the Sirens

E24661

The Sirens are mythical creatures from Greek mythology whose irresistibly beautiful song lures sailors to their doom.

Aliases (2)

Statements (46)
Predicate Object
instanceOf figure in Greek mythology
mythological creature
appearsIn Odyssey, Book 12
associatedLocation island near Scylla and Charybdis in the Odyssey
associatedWith dangerous navigation
death
sea
temptation
bodyForm part woman, part bird in early Greek art
category female monsters in Greek mythology
sea monsters
culture Ancient Greek mythology
defeatedBy Odysseus' stratagem of wax in sailors' ears
Orpheus' superior music
describedIn Homer's Odyssey
effectOfSong causing shipwrecks
luring sailors to their doom
etymology name possibly derived from Greek seirá (rope, cord) suggesting binding or entangling
fateInSomeMyths destroy themselves if a sailor hears their song and escapes
gender female
habitat rocky islands
sea coasts
influenceOnLanguage term "siren song" meaning a deceptive, alluring appeal
term "siren" for warning device by analogy with powerful sound
languageOfMyths Ancient Greek
laterBodyForm part woman, part fish in later Western tradition
laterTraditionNumber often three
methodOfKilling causing ships to crash on rocks
methodOfLuring promising knowledge
promising pleasure
mythology Greek mythology
notableAbility irresistibly beautiful singing
luring sailors
numberInOdyssey two or more
opposedBy Jason
Odysseus
the Argonauts
parentage a Muse
river god Achelous
primaryActivity singing to passing sailors
relatedConcept harpies
mermaids
nymphs
symbolism fatal temptation
loss of self-control
seductive danger

Referenced by (3)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
Odysseus ("Sirens")
encounters
Homer's Odyssey
featuresCharacter
John William Waterhouse ("The Siren")
notableWork

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