Mermaids: the magical song of the sea
"Mermaid" is a legendary name tied to a creature that still fascinates artists and the general public. Encased in a radiant form and gifted with a melodious voice, these are stunning beings who dwell in the depths of the oceans. In seaside towns, their tales have been told and are still shared today, perhaps because they are women, perhaps because they are beautiful. Sailors have never feared mermaids—nor have they ever pretended to! If they were afraid, why would they tattoo their images on their bodies?
The mermaid is an angel who liberates man from his worries and earthly thoughts. She is seen as a liberator, a woman who loves and abducts her man to transport him to the depths of the sea, where he finds happiness. She gives him the ability to breathe underwater, live in harmony with marine life and share the wealth hidden in the ocean's depths. This is how sailors imagine mermaids; they have always loved them and, at least once in their lives, have dreamt of being taken away by a woman who embodies the magical song of the sea.
Mythological Origins
In ancient Greece, the parentage of mermaids was attributed to the river god Achelous and the muse Calliope, although others believed they were the daughters of Phorcys and Ceto. Stories surrounding these mythical figures are numerous. To uncover the origins of these creatures, one must delve deep into the past.
The first time this name appeared, it referred to virginal maidens who refused to surrender their purity to the gods. As punishment, Aphrodite transformed them into women with the bodies of maidens but the legs and feathers of birds. Only in the 12th century did mermaids begin to be depicted in iconography with bodies that were half woman and half fish.
Literary and Artistic Depictions
The first documented literary representation dates back to the 6th century in the treatise De Monstris. The earliest medieval author to write about mermaids and their harmful song was Richard de Fournival in The Bestiary of Love (1250). This treatise described how these marine figures ensnared sailors with their songs, luring their ships onto the rocks where they wrecked them. Some sailors became love slaves, only to be killed when the mermaids tired of their presence. In 1614, the first love story between a man and a mermaid was described, but like many such tales, it ended tragically for the man, who was either killed by the mermaid or taken to underwater palaces where he was eternally bound by love to the fish-woman.
In paintings and literature, mermaids were often depicted or described holding a mirror, symbolizing duality and deceit, and a comb, symbolizing sexuality. Their long, wavy, golden hair—resembling the sea and sunshine—was another prominent feature.
The most famous mermaids were three: Parthenope, Leucosia, and Ligeia, all tied to cities in Italy.
Legends of Famous Mermaids
- Parthenope: Gave her name to Naples. She lived in the bay after falling in love with Hercules and ended her days there.
- Leucosia: Resided near Punta Licosa and lent her name to the area where she spent her final days.
- Ligeia: Her body was carried by the sea to the rocks of Punta Campanella in Naples, also known as Ligera in her honor.
The Symbolism of Mermaids
If men truly feared mermaids, they would not have described them as blonde. In stories and legends, blonde hair symbolizes purity—blonde like an angel or a benevolent fairy. Conversely, black hair was associated with demons and evil witches. This duality between danger and beauty continues to shape the mysterious allure of mermaids in art and culture.
From ancient times, the daughters of the sea appeared amidst the foam of the waves, in solitude or on smiling shores. With golden or emerald-green hair, shining eyes, white wings, and harmonious voices, they promised happiness to the sailors who fell under their spell. While beautiful maidens frolicked on land and nymphs played in the shade of forests, enchanting sirens reigned over the southern seas of Europe, and Mermaids—northern sirens of sorts—ruled under the melancholy skies of other regions, with flowing blonde hair and golden harps in hand.
These beings were not only adept at luring men to ruin in the depths of the sea near the mysterious Kraken, great serpents, and legions of shipwrecked souls or the damned, but they also danced at night on the waves of the Baltic and the North Sea. Their companions were the green men of the sea, who shared their passion for merry dances, much like the sprites and elves of the land.
