Sirens are mythical creatures from Greek Mythology (Siren). They are half woman half fish and sometimes winged (Olsen). The word "Siren" was a term used to describe daughters of a sea god (Siren). These "dangerous seductresses" (McCaffery), were not only beautiful but also had a gift to sing lovely hypnotic songs (Siren). Sirens would lure innocent sailors to shipwreck with their beautiful features and songs (Siren). Sirens were portrayed as "symbols of temptation by the Catholic church" (Olsen). They were often depicted with a comb or a mirror (McCaffery) The comb symbolizes luxury and the mirror symbolizes vanity (McCaffery).
The Sirens live on a rocky island near the homes of other Greek mythology's mythical creatures Scylla and Charybdis (Siren). In the epic "The Odyssey" by Homer the character Odysseus survives an encounter with the Sirens by having his crew stuff their ears with wax to block out the music coming from the Sirens and he tied himself to the mast of the ship so he wouldn't steer the ship off course upon hearing the sweet songs of the Sirens (Siren). Sirens are believed to have no soul and can only acquire one through marrying a man (Olsen). It's also been said that when sailors steal a Sirens magical item, such as their mirror or comb, a Siren will sometimes marry the man and return to the sea after recovering her stolen items (Olsen). The modern day mermaid was modeled after the Sirens (Siren). Except the fish-woman that feature in modern tales are usually less cynical and mischievous than the Sirens.
Works Cited
McCaffery, Elisabeth. "mermaid." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2014. Web. 28 Mar. 2014.
"Odyssey: Phaeacian Tales, Part 2." Nov 17. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Mar. 2014.
Olsen, Kirstin. "mermaids." Daily Life through History. ABC-CLIO, 2014. Web. 28 Mar. 2014.
"Siren." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2014. Web. 27 Mar. 2014.
"Odyssey: Phaeacian Tales, Part 2." Nov 17. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Mar. 2014.
Olsen, Kirstin. "mermaids." Daily Life through History. ABC-CLIO, 2014. Web. 28 Mar. 2014.
"Siren." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2014. Web. 27 Mar. 2014.