Sirens and Mermaids are often confused due to the fact that both are known for sitting on rocky coastlines and causing the wreck of ships by luring the sailors too close to shore. In Greek mythology references to mermaids refer in fact to the Sirens. Appearance:
Sirens or Sea nymphs (originally "Seirenes") of Greek mythology, were originally described as having the body of a bird and the head of a woman and changed over time to include many other forms, from fully humanoid to partially fish-like.
History:
There is dispute as to the number of the Sirens ranging from two to five, and being known by as many as ten separate names.
- Qelxioph (Thelxiope) "Charming Voice"
- Qelxinoh (Thelxinoe) "Charming-the-mind"
- Qelxiepeia (Thelxipea) "Charming"
- Molph (Molpe) "Song"
- Piesinoh (Pisinoe) "Affecting-the-mind"
- Aglaofwnov (Aglaophonus) "Splendid Sounding"
- Aglaoph (Aglaope) "Splendid Voice"
- Parqenoph (Parthenope) "Maiden Voice"
- Ligeia (Ligea) "Clear-Toned"
- Leukwsia (Leucosia) "White Substance"
The Sirens were formerly the handmaidens of the goddess Persephone. When Persephone was abducted by Haides, Demeter transformed their bodies into the bodies of birds and sent them to assist in the search for Persephone. After a time they abandoned the search and settled on the flowery island of Anthemoessa.
That is the usual way the myth is told although there are also versions of the story that say the transformation of their bodies was as punishment for not having protected Persephone, after which they were sent into exile.
Yet another version has the goddess Aphrodite(?) giving them the bodies of birds because they wished to remain virgins.
Adventures:The Sirens are well known for their enchanting voices, with which they would sing and call to passing ships which would be wrecked against the rocks. It is said that the island of the sirens was littered with the bones of sailors which the sirens had devoured.
Few ever survived encounters with the Sirens but one who did was the hero Odysseus. He knew of their bewitching voices and beautiful songs and on approaching Anthemoessa he ordered his crew to tie him against the mast of their ship. He then had them fill their ears with wax so that as they passed the island he would be able to hear the Siren songs and yet his men could continue to sail the ship without being seduced.
In another legend the band of heroes known as the Argonauts were able to pass by the island safely because the musician Orpheus was aboard and sang so sweetly that the Sirens voices were overpowered.
Hera is said to have convinced the Sirens into a singing contest with the Muses, the Sirens lost and were deprived of their wings.
It is said that the Sirens committed suicide by throwing themselves into the sea after their encounter with either Odysseus, Orpheus or Hera.
Relationships:
There is no clear genealogy for the sirens. Their father was either the river god Achelous or the sea god Phorcys, and their mother was one of the muses; Tersichore, Melpomene, Sterope, or Chthon or was Gaia, the Earth. They were the handmaidens of Persephone until her abduction by Haides.
Symbols:The Sirens are associated with birds, wings, fish tails, song, shipwrecks, seduction and deceit. They are often portrayed playing flutes or lyres. Mermaids are often depicted playing with their hair or holding a mirror and comb - symbols of vanity, or at other times holding a sword and shield. The Starbucks logo is of a double-fish-tailed Mermaid.
Evolution:
Originally described as having the head of a woman and the body of a bird, this was later re-imagined as a woman's head and torso with birds legs and is now usually portrayed as being fully human in appearance. They are, however often referred to as having fishes tails or even as having double tails, so that they have a tail at the end of each leg or two fish tails instead of legs.
The image of creatures part human and part bird or fish is very common throughout the world, listed below are some of them.
Humanoids with bird wings:
- Nike, Boreas, Eros and the Gorgon sisters are other Greek mythological characters,
- Angels and Cherubs of the Christian religions,
- Horus and Thoth in ancient Egypt,
- Anzu, Siris and Lammasu of Mesopotamian mythology,
- Faravahar of Zoroastrianism,
- Lei Gong, a Chinese thunder-god,
- The Garuda,Eagle God mount of Vishnu in Hindu mythology,
- The Tengu of Japanese folklore,
- Tangata Manu of Easter Island.
- Oannes, a Mesopotamian sea god
- Atargatis, a Syrian goddess
- Oceanus, one of the twelve Greek Titans, he also had the horns of a bull
- Yemaja, the water goddess of the Yoruba people of Nigeria
- Mami Wata, a West African water spirit
Below is pictured his newspaper graphic for the exhibit and the body on display.
To this day sightings of Mermaids are often claimed. Even Christopher Columbus recorded seeing them, but said; "they are not as beautiful as the stories tell."
Bibliography:
http://www.connexions.co.uk/culture/html/mz.htm
http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/mythiccreatures/water/mermaids.php
http://www.answers.com/topic/mermaid
http://northstargallery.com/mermaids/MermaidHistory2.htm
http://applevenus.co.uk
http://pagesperso-orange.fr/cryptozoo/fabuleux/mermaid.htm
http://www.angelfire.com/realm/shades/mermaids/mermaidssirens.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/mermaid
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/siren
http://www.alishya.com/famedart/waterhouse-mermaid.jpg
http://z.about.com/d/ancienthistory/1/0/M/g/2/Odysseusand-thesirensbywaterhouse.jpghttp://traumwerk.stanford.edu/philolog/Odysseus-Sirens.jpg
http://zuljenah.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/starbucks-logo.jpg
(image from mermaid.net)