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{{Template:Species |
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| + | |Alternate Names/Spellings= Sirene, Seiren, Seirene |
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| + | |Origins= Greek Mythology |
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|Alignment = Chaotic Evil, Chaotic Neutral, Neutral Evil |
|Alignment = Chaotic Evil, Chaotic Neutral, Neutral Evil |
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|Element = Air/Wind/Sky, Mind/Spirit/Psychic, Sound, Water |
|Element = Air/Wind/Sky, Mind/Spirit/Psychic, Sound, Water |
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|Species = Nymphet |
|Species = Nymphet |
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| − | |Appearance = |
+ | |Appearance = Seductress (often bird-winged)... |
| − | |image = File:Small temptations of ulysses sirens.jpg |
+ | |image = File:Small temptations of ulysses sirens.jpg |
| + | |caption= The temptresses at work...}} |
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| − | |||
| + | [[File:Sirens_Sinbad_Track_11.ogg|thumb|right|The Sirens' Song, naturally recorded by a ''woman''...]] |
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==Origins== |
==Origins== |
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| − | Though numerous |
+ | Though numerous creatures exist with similar appearance, motive and ability, in mythical accounts worldwide, the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siren Siren] is a creature with origins in Greek mythology. |
| + | Most claim that the father of the [http://www.theoi.com/Pontios/Seirenes.html original] Sirens was the river-god [http://www.theoi.com/Potamos/PotamosAkheloios.html Achelous], though others say their father was actually [http://www.theoi.com/Pontios/Phorkys.html Phorcys] (a sea deity who was also the father of the [http://www.theoi.com/Pontios/Gorgones.html original] [[Gorgon]]s, and numerous other monsters). |
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| ⚫ | |||
| + | Their mother is most commonly said to be one of the [http://www.theoi.com/Ouranios/Mousai.html Muses] (either [http://www.theoi.com/Ouranios/MousaTerpsikhore.html Terpsichore] or [http://www.theoi.com/Ouranios/MousaMelpomene.html Melpomene]), though others claim they were born of the [[nymph]] [http://www.theoi.com/Nymphe/NympheSterope.html Sterope] (one of the [http://www.theoi.com/Nymphe/NymphaiPleiades.html Pleiades]) or even the Earth itself ([http://www.theoi.com/Protogenos/Gaia.html Gaia]). |
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| − | [[File:Large Sirens-1-.jpg|thumb|left|212px|Many a sailor has fallen prey to the song of the Sirens...]] |
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| ⚫ | In addition, some believe in the existence of only two original Sirens; others believed that there were three, while others thought that five existed. Though, most believe that there were as many as thirteen, and ascribe to them the names Thelxiepeia/Thelxiope, Thelxinoe, Molpe, Aglaope, Aglaophonos, Aglaopheme, Pisinoe/Peisinoë, Peisithoe, Parthenope, Ligeia, Leucosia, Raidne, and Teles. |
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| + | Many attribute the difference of the original Sirens' names to the sounds of the winds and the waves making their names difficult to hear. And the discrepancy in the ''number'' of the original Sirens is often attributed to their simply being present or absent at different times (some might only see Peisinoe, Aglaope, and Thelxiepeia, while others only see Parthenope, Ligeia, and Leucosia, and others only Aglaopheme and Thelxiepeia, etc). |
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| + | Furthermore, though most accepted accounts state they lived on the island of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthemoessa Anthemusa (Anthemoessa)], which was given to them by Zeus, there are other accounts which claim they live on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Pelorum Cape Pelorum], on the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirenuse Sirenusian Islands (Seirenoussai, Sirenussae)] near Paestum, or in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capri Capreae]. Some claim that this difference is due simply to wrongful identification of islands by inexperienced sailors. |
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| − | Their parentage also varies. Some designate their father as being Phorcys (a sea deity who was also the father of the original [[Gorgon]]s and numerous other monsters and sea creatures), while others say that their father was Achelous (a river deity). Their mother is often said to be one of the Muses (Terpsichore or Melpomene), or a nymph (by the name Sterope) or the Earth itself (Gaia). |
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| + | [[File:579743 - Greece Greek Mythology Odysseus Siren literature markman777 mythology.jpg|thumb|left|212px| They don't make resisting easy...]] |
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| + | At any rate, it is widely known that, before they went to live on their island home, the Sirens were friends and handmaidens of the goddess [http://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Demeter.html Demeter's] daughter [http://www.theoi.com/Khthonios/Persephone.html Persephone (Kore)], in her younger days. Though, eventually, Persephone would be abducted by the god [http://www.theoi.com/Khthonios/Haides.html Hades] to be goddess and queen of the Underworld. |
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| + | The Sirens took flight to search all over for her, yet they would look to no avail. And since their search turned out to be in vain, and they had been left without a mistress to serve, they instead settled down on an island, to live out the rest of their lives. |