Ancient Origins of the Sirens
To trace the origins of these beautiful yet treacherous sea women, as deceitful as the waves themselves, we must delve into ancient myths. Their figures merge with others in a blend of mythological imagery. They bear some resemblance to the Apsaras or swan maidens, whose origins remind us of luminous clouds. They are also wind spirits, with voices so irresistibly alluring they captivate hearts, aligning them with figures like Orpheus and Mercury in certain aspects.
In ancient times, they glided across the waves with golden wings, displaying deceptive virgin-like faces or soaring with white wings like hawks, spying on ships and deceiving sailors. Despite their appearance as beautiful maidens, some traits linked them to Harpies or other storm birds from various mythologies. However, sirens also took the form of maidens with fish tails, connecting them to lunar myths. Classical antiquity immortalized sirens in verse, and their existence was deeply ingrained in the peoples of Greece and Italy.
Thus, legends about them multiplied, and their memory thrived in medieval poetry.
Famous Medieval Sirens
Some renowned warriors even claimed descent from these divine water maidens. The Counts of Lusignan, Kings of Cyprus and Jerusalem, boasted that one of their ancestors, Raymond of Toulouse, married a nymph or siren named Melusine. This famous medieval siren, as beautiful as Partenope (revered on the shores of Naples), differs from the golden-winged sirens of Ovid or the white-winged ones of Apollonius. Melusine recalls both the classical sirens and the Babylonian goddess Mylitta, a lunar deity, and other lunar myths.
Sirens in Southern Italy
While many lesser sea deities created by the imaginations of ancient forebears have faded from memory, the sirens remain unforgettable among the southern coastal populations of Italy. Their stories, such as those of the formidable swimmer Niccolò Pesce and his encounters with sirens, are among the most popular maritime legends. Perhaps, when the fishermen of Naples, Calabria, and Sicily head out to sea at night in their small dark boats, singing songs of love or sorrow, the sound of golden harps mingles with the murmur of the waves. Radiant white figures appear on the shimmering waters, and, like their ancient ancestors, these fishermen hear harmonious songs promising love and happiness.
Sirens did not limit themselves to luring sailors to ruin with deceitful promises and divine harmonies. They often played roles in various legends and popular tales.
Legends of Sirens and Fairy-Tale Variants
The Prince Predestined or The Prince Born and Unseen
In one of the world’s oldest stories, which may have entertained many Egyptian pharaohs, the "Prince Predestined" faces strange adventures. On the Ionian shores of Calabria, a maritime legend tells of the "Prince Born and Unseen," a victim of the sirens. Unlike the Egyptian prince who triumphs over fate, destined to die by a serpent, crocodile, or dog, this Calabrian legend portrays sirens entwined with fairies and witches who, in popular beliefs, can transform into cats.
The Daughter of Biancofiore or The Maiden of Otranto
The legend of Biancofiore, popular on Calabrian shores, has even more ancient roots and broad diffusion. A Sicilian variant, The Daughter of Biancuciuri, links to the medieval romance of Florio and Biancofiore, which partly inspired Boccaccio’s writings. In this tale and its Otranto variants, the sirens play significant roles, blending with elements from other European legends.
The Sirens in Lappish Tales
Legends of sirens extend far beyond Italy. Among the Laplanders, under their frosty skies, a tale emerges with parallels to the Calabrian story of Biancofiore. Here, the malevolent sea-woman Attjis-ene takes the place of the sirens, and transformations, such as maidens becoming ducks, mirror the themes in Calabrian folklore.
Across Europe, countless variations of these myths reveal the intricate web of storytelling shared among cultures. They stand as extraordinary evidence of how ancient myths and legends endured the centuries, preserved and reshaped by the turbulence of history and the enduring imagination of the human spirit.
Solabella
According to certain Sicilian traditions from the county of Modica, the siren does not embody the usual treachery. She resembles northern figures of sirens who warn sailors of impending dangers. This Sicilian siren lives in the depths of the sea in a grotto adorned with jewels, pearls, and magnets. Once a year, during the feast of Saint Paul from January 24th to 25th, she leaves her splendid abode, approaches the shore, and sings throughout the night. Her song foretells events for the coming year and predicts the future for those who listen.
