This paper examines the reasons behind siren’s portrayal as malevolent entities across various civilizations. This analysis of the cultural contexts and symbolic elements associated with sirens hopes to uncover the underlying fears, societal anxieties, and moral allegories that result in the perception that sirens are inherently evil. Consequently, the paper will begin by providing a history of the origin of the folklore regarding sirens and explain the siren’s typical appearances, tendencies, and motives. The paper will discuss the depiction of sirens in various artworks and describe why they are viewed as evil or as monsters. Lastly, the paper will conclude by comparing sirens with a similar mythic creature, the mermaid. Traditionally, sirens are known for their irresistibility and hypnotism to the sounds that enchant unsuspecting victims. Shipwrecks on rocky shores are often caused by sailors being enticed by the siren’s music, which is a captivating revelation about the siren’s powers. Given the siren’s relevance in folklore from various cultures, they have figured prominently in art, literature, and other forms of cultural expression throughout history. There are many ways in which artists have depicted them, often emphasizing their beauty and dangerous nature.
Mythology is a work of fiction that arose from various composers, artists, and storytellers in a culture who had a message to pass on to their society. The works of fiction, including myths, tales, and stories, also arose from real-life encounters of people who are said to have existed in the past. The examples are the famous songs of Hercules, a Greek demigod who inspired courage and strength in the younger generations. In the case of sirens, the origin of the myth and folklore derives from the Asian ‘soul-bird’ folk tales that told about a winged ghost that stole the souls of the living (Zimmerbaum 2023). The idea of the Asian folk tale traveled to Ancient Greece, where the story was retold, making the sirens into monstrous beings to prevent people from going far into the sea.
The sirens in Greek mythology were represented as dangers of the sea and the danger of temptation (Zimmerbaum 2023). One of the myths believes that two sirens were punished by Demeter, a Greek goddess who gave them wings (Zimmerbaum 2023). Other myths believed that the sirens were given wings to help search for goddess Persephone, whom Hades abducted (Zimmerbaum 2023). It is unclear from these varying representations which myth is the correct myth and which is an accurate representation of the folk tale. However, what is known is that it was not until the Middle Ages that the sirens were depicted as beautiful seductresses (Zimmerbaum 2023).
An example is the demonstration of sirens as having a beautiful face in Roman mythology as compared to the human-bird hybrid seen within Greek mythology (Zimmerbaum 2023). This re-imagination of sirens as alluring influenced the contemporary imagery of sirens, turning them into beautiful women who lured men to their deaths in the deep sea. Therefore, the history of the origin of siren myths and stories points to the Asian culture. However, it is uncertain which of the various versions of the story provides a true reflection of the original siren story.
Sirens are often depicted as human females from the waist up and as either birds or fish from the waist down (Kay 108). They are known for their stunning beauty and for the beauty of their signing, which both act as an enchantment to lure sailors to their deaths. In a poem narrating Odyssey’s encounter with a siren, the siren is described as having blue eyes that radiated light, glowing foreheads that were decorated with coral, iridescent back, and golden and watery arms (Rodoreda 188). The siren had long, black hair that was spread across silk and a bird appearance that blinded Odyssey’s eyes (Rodoreda 188). The siren sat on a crystal bed and sang a sweet song, luring the sailors to the island where she sat. The result is broken sails and shipwrecks as the sailors fail to steer away from the island and are enchanted to follow the siren into dangerous waters, resulting in their death (Rodoreda 188).
In a famous painting by an English artist, Wiliam Etty, in 1837 (insert), Odyssey’s encounter with the sirens is reimagined away from the typical hybrid form to depict sirens as young, naked women. The painting named “The Sirens and Ulysses” shows the sirens sitting on an island, surrounded by dead men in various states of decay. In the distance is Ulysses’ boat in chaos as the sailors strive to overcome the looming storm, shown as dark clouds gathering behind them and Ulysses’ enchantment to follow the sirens. The painting and the poem all reflect the beauty portrayed by the sirens and their deadly nature as they lured men to their island, resulting in their deaths.
In mythology, there is an intricate balance between good and evil. The ideals of good and evil are often in conflict, giving rise to the idea of monsters and heroes who need to defeat these monsters (Hantke 199). The idea of monsters is a universal, cross-cultural superstition that has been passed down for generations in folklore stories and myths. Research evidence demonstrates that monsters are often supernatural, mythical, or magical products of the human imagination (Hantke 199). The depiction of a monster is of a being that humans often find terrifying and dangerous. The description of these beings in some of the mythical artwork and folklore is of a being that might bear frightening demeanor, often being described as gigantic, human-eating, hybridized creatures that are out of this world (Hantke 199).
