In Greek mythology the Sirens or Seirenes (Greek Σειρῆνας) were Naiads (sea nymphs) who lived on an island called Sirenum scopuli which was surrounded by cliffs and rocks. Approaching sailors were drawn to them by their enchanting singing, causing them to sail on the cliffs and drown. They were considered the daughters of Achelous (by Terpsichore, Melpomene or Sterope) or Phorcys (Virgil. V. 846; Ovid XIV, 88). Their number is variously reported as between two and five, and their individual names as Thelxiepia/Thelxiope/Thelxinoe, Molpe, Aglaophonos/Aglaope, Pisinoe/Peisinoë, Parthenope, Ligeia, Leucosia, Raidne, and Teles. According to some versions, they were playmates of young Persephone and were changed into the monsters of lore by Demeter for failing to intervene when Persephone was abducted (Ovid V, 551). The term "siren song" refers to an appeal that is hard to resist but that, if heeded, will lead to a bad result.

Appearance

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In early art, the Sirens were represented as birds with the heads, and sometimes the chests, of women. Later, they were represented as female figures with the legs of birds, with or without wings. The 10th century encyclopedia Suda ^* says that from their chests up Sirens had the form of sparrows, below they were women, or, alternatively, that they were little birds with women's faces. Birds were chosen because of their characteristic beautiful voice. However, later in history Sirens were sometimes also depicted as beautiful women (whose bodies, not only their voices, are seductive), or even as mermaids (half woman, half fish). The fact that in some languages (such as Spanish, French, Italian, Polish or Portuguese) the word for mermaid is Siren, Sirena, Syrena or Sereia adds to this confusion.

Encounters with the Sirens

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@jokoanwar twah!temper trap emang gokil om!apa lg lagu "sirens"!
raincitykid (Hendrick Setyoadityo) Fri, 11 Dec 2009 12:58:58 -0000
@jokoanwar twah!temper trap emang gokil om!apa lg lagu "sirens"!
6hours worth of arena matches for Borderlands DLC, and ODST Endure was dull enough. Warning sirens going off http://bit.ly/4nDLKh
Felix_of_Mars (Stuart Fraser) Fri, 11 Dec 2009 12:34:29 -0000
6hours worth of arena matches for Borderlands DLC, and ODST Endure was dull enough. Warning sirens going off http://bit.ly/4nDLKh
RT @catsncriminals: @ParanoidPotter RT Download new track; Sirens, from @catsncriminals for 1 retweet http://trkurl.com/s7Plty #TFAT
ParanoidPotter (Pro) Fri, 11 Dec 2009 12:13:21 -0000
RT @catsncriminals: @ParanoidPotter RT Download new track; Sirens, from @catsncriminals for 1 retweet http://trkurl.com/s7Plty #TFAT
I'm laying bed awake looking at aps. I just bought one that plays "air raid sirens" on whose ever phone I call. I'm calling my brother now.
AshleyInLA (Ashley Kirschner) Fri, 11 Dec 2009 12:07:58 -0000
I'm laying bed awake looking at aps. I just bought one that plays "air raid sirens" on whose ever phone I call. I'm calling my brother now.
RT @catsncriminals RT Download new track; Sirens, from @catsncriminals for 1 retweet http://trkurl.com/s7Plty #TFAT
Turing100in2012 (Turing100in2012) Fri, 11 Dec 2009 12:07:22 -0000
RT @catsncriminals RT Download new track; Sirens, from @catsncriminals for 1 retweet http://trkurl.com/s7Plty #TFAT
RT Download new track; Sirens, from @catsncriminals for 1 retweet http://trkurl.com/s7Plty #TFAT Follow Friday @catsncriminals
catsncriminals (Cats and Criminals) Fri, 11 Dec 2009 12:05:20 -0000
RT Download new track; Sirens, from @catsncriminals for 1 retweet http://trkurl.com/s7Plty #TFAT Follow Friday @catsncriminals

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