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| − | The Germanic Siren, however, was singular. She went by Lorelei (also spelled Loreley); sometimes she was similar to the Sirens of Greek myth, while other times she was the [[Ghost|spirit]] of a jilted woman pining for her long-lost lover. Sometimes, she was even said to be an invisible [[Ghost|spirit]] whose voice was the only thing that remained of her after passing, similar to the Greek myth of the [[nymph]] Echo. |
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| + | Or so the tale goes, in some cases. Other accounts claim that Demeter stripped the Sirens of their wings in anger, upon hearing their failure to find her beloved daughter. As further punishment, they were said to have been ''banished'', exiled to live the rest of their lives in seclusion. |
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| − | One thing that the Greek and German mythos share, though, is the capability of a Siren to produce a song so lovely that, as sailors steered off course, attempting to reach the warm embrace of their assailants, they would be lured to a brutal death on the rocks of the island where the seductive songstresses resided. For the Greeks, that island went by the name of Anthemusa/Anthemoessa; for Lorelei, it was an immense rocky cliff which was named in her honor after her demise. |
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| + | |||
| − | [[File: 923 realsize.jpg|thumb|righ|252px|Sirens often sing in groups called "choirs"]] |
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| + | Though, some claim that the Sirens lost their wings because of the goddess [http://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Hera.html ''Hera'']. In these accounts, she persuaded them to challenge the Muses to a singing contest. The Muses won the contest handily, and to shame them for their loss, took their wings (or, more commonly, ''feathers'' from their wings, to make crowns). |
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| + | |||
| + | There is even a myth for how the Sirens came to be winged in the first place. While many believe that they were born with wings, others claim that they gained wings at their own request (from Demeter to help search for her abducted daughter [http://www.theoi.com/Khthonios/Persephone.html Persephone], or from [http://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Aphrodite.html Aphrodite] to escape potential lovers and suitors, so that they could always be virgins). |
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| + | |||
| + | Yet, some claim that the wings were punishment from Demeter, because the Sirens failed to help Demeter search for Persephone (which implies that they may have been useless to fly, and instead may have been a heavy burden to bear). |
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==Appearance== |
==Appearance== |
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| − | Due to their heritage, they are supernaturally beautiful. They are most often blonde (though other hair colors are possible--even those considered unnatural to other humanoids). In the same way, they vary from lithe and [[sylph]]ic to voluptuous and buxom in figure. What's more, some appear like normal human women; others have wings, others have a bird body from the waist down, some have a hybrid avian-woman body, and still others possess a fish tail in the place of any legs at all. Skin color also varies, as do the eyes (some have even been known to have turquoise skin, or pitch black eyes like a shark--perhaps a supernatural indication of their insidious nature). |
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==Behavior== |
==Behavior== |
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| − | A siren is always a charming and seductive being to encounter. They will never be caught with a "bad hair day" and don't require all the tedious upkeep of the average woman. They are dainty and demure without trying, while alluring and sexually attractive all at the same time. They are masters at the art of persuasion and enticement, knowing exactly what to do or say to get a man all hot and bothered. Naturally, this makes them the bitter rivals of mortal women. Though they refrain from physical combat or other physical shows of hostility (which would detract from their apparent charm and femininity), they often clam up, or even flee in a disdainful huff, at the mere sight of a woman (a behavior which gave way to the ancient Greek practice of not letting women board their ships, even as company on long voyages). |
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| − | |||
| − | [[File:Alluring Siren.jpg|thumb|left|312px|The first known to sing alone was a siren called Lorelei...]] |
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| − | |||
| − | As for hierarchy, they are often born in groups called "choirs", which stay together for their entire lifetime; the eldest sister often has the most enchanting voice, and as such, is the leader of the choir. If ever such an occasion arose, they would never allow another siren to join their choir, nor would they be expected to attempt joining another choir if, for some reason, their former one were to disband. |
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| − | |||
| − | If ever a siren must leave her sisters (such as the death of her choir, her own impending death, pregnancy, or banishment), she often elects to go off on her own island (or other secluded area) and conduct business as required. Otherwise, a siren is not expected by her sisters to ever leave the choir. |
