Difference between Mermaids and Sirens?
By rainbow
@rainbow (6761)
January 11, 2007 9:54am CST
We have been disagreeing about this all week. Mermaids rescue shipwrecked sailors and sit on rocks combing their hair and singing prettily. Sirens sing to lure ships onto the rocks, which is why sailors used to block their ears. Are they the same creature? I don't think they are my boyfriend cannot understand why sailors like Mermaids as they are evil sirens? Anny ideas on this?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
17 Jan 07
Sirens and Mermaids are not the same.
In Greek mythology, the Sirens are creatures with the head of a female and the body of a bird. They lived on an island (Sirenum scopuli; three small rocky islands) and with the irresistible charm of their song they lured mariners to their destruction on the rocks surrounding their island.
Mermaid is human with fish tail. Man version of mermaid is called merman.
In folklore, Sirens sometimes are portrayed as mermaids.
1 person likes this
@rainbow (6761)
•
17 Jan 07
Thank-you so much, I said sirens were bird-women but you know a lot more than I did. So we agree that sirens are a bit naughty, maybe that's where Shrek gets the idea that mermaids could be bad too?
Will have a trawl through the greek nyths and see if I can make moresense of it. Thanks again.
1 person likes this
@suedarr (2382)
• Canada
16 Jan 07
From my understanding of their lore, mermaids and sirens are different. Sirens are not half fish for instance. Interesting question, I wish I had some good resources for you. My friend did I write an article on mermaids in Canada, but does not include information on sirens. Cheers!
@rainbow (6761)
•
16 Jan 07
Hi-ya, I thought sirens were birds with a womans head who lured sailors onto the rocks by singing but that mermaids were nice. Thanks for your reply, would love to read the mermaid article!
i keep getting unable to post responce, if this comes twice I'm sorry.
1 person likes this
@Sheeniepie (873)
• Philippines
12 Jan 07
hi there....
well i would have to say that its the same ...well i think there's not much of a difference because they're still of the same creature isnt it.. although we havent seen anyone of them^_^
i couldnt debate much on this because i think its the same, it just differ on how we said it?..
thanks a bunch^_^
@rainbow (6761)
•
12 Jan 07
But a mermaid is half woman half fish and a siren is a big bird with a womans head for a start. It's not what they look like it's what they do.
If sailors are scared of them then why do they have them as figureheads on their ships?
Shrek thinks mermaids sink ships but I said that is usually sirens, I know it's really silly, just wanted to see who knows their mythologhy really, thay can both do the same thing, Jason and the Arganorts with the bees wax in their ears had the right idea, lol
