The mythical creatures of the forerunners of rock. Sea sirens in mythology - who are these terrible creatures and what is their role. Pedigree singing beings

By the number of "water women" in the first place you can safely put Ancient Greece. Plato once joked that the Greeks are very similar to frogs sitting around the pond, as the overwhelming majority of their cities are located on the Mediterranean coast. It is not surprising that the mythology of this people is closely related to water.

Sirens were considered the most malicious and unusual from the "Water Virgo". Sirens - the mythical creatures of female, female birds or mermaids that their singing and charming music Love sailors and rub them. Live sirens on one of the uncomfortable lifeless islets by anfhemese near Sicily. They were the source of one of the sea gods - whether Forkis, or Aheeloy (which is more likely) - and one of the music, which probably hid his motherhood due to the nature of the daughters.

Initially, they were all beautiful women. According to one of the legends, the sirens were turned into birds of Aphrodite, angry with their pride and arrogance. According to another myth, the bird torso was awarded to the music for the fact that the muses of muses on the competition in singing were convicted of their beautiful voices. According to another version, the sirens were originally nimphs surrounded by the young goddess Persephone. When Mrs. asked them to his wife of the Lord of the Morobic world of Aid, her angry mother, the goddess of the fertility of Demeter, gave to beautiful devies a bird view. Finally, in one option, they themselves wanted to turn into birds to find Persephone, and when people did not help them, they moved to despair on desert Island And they began to take revenge on the whole genus of human. Sweet sirens set sailors on coastal rocks and they killed them on the shore. Their voice was so beautiful that no man could resist; All the rocks of the islands were covered with the bones of their victims.

In the deep antiquity of the sirens were perceived just like the music of a different world. They were often carved on stone tombstones in the form of angels of death, singing funeral songs under the sounds of the lira. In the Middle Ages, the sirens were very popular as symbols, they were widespread in the coat of arms of noble childbirth. They were depicted not only with bird features, but also with a fish tail and even with the body of a four-way animal.

Sirens came to us from ancient greek mythologyMainly from the legends of Casal and Odyssey (Ulyvse, in Latin). Jason and Argonauts in the "Argonautics" written by Apollonia Rhodes (III century BC), meet Sirena, daughters of the Aqueloi River and the Muse of Terraticor, by the appearance of half birds, half of the mermaids. Their singing attracted Argonauts, and they would have died if Orpheus himself did not enter the Sirena with his game on Lira. Homerovsky Odysseus tied his companions to the mast and shut down their ears so that they could not hear singing sirens. Homer does not attribute to them any superhuman properties; Judging by his poem, there were two sirens.

Although Apollonium was created later by Homer, the myth of Casalon an ancient history of Odyssey. Sires traditionally depict more often as birds with female heads than women sorcerer, as they tried to do some authors, referring to Homer, who lowered their description in Odyssey. Classic writers concerned to this topic have always portrayed a siren in the form of birds.

In the "library" of Apollodore (I - II century n. E.) The sirens are presented in the form of birds from the belt and below, their names are Pisinoe, Aglaop and Tellufia, they are the daughter of Aqueloy and Music Melpomen, one plays on the harp, the other - on the flute Third sings.

English Historian James George Fraser (1854-1941) summarized the mention of sirens in the works of classical writers. According to him, bird-like sirens are found at Eliana ("De Natura Animalium"), Ovid ("Metamorphosis"), Higinus ("Fabuli"), Eustafia ("Regarding" Odyssey "Homer") and PAsania ("Eldla description") . In various versions of Siren or two or three or four. Their Father Aquoy or Forschez, the God of the Sea, Mother - Melpomen, Terraticor or Sterlop. Names Siren: Teles, Rajna, Mollet and TelxiPoe, Levkosia and Lyagia or Texia, Mollet and Aglaofonus or Aglaofem and Telvoshapia. Apollodor and Higinus. They believe that the sirens died after a meeting with the Odyssem, and thus, the ancient prediction of the oracle was fulfilled, which they would die when the vessel passes by them unshamed. Other authors argue that they drowned themselves from annoyance.