Skuld, Urðr, and Verðandi
There appears to be a similarity between the Sicilian siren and a nymph or siren from the Edda of Scandinavian mythology, known to the Normans. Called Skuld, she foretells the future, while her companions, Urðr and Verðandi, represent the past and the present, respectively. Similarly, in Greek belief, Glaucus, after eating the herb that granted him companionship with the gods of the sea, would appear once a year on the shores to prophesy.
The Treacherous Siren of Modica, Scylla, Charybdis, and Amalfi
The siren of Modica also sings upon the birth of an ill-fated child or, as some songs suggest, reveals her cruelty by laughing as she kills. Battling her requires immense strength and courage. Certain Sicilian legends claim she resides at the Strait of Messina. Others recount two treacherous and beautiful sirens, Scylla and Charybdis, who dwelled in the Strait and lured ships to their doom. A giant once vowed to capture them. He had himself tied to a rope, dove into the sea, reached the depths, and seized the malicious sirens, bringing them ashore to deliver them to the people. It is unclear whether these sirens, transformations of monstrous beings that terrified ancient Mediterranean sailors, were slain or merely turned into rocks. However, it is certain that sirens could die, as Partenope perished and was buried, as was Amalfi, the beautiful nymph or siren, whose resting place gave its name to the town.
Prophetic Sirens
Water deities, as depicted in pagan myths and many folk legends, often possessed the ability to foretell the future. Luís de Camões, the great poet, incorporated this trait in The Lusiads, where a siren sings sweetly at the banquet table of Thetis, predicting the glory of other Portuguese navigators. Her role in the poem is comparable to Anchises in The Aeneid or Merlin in Orlando Furioso:
"While she sings, the doe halts mid-step, the bird stops on its branch,
The winds cease their whispers, and even the waves surrender,
Leaving only a soft murmur upon the shore."
Some traditions say these sirens bore pearl-adorned heels, akin to the beautiful Leucothea, who gave Odysseus her immortal veil. In Andalusian songs, they are described as:
"The little siren of the sea sings so beautifully;
Whoever hears her song will soon find death nearby."
The Many Names and Tales of Sirens
Mermaids have diverse names and legends across cultures. The Germans call them Nixen or Meerfrau, the Danes Moremund, Icelanders Margyr, Bretons Marie Morgan, Dutch Zee-wijf, Swedes Sjötzold, Anglo-Saxons Merewif, Irish Merrow, and Icelanders also Haff-fru. In Asturias, they are Xanas, and in the Netherlands, Merminners.
In Sweden, sirens sit on rocks combing their hair, holding mirrors, or, like certain elfin figures, laying out linens to dry under the sun. They deceive sailors, and their appearance often foreshadows storms. Their homes lie beneath the sea, featuring palaces, castles, and herds.
Some legends are not without tragedy. A Swedish tale recounts Gunnar, a knight who was saved from drowning by a siren. Though he visited her weekly to express gratitude, he once neglected his visit. Enraged, the siren caused the lake’s waters to rise, destroying his castle. While fleeing in a boat, he fell into her realm and drowned.
Mermaids in Russian and Icelandic Lore
In Russia, Rusalke of the sea are thought to cause violent storms and shipwrecks. These beautiful beings, with delicate forms and glowing eyes, have hair as green as sea grass. They wear green leaves or flowing white garments. Unlike mortal women, their hair must stay wet, as drying would lead to death.
In Iceland, Haff-fru are described with golden hair and are sometimes seen sleeping in boats. Their malevolent power can only be countered by reciting sacred hymns.
Mermaids in Folklore and Andersen’s Tales
Hans Christian Andersen’s tale of six mermaids grants them permission to surface upon turning sixteen. The youngest, falling in love with a prince aboard a ship, trades her fins for legs, only to be betrayed by him. Her sisters offer her a knife to kill the prince, but she refuses and tragically drowns.