The imagination of monsters in mythology is determined by researchers like Hantke to be a projection of human fears (Hantke 199). Therefore, by the mere fact that sirens are depicted as hybridized creatures that often cast spells on their target, luring heroes away from their quest and ending up killing their targets by drowning, they would qualify to be classified as monsters. Their ability to deflect sailors in their course, often making them lost in the sea, is one of the siren’s qualifications that make them evil. Also, Hantke, in his book, believes that monsters exist so that heroes can defeat them, thus demonstrating the superiority of good versus evil (Hantke 199). Therefore, the ability to deflect an individual’s life course and the requirement of a supernatural being with better qualities to defeat the siren make the siren evil or a monster.
There is a striking resemblance between the myths, poems, and stories that were told about sirens and mermaids. The most apparent similarity between the two myths is that both creatures were females with the most attractive female forms, such as long lash hair and fair skin. They were also hybrid creatures where the siren assumed a half-human, half-bird appearance, and the mermaid assumed a half-human, half-fish appearance. Both creatures were often depicted as being spotted sitting on a rock in the sea and often targeted men in their primary encounter. However, over the years, one of the two mythic creatures, the mermaid, became a beloved folklore and made into a Disney princess while the siren was interpreted and carried forth as a monster in modern myths. Despite these depictions in modern contemporary artworks, the story of the mermaid and the siren in original folklore are very similar.
The mermaid mythology from the early 19th Century is thought to be the first works of mermaid myths and stories, derived from renowned ballads by composers such as Eliza Pace in 1937 and James Herridge, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and . Lloyds A., provide a cautionary tale about mermaids. The composers described a figure that was sighted mainly through sailors in the deep sea, often sitting on a rock, holding a comb and glass (Winick 2018). The creature was typically a human female with long yellow or black hair and a fish from the waist down. The female sat on the rock, combing her hair, and sang sweet songs that attracted the sailors’ attention and brought on harsh winds and turbulent seas that cracked the sailors’ boats and killed them by drowning (Winick 2018). The turbulent sea was often depicted as turning the boat in a round and round motion that created fear in the sailors’ hearts, making them bid their families goodbye as they regret that their family members would be left all alone (Winick 2018). In a final composition by Eliza Pace’s “The Mermaid,” she makes a warning call to all single or unmarried men not to set sail in the sea for fear of death at the hands of a mermaid (Winick 2018). However, over the years, the dark tale of the mermaid has been rebranded through various artworks, turning it into the famous and beloved story that it is today. However, going by the old original folklore about mermaids, the mermaid, and the sirens were both viewed as monsters because they lured sailors to their deaths using their beautiful appearances and songs. The death resulted from drowning as the sailor’s boats were shipwrecked and lost to the sea forever.
The paper has demonstrated an emerging fascinating narrative from the origins and mythology of sirens cross-culturally, examining their symbolic significance and diverse interpretations. The history of the mythology of sirens is laden with varying stories about the exact legend, which questions which of the culturally defined folk tales is the correct interpretation of the original myth. The earliest records of the myth cross-culturally are derived from Asian culture and adopted into Greek mythology in European countries. The Greek interpretation of the myth is that of a goddess’ companion who was provided with wings to help find the missing goddess. The creature in Greek mythology was a symbol of danger in the sea and a danger of temptation. The symbolism of the myth has been carried forward throughout generations. However, the imagery of the creature changed in the Middle Ages from a hybrid monstrous creature to a beautiful seductress, starting with her representation in Roman mythology. The story’s plot is not different from the original dark tale about mermaids who lured men in the sea to their deaths with sweet melodies that summoned storms and wrecked boats. The critical difference between these two tales is that the mermaid was reimagined through modern contemporary artwork into a beloved princess, while the siren assumed a terminal symbol of danger. This author believes that the mythology of the siren is a captivating read that attracts numerous questions regarding which cultural folk tale provides an accurate representation of the original siren story.
Further anthropological research into the origin of the folk tale is required to provide an accurate representation of the history and background of the myth. Therefore, there is a need for further research outlining the timeline in history from the origin of the myth and the modifications it has received over the years to provide a beautiful account of the myth seen today in modern artworks. Overall, the mythology offers a fascinating narrative with strong symbolic interpretations that point to danger and temptation.
Works Cited
Hantke, Steffen. “Monsters: Evil Beings, Mythical Beasts, and All Manners of Imaginary Terrors.” College Literature, vol. 32, no. 1, 2005, pp. 199–201. ProQuest.
Kay, Sarah. “Sirens Enchantments, or, Reading Sound in Medieval Book.” Substance, vol. 49, no. 2, 2020, pp. 108–132. ProQuest.
Rodoreda, Merce. “Ulysses and the Sirens.” New England Review, vol. 44, no. 2, 2023, pp. 133. ProQuest.
Winick, Stephen. “The Mermaid”: the fascinating tail behind an ancient ballad.” Library of Congress, 24 May 2018.
Zimmerbaum, Hugh. “Sirens in Greek mythology.” Study.com, 11 December, 2023.
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