbucks logo @Wikimedia Starbucks is known for its green color and the siren symbol. The green, called “forest green,” represents nature, freshness, and growth. Maybe it means they want to grow steadily by using fresh coffee beans. The siren in the Starbucks logo is a mermaid. These days, the image looks like a woman with long hair holding a fish in each hand—but actually, those are her tails. Usually, when we think of a mermaid, it's the kind with one tail like in fairy tales. But the Starbucks mermaid has two tails. ...

Many visitors to Piccadilly Circus in London believe they’re seeing a statue of Eros, the Greek god of love. But the truth is more surprising. This article reveals the real identity of the statue and why the confusion persists. The Origin of Piccadilly Circus and the Statue of Eros It was Saturday evening. I picked up the second volume of Hermes Lives in New York . I happened to open the part that mentions "If you go to Piccadilly Circus in London." As I read, a few thoughts came to mind, so I decided to jot them down. cc by SA 4.0 @ Wikimedia A circus square with acrobats? Even as a child, I knew Piccadilly Circus was a square. But because of the word "circus," I thought it must be a plaza where circus troupes often came to perform. That assumption stuck with me for a long time. As time passed, I learned that "circus" doesn’t mean performers but something round. Still, I misunderstood again—thinking it came from the English word “circle.” Maybe, in ...

The Evolution of the Typewriter: From Manual Machines to Word Processors Summary: A poster of a bright red Olivetti Valentine typewriter sparked a journey into the history of typing. From the early Remington models to Korean manual typewriters, and eventually to electronic machines and word processors—this post explores how writing tools evolved alongside our culture and technology. The Valentine Olivetti Poster The Valentine Olivetti Poster The top of the poster reads: “A symbol of pop art, an anti-machine machine.” A typewriter as a pop art icon? A machine designed to resist the machine? That’s quite a concept. Below, it says, “The original laptop. A portable work of pop art.” It’s clearly a machine, but it seems to go beyond that—it transcends its mechanical function to become something closer to art. A beautiful, colorful object that’s not just functional, but expressive. Remington typewriter advertisement from the 1900s @ Wikimedia A Brief History of the Typewriter When...

From rolling thunderclouds to delicate feather-like cirrus, the summer sky is full of meaning. This post introduces four types of clouds you can easily spot and what they reveal about the weather. 4 Types of Summer Clouds You Can Spot in the Sky – From Roll Clouds to Cirrus   A typical summer sky filled with fluffy cumulus clouds. I snapped this while driving past the city — the kind of view that always makes me look up and smile. 4 Types of Summer Clouds You Can Spot in the Sky – From Roll Clouds to Cirrus Have you ever seen a cloud so big and dramatic it looked like a tsunami? That’s exactly what happened recently off the coast of Portugal, where a massive cloud formation swept across the sky like a giant rolling wave. At first glance, it was hard to believe it was a cloud at all. 1. Roll Cloud (Stratocumulus) That incredible cloud from Portugal is called a roll cloud , a type of stratocumulus cloud . It forms when hot air rises from the land during the day and is late...

The Maya Civilization built incredible cities—but could their passion for red paint have poisoned them? This post explores a striking theory behind their sudden fall. Did Red Paint Poison the Maya Civilization? The Maya Civilization suddenly disappeared around the 9th century. While drought, wars, and disease are commonly cited causes, recent research suggests that mercury poisoning from red paint may have played a critical role. The red outline shows the Maya civilization © Wikimedia Commons The Maya civilization thrived in Mesoamerica from around 2000 BC until the 17th century. It was known for its advancements in mathematics, architecture, art, astronomy, and calendar systems. They were the first to introduce the concept of zero, and their solar calendar was even more accurate than the Julian calendar. What’s fascinating is that Maya cities were built with almost Stone Age-level tools, even though they had grand palaces, pyramids, observatories, and ball courts. They only starte...

Think bottled water is safe? You might be surprised. From rooftop tanks to monsoon rains, here's what I learned—and what you can do—about microplastics in everyday drinking water. Is There Microplastic in the Water You Drink Every Day? 3 Practical Tips to Reduce It Did you know your bottled or tap water might contain tens of thousands of microplastic particles? From filtering tap water to avoiding plastic bottles in extreme temperatures, here are three practical ways to reduce your exposure—along with insights from my personal experience. Even bottled water contains plastic right now... How Microplastics Harm the Body They carry pollutants: Microplastics absorb toxic substances from the environment and carry them into your body. They accumulate in the body: Plastic particles may cause inflammation and disrupt immune functions. They interfere with hormones: Microplastics can disturb the endocrine system and impact reproductive health. A doctor once told me how menst...

Summary: In Insadong, I came across a curious item made from tiger whiskers—called hosu (虎鬚) . Learn how these whiskers became accessories in Joseon-era military dress, and explore the refined elegance of historical Korean men's fashion. Hosu (虎鬚): Tiger Whiskers and the Elegance of Joseon Military Attire A few days ago, I visited Insadong and stumbled upon a curious object at the Insa Art Center. It looked like a tiny broom made of dried twigs, just the right size to fit in an adult man's palm. Too small to be a broom, too coarse to be a brush—what was this mysterious item? Just then, one of the staff said, “That’s hosu .” Hosu? As in lake (湖水)? Or maybe horse ? Hose , like the one for watering trees? I was even more confused. Then they clarified, “It’s tiger whiskers.” Wait—tiger whiskers? That long, thick, and stiff? Tiger whiskers used as traditional accessory @pexels Until then, I had only seen tigers in zoos or documentaries. I imagined them to be large an...

What Is Pulp Fiction? – Pulp Fiction: Meaning, Origins, and How It's Used Today 1. What Does “Pulp Fiction” Mean? When people hear "Pulp Fiction," most think of the 1994 movie directed by Quentin Tarantino, starring John Travolta, Uma Thurman, and Samuel L. Jackson. With its unique plot structure, unforgettable characters, and stylish direction, it’s considered a legendary film to this day. Cover of a pulp fiction magazine, 1940s (CCbyPDM1.0) But the phrase “pulp fiction” has been around much longer than the movie. “Pulp” refers to the cheap paper used in early 20th-century American magazines that became incredibly popular. These magazines featured sensational stories about crime, detectives, horror, and sci-fi—what we might now compare to web novels or B-movies. In short, "pulp fiction" originally meant "fiction printed on cheap pulp paper." 2. The Origins of Pulp Fiction Pulp fiction-style stories gained popularity in the early 1900...

Post-COVID Effects? Take Care of Your Heart and Brain for 3 Years Summary: If you've had COVID-19, your risk of heart attack and stroke may remain elevated for up to three years. A recent study reveals alarming links between past infection and vascular health issues. Here’s what you need to know—and how to prevent them. What Should You Watch Out for After COVID-19? According to an October 9 report from CNN, researchers from the University of Southern California (USC) and Cleveland Clinic found that people who had COVID-19 face a significantly higher risk of heart attack and stroke for up to three years after infection. 250,000 participants from the UK Biobank were analyzed Study groups: 11,000 people who tested positive for COVID-19 in 2020 vs. 222,000 uninfected individuals Risk of heart attack and stroke was 2 times higher for infected people; more than 3 times higher for those who were hospitalized People with blood type O had lower risk than those with type...