Another version of the myth is known from the short mention of the sirens in the "Description of Eldlas" of Pavania (II century. Er): In the crowns there was a statue of hera with sirens in her hand, "since the story says that Gera convinced the aquel's daughters to compete with muses in singing. Muse won, pulled the feathers from Siren ... and made themselves the crowns of them. " The English poet of the XVI century E. Spencer interpreted the meaning of this myth in the way that the mermaids symbolize the temptation: "Girls-sorcerer" in the punishment for their "arrogance" in a match with muses was given fish tails.

Pictures and sculptures of the report and classical era also depict a siren with birds of birds, and they are pretty difficult to distinguish from Garpius. The sirens were often depicted on ancient classic tombstones and could symbolize the souls of dead or spirits, which accompany the soul to the God of the underground kingdom of Gades (Aida). Dennis Page in the book "Tradition about the Homerovskoy" Odyssey "expresses the assumption that Homer could come up with a description of his human-like Siren, summarizing the legends about the accompaniment of the souls in possession of Aida with the legends on the demonic creatures of the female, which, using its beauty, are seduced, and then kill Men.

The American researcher John Pollard points out that the works of art that came to us testify that a number of associations and symbols were associated with sirens, not counting the images of Sirena on the tombstones and those who met Odyssey and its satellites. Sirens are depicted next to the Teshem, Artemius, Hero, Athena, Dionysis; Although most female sirens, some, especially early epochs, have beards. They not only foreshadow death or lead to death, but also deliver an unearthly pleasure with their singing and symbolize animal strength.

It is not known exactly when and in connection with which the sirens began to be associated with mermaids, losing their wings and leaving nests on the rocky islands to plunge into sea waves. Perhaps this happened in the Middle Ages due to the spread of Bestiaries. In the romance and some other languages, the word "siren" and his relative forms began to be called mermaids, although the use of this word testifies to the influence of the classical siren image.

In the Italian legend "Wife of Sirens" Sirens, who save a thin wife and care about it, love to sing by sailors (this feature is inherent in and some mermaids, and not just classic sirens); Modern Italian writer Italo Calvino, retelling this story, strengthened the effect, writing the words of their songs, which as if calling sailors jump overboard in the sea; Siren with a fish tail in "Ligae" Giuseppe Tomazi di Lampedusa (in english translation "Professor and Mermaid") has a classic name; With the "Little Siren" Eleanora from Jean de Brunhoff "Vacation of Marshmallow" also a fishtail, she is good-natured and not a seductive and does not have a tendency to mizicating.

In the sixth century in Northern Wales caught Sirena and dubbed it, and in some old calendars it is as holy under the name of Murden. Another siren ranked in the dam in the dam in 1403 and lived in Harlem until his death. Her speeches could not understand, but she learned to weave and, as if instinctively worshiped the cross. Some chronist of the sixteenth century claims that she was not fish, because he knew how to weave, and was not a woman, for it could live in the water.

In English, classical siren differs and mermaid with a fish tail. The creation of the image of the mermaid may have influenced Tritons, the younger deities in Poseidon's retail.

In the tenth Book of the Republic of Plato, eight Sirens manage the movement of eight concentric celestial areas.

Are there sirens actually? It is unlikely that someone can give an exhaustive answer to this question. In the myths of the peoples of the world of sirens have a different appearance. Sometimes Sirena was called "Snake Soft Water", the Fae Melusina or Lake Siren.

Siren in the Renaissance era was called coquetty niadas - nymphs of rivers, streams and lakes. The image of these sirens began to meet in ballet performances, and the artists preferred to "undress."

Apparently, they really were beautiful. Or maybe there is?

Tanananova Ekaterina

Sirena

Summary of myth

Figure of siren. Bronze. 8.1 cm. Etruscan, V c. BC.

Sirens are the mythical female creatures, female birds or mermaids. They were the source of one of the marine gods - whether Forkis, or Aheeloy, and one of the music, most likely, Terraticra. Sirens lived on one of the lifeless islets by anfhemese near Sicily.