In other regions, like Noirmoutier, legends tell of mermaids offering gold to those who hear their songs. These mythical creatures continue to captivate across cultures, blending themes of beauty, danger, and the allure of the unknown.
The Mermen, Husbands of Mermaids
In folklore, alongside Mermaids, Mary Morgan, and Rusalke, countless sea men, akin to Tritons, are said to dwell in the ocean depths. These "Mermen," particularly prominent in Northern legends, often bear human features and are described as husbands to Mermaids. They dance on the waves, sing melodiously, and sometimes drag ships into the depths. Mermen also abduct beautiful daughters from the land, bringing them to undersea palaces where they marry and jealously guard them, much like other sea spirits.
Mermen are depicted as strong, courageous sailors who can propel a boat nine miles an hour with sheer strength. In one tale, a Merman pierces a ship carrying a beautiful maiden, transforming her first into a snake and then into a Mermaid before taking her to his palace to marry her. Despite their jealousy, Mermen are deeply attached to the women they abduct or wed. Alfred Lord Tennyson once mused about being a Merman in his poetry, envisioning a life spent singing during the day, adorning Mermaids’ hair with sea flowers, and frolicking joyously among the waves during stormy nights.
The Giant Ægir and Ran the "Thief"
In ancient maritime lore, even the boldest sailors respected the power of the sea and paid tribute to its spirits. Ægir, whose name means "sea," was the Norse god ruling the vast and untamed ocean depths. He was a benevolent deity of calm seas, though his companion Ran, a merciless goddess, wielded a deadly net to capture ships and sailors. Ran's nine daughters, with flowing blonde hair, transformed into murderous waves, swallowing vessels whole. Those ensnared by Ran lived as spectral beings in her golden undersea domain, far from sunlight and human warmth. To appease Ran and secure safe passage, Norse sailors offered tributes of gold, referred to as "the flame of the sea," knowing it could bring solace to their trapped spirits in the afterlife.
The Hydra of Lerna
Not all water spirits took human form. Near Lerna in eastern Greece, the multi-headed Hydra, a venomous serpent with one immortal head, terrorized the region. Hercules, aided by his charioteer, battled this beast. Using flaming arrows, Hercules forced the Hydra from its lair, crushed its heads, and seared the stumps with fire to prevent regrowth. The Hydra's blood, imbued with lethal poison, was later used to deadly effect on Hercules' arrows.
The Mirrored World Beneath the Sea
Some sagas claim that the world's creation was perfectly symmetrical, with every terrestrial creature having a counterpart in the ocean. Thus, Tritons and Mermaids mirrored men and women, ruling vast underwater kingdoms. These realms boasted diverse marine life, including fish-tailed horses and aquatic lions described by naturalists like Olaus Magnus. Roman historian Aelian also recorded mythical aquatic animals like sea rams and scaled elephants inhabiting exotic marine landscapes.
St. Elmo's Fire: An Omen of the Sea
Mariners often reported strange glowing lights during stormy weather. Known as St. Elmo's Fire, these fiery spirits danced along the masts and rigging of ships. Sailors interpreted the phenomenon as an omen: a single light foretold doom, while two lights promised calm seas. The Greeks called them "Dioscuri," after Castor and Pollux, protectors of sailors, while Portuguese sailors referred to them as "Corpos Santos" or "Holy Bodies."
The Devil Fish
Another sinister sea creature was the "Devil Fish," a nearly silent predator with viscous tentacles that crept aboard ships, seeking flesh. Its victims were crushed in its deadly embrace and dragged into the ocean depths, leaving sailors helpless against its stealthy attacks.
Leviathan and the Vortices of Despair
Among the most fearsome sea monsters was Leviathan, a creature so vast that it dwarfed even the largest whales. It resided in deep-sea valleys, and its emergence was a harbinger of doom. Leviathan's thrashing fins created whirlpools, pulling entire ships into its dark domain, ensuring no escape for those who encountered it.