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==Abilities== |
==Abilities== |
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| − | Aside from their incredibly long life span, they possess, from birth, an ageless beauty and witty charm that a mortal would describe as nothing less than hypnotic. They are naturally gifted with a knack for temptation and arousing desire. However, they are most famous for their "Siren's Song", a beguiling melody which they use to lure sailors to their deaths, on the rocks of the Sirens' home shores. The intriguing melody itself, combined with a Siren's all-too-tempting lyrics makes the song a ready snare, but for some reason or another, it works only on men (while women won't even hear it at all). With that song, some call out to their target's passing ship to entice them with promises of untold sexual ecstasy. Though, others claim with the tempting tune, that they could reveal the supernatural knowledge they'd gained from the divine; knowledge of the fate of the world, of business, of the sciences, of the future, of the past...if that sailor would only drop by and stay a while. |
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| − | [[File:Seiren song.PNG|thumb|left|312px|This siren teases men with promises of untold sexual pleasures...]] |
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| − | [[File:Siren on the waves.PNG|thumb|right|312px|THIS one has a different method..."Come to me, Periphon...Zeus has a word for you..."]] |
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[[Category:Mythical Being]] |
[[Category:Mythical Being]] |
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[[Category:Humanoid]] |
[[Category:Humanoid]] |
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Revision as of 21:13, 2 April 2013
| Siren | |
|---|---|
 The temptresses at work... | |
| Information | |
| Alternate Names/Spellings | Sirene, Seiren, Seirene |
| Origins | Greek Mythology |
| Alignment | Chaotic Evil, Chaotic Neutral, Neutral Evil |
| Element | Air/Wind/Sky, Mind/Spirit/Psychic, Sound, Water |
| Species | Nymphet |
| Appearance | Seductress (often bird-winged)... |
The Sirens' Song, naturally recorded by a woman...
Origins
Though numerous creatures exist with similar appearance, motive and ability, in mythical accounts worldwide, the Siren is a creature with origins in Greek mythology.
Most claim that the father of the original Sirens was the river-god Achelous, though others say their father was actually Phorcys (a sea deity who was also the father of the original Gorgons, and numerous other monsters).
Their mother is most commonly said to be one of the Muses (either Terpsichore or Melpomene), though others claim they were born of the nymph Sterope (one of the Pleiades) or even the Earth itself (Gaia).
In addition, some believe in the existence of only two original Sirens; others believed that there were three, while others thought that five existed. Though, most believe that there were as many as thirteen, and ascribe to them the names Thelxiepeia/Thelxiope, Thelxinoe, Molpe, Aglaope, Aglaophonos, Aglaopheme, Pisinoe/Peisinoë, Peisithoe, Parthenope, Ligeia, Leucosia, Raidne, and Teles.
Many attribute the difference of the original Sirens' names to the sounds of the winds and the waves making their names difficult to hear. And the discrepancy in the number of the original Sirens is often attributed to their simply being present or absent at different times (some might only see Peisinoe, Aglaope, and Thelxiepeia, while others only see Parthenope, Ligeia, and Leucosia, and others only Aglaopheme and Thelxiepeia, etc).
Furthermore, though most accepted accounts state they lived on the island of Anthemusa (Anthemoessa), which was given to them by Zeus, there are other accounts which claim they live on Cape Pelorum, on the Sirenusian Islands (Seirenoussai, Sirenussae) near Paestum, or in Capreae. Some claim that this difference is due simply to wrongful identification of islands by inexperienced sailors.
They don't make resisting easy...
At any rate, it is widely known that, before they went to live on their island home, the Sirens were friends and handmaidens of the goddess Demeter's daughter Persephone (Kore), in her younger days. Though, eventually, Persephone would be abducted by the god Hades to be goddess and queen of the Underworld.
The Sirens took flight to search all over for her, yet they would look to no avail. And since their search turned out to be in vain, and they had been left without a mistress to serve, they instead settled down on an island, to live out the rest of their lives.
Or so the tale goes, in some cases. Other accounts claim that Demeter stripped the Sirens of their wings in anger, upon hearing their failure to find her beloved daughter. As further punishment, they were said to have been banished, exiled to live the rest of their lives in seclusion.
Though, some claim that the Sirens lost their wings because of the goddess Hera. In these accounts, she persuaded them to challenge the Muses to a singing contest. The Muses won the contest handily, and to shame them for their loss, took their wings (or, more commonly, feathers from their wings, to make crowns).
There is even a myth for how the Sirens came to be winged in the first place. While many believe that they were born with wings, others claim that they gained wings at their own request (from Demeter to help search for her abducted daughter Persephone, or from Aphrodite to escape potential lovers and suitors, so that they could always be virgins).
Yet, some claim that the wings were punishment from Demeter, because the Sirens failed to help Demeter search for Persephone (which implies that they may have been useless to fly, and instead may have been a heavy burden to bear).