According to legend, the sirens were originally nymphs surrounded by the young goddess Persephone. One day, when Persephone was walked in the meadow near Anna at Lake Perg, the God of the Underground Kingdom, Aid, kidnap her to make his wife. Poor nymphs could not forgive themselves that they did not rule out their beautiful goddess. No one could tell them where the percepton disappeared, so they decided to independently go on her searches. Having found a young goddess on land, they went for help to mother Persephone, Demeter. Desperate mother turned the nymph in halftitis and semi-puzzled so that they could seek Persefon in the air and water kingdom. But it did not help. When the sirens appealed for help to ordinary people, mortals refused to help them. Sirens in despair moved to a deserted island and began to take revenge on the human genus: the maid-fish singing the sailors in the bunch of sea. The winged maids suck the blood of those who stopped listening to them.

The sirens were predicted that they would perish when any of the travelers would pass by their island, without leaving temptation. When Odyssey sailed on his ship by the island of anfhemese on his ship, he listened to the Circus warning and ordered everyone on the ship to flick her ears with wax, and he himself tied to the mast. Only thanks to this trick, the Odyssey ship remained intake, and the sirens rushed to the sea and turned to the cliffs.

Images and symbols of myth

Waterhouse John William
Siren, 1900.

The image of the sirens in ancient Greek mythology is a dull, but destructive beauty. Siren accompanies the numerous symbolism, which makes the image complete. I would like to highlight the main characters in the myth of sirens.

Bird and fish bodies symbolize that part of the siren nature, which is animal and embittered.

Beauty Siren shows us how deceptive appearance. Often, bad thoughts and intentions are hidden behind a beautiful pleasant face.

Odyssey and sirens. Drawing with an antique vase

Singing Siren attracts men and makes them go to the right death. Singing Siren symbolizes danger and threat. Not in vain B. modern world Sirena is called a signal used to warn something.

Almost always sirens are found in the sea. Perhaps this is due to the fact that in water spaces travelers become defenseless and easier to charm sirens.

Communicative means of creating images and symbols

Herbert Draper. Odyssey and sirens. 1909.

The first preserved references on sirens are available in Homer Odysse. According to him, they live between the earth of the Tsires and the Szillo on the rocks of the island, destroyed bones and dried skin of their victims. They destroyed many people whose bones whiten in the meadow. Sirens by charming songs lure floating past travelers, who, forgetting about everything in the world, swim to magic island And die along with ships.

In the deep antiquity of the sirens were perceived just like the music of a different world. They were often carved on stone tombstones in the form of angels of death, singing funeral songs under the sounds of the lira.

Sculpture of sirens
Gold. 3x4 cm
End of the IV century BC

In the Middle Ages, Sirens also enjoyed great popularity as symbols, they were widespread in the coat of arms of noble childbirth. They were depicted not only with bird features and with a fish tail, but even with the body of the four-way animal.

Fountain "Siren" F. F. Shchedrin
1805 year. Petrodvorets

Pictures and sculptures of the report and classical era also depict a siren with birds of birds, and they are pretty difficult to distinguish from Garpius. The sirens were often depicted on ancient classic tombstones and could symbolize the souls of dead or spirits, which accompany the soul to the God of the underground kingdom of Gades (Aida).

The American researcher John Pollard points out that the work of art that came to us testify to the connection of Sirena with a number of associations and symbols, preserved in the literature, not counting the images of Siren on the tombstones and those who met Odyssey and its satellites. Sirens are depicted next to the Teshem, Artemius, Hero, Athena, Dionysis; Although most female sirens, some, especially early epochs, have beards. They not only foreshadow death or lead to death, but also deliver an unearthly pleasure with their singing and symbolize animal strength.

Social meaning of myth

Edward Butibonne. Sirens. 1883.

In Greek mythology, sirens - demons in women's appearance. Sirens personify a deceptive, but charming sea surface, under which sharp cliffs or melels are hidden. Siren is a symbol of cunning, indispensable, the disastrous temptation of the material world, tempting the spirit on his way to the goal.

Frederick Leighton
Fisherman and Sirena
1858

In general, the image of Siren actualizes the motive of the disastrous female beauty, peculiar to Greek culture at a certain stage (when moving from the matriarchate to Patriarchate). Sirens are associated with destruction and death.

Also, remembering the sirens, the ancient Greeks often talked about their borders and saw in this much danger, because you never know how they will behave: as a beautiful girl or as an animal.

However, not only negative associations are associated with sirens. The image of Sires can endure positive connotations (in the context of interpretation of music and singing as the symbols of myrososios). At Plato, for example, sirens are located on the eight spheres of space springs of the goddess aancu, creating the harmony of the world with their sweet squeezing.

Sirena is called a bird with a female head. In myths, she is known as the seductive seafarers. Attributes of Siren are the lyrics and flutes - musical instruments, personifying sensual temptation.

Siren symbolizes temptation, seducing a woman, deception, deviation of a man from his genuine purpose; Element with the attractiveness of the transient leading to spiritual death; Soul caught by sensual temptations. It is also a symbol of funeral.

In Egypt, the siren birds were considered souls separated from tel. In Greek mythology, these are evil souls, thirsting blood.

Sirens are considered much more dangerous to their mythological twins-mermaids: they tempt people with excellent singing to destroy them.

In Slavic mythology, the analogue of Siren, but much more positive, are the prophetic birds - Sirins (Sirin, Alkonost, Hamaun), who know how to predict the future and cause rain.

The sirens (σειρήνες), in Greek myth-making demonic creatures, marine muses, personified a deceptive, but charming sea surface, under which sharp rocks or melons are hidden. The sirens were born by the River God Ageloy and Musey: Terraticoroi, Calliopa (Apollonia Rhodes, IV 892-898), Mellenooma or daughter Sterolop (Apollodore, I 3, 4; I 7, 10).

Father Sires also considered the sea god of Forkis, and Mother Gay. By Homer, there were two sirens; Later they called three sirens, the names of which were Pancy, Aglaoof and Telxiepey or Parfenopa, Ligaya and Levkosia. In the Greek tradition it is believed that the demons of Siren turned a demeter for the fact that they did not come to the aid of Persephone when Aid abducted her. Some Greek authors argue that it made Aphrodite for the fact that they neglected love. Once sirens were summoned to the competition in the singing of the music. The victory of the muses looked down with their feathers and wore them as a decoration, so the sirens could not fly. They lived on the island, destroyed bones and dried skin of victims of their sweet singing.

The first references to sirens are available in the Homerovskoye Odyssey. They lived in the West, on the island between the land of the circcers and Szillla, and here, sitting on a blooming coastal meadow, the charming songs lured floating past travelers, who, forgetting everything in the world, walked to the magic island and died with ships. Only due to the Circulation warning, Odyssey avoids insidious sirens. He ordered himself to tie himself to the mast of the ship and commanded the ears of his comrades (Homer, Odyssey, XII, 39; XII 166-200).

In the post-site legends (for example, in "Argonavy" Apollonia, Rhodes, IV, 893), sirens were depicted by the virgin beauty, with a charming voice; They were sleeping by the sounds of their songs, and then weighed them into pieces and devoured. When the argonauts sailed past the island of Siren, Orpheus was drowned by their voice with their singing and play on Lira; One of the Argonauts Booth rushed to their call in the sea, but was saved by Aphrodite who settled him in Lilibee (Apollonium Rhodes, IV 900-919). In the staffing myths, the sirens were presented in the image of winged maids, or women with a fish tail, or virgin devices and chicken legs. This last attribute they received at their own request, so that they were easier to search for the seas and the islands of their missing girlfriend Persephone, after it was in vain sought on Earth.

The sirens were predicted that they would perish when any of the travelers would pass by their island, without yielding to temptation; Therefore, when the ship Odyssey sailed past them, they rushed into the sea and turned into the rocks. Late antique authors determined the location of the island of Sires near Sicily and called as such or Sicilian Cape Pelor, or cape, or the Siren Islands, or anflex Island. Siren brought closer with the guards and cerses; They were perceived even as the music of a different world, they were portrayed on the tombstone monuments. In classical antiquity, wild chtonic sirens turned into sweet wise sirens, each of which was located on one of the eight celestial spheres of world spindlers goddess Anan., Creating their singing the magnificent harmony of space (Plato, Time, X 617). In the Ancient Little City of Surrente there was a temple of Siren; Near Naples showed the tomb of Siren Parfenopa.

Sirens are one of the most famous monsters from Greek mythology. Siren in the modern world also knows thanks to numerous films, books, comics, games contacting ancient Greek history in the mythological key. Let's look at them through a magnifying glass.

In the article:

Sirens - Origin and Characteristics

These creatures personify the beautiful, volatile and insidious surface of the sea - the navigators often encountered the fact that the depth was reliable, at first glance, the depth turned out to be melted or, worse, taled in himself sharp cliffs. Sirens include K. mixantropic Beings - their bodies are half female, half a bird. In some legends, they have fish tails than remind.

In "Odyssey" Homer wrote that Siren was two, but he did not call them name. Later they became three, as well as. The older was the name of Persian, the middle - Agliaof, and the younger - Telskipia. The first perfectly owned the game on kifare, the other possessed a beautiful voice, and the third fascinated with the play on the flute. In addition, they possessed a fascinating look. According to other myths, Siren was called Parthenop, Laiei and Levkosia.

Who gave rise to the creation of charming singing, it is unknown - it could be Forte, or chonic goddess keto, or deity Aheheo. Sometimes their mother's legends call one of the music - Meldom, Terraticoror Calliopu. In addition, myths indicate that the mother of Sires could be Sterlop, as well as Gay.

Another possible father, Ahel, was the powerful deity of rivers, the descendant of the theth and ocean, or the son of the ocean and gay, or gay and helios. From the Union of Aheloy with Mellenoi or Terratichery appeared sirens. In his wanders, Hercules fought with Aheley. God accepted the appearance of a bull to fight the hero, but Hercules broke him one of the horns and saved Tsarevna to act from an unwanted Uhager.

Frame from the film "Pirates of the Caribbean"

Different appearance took and forctive - thus, the possible fathers of sweet creatures were twisted, hence the duality in the description of their animal parts. Filometer legends on sirens describe them as maids with wings of birds, or women, similar to mermaids, or maids with human heads, but bird bodies and legs. From the Father, they inherited a fierce, spontaneous, unbridled temper, and Musa's Music presented his charming voice.

In some legends it is indicated that the sirens found a semi-free appearance as a result of curses. If you believe the legends, they constituted Persephone Sweets, and after her abduction, Aid was aimlessly walked over the ground. In the end, they joined Apollon. The angry loss of the daughter of Demeter cursed Siren, why did they have rose bird wings.

There is a different version of this legend - the gods turned the sirens in birds for the desperate search for the missing goddess, because Zeus himself allowed his brother to kidnap her. Or cursed focused, as they rejected marriage. According to the third version, the new appearance was the desire of the Siren themselves, which was fulfilled by the gods.

Sirens in legends

"Orphea and Siren", Herbert Draper, 1909

One of the legends describes the competition Siren and Muses in the art of singing in the city of Apter. Gera advised the sea virgin to call Muses to fight - the purpose of her is unknown, but perhaps someone from Siren liked Zeus, and the goddess of marriage accepted. One way or another, the victory remained for muses. They threw out rivals by making victory wreaths from feathers. The humiliated Siren Zeus presented an anfhemessu island.

Filometer legends described them as owner of incredibly beautiful voices. They were singing the sailors, and when their ship crashed about sharp coastal rocks, they were looking for people thrown ashore to break into pieces and eat. Argonauts managed to escape - along with them the Orpheus sailed, capable of drowning the Siren song with her music. All the time, while the ship sailed past the disastrous island, Orpheus played on the forming (Lira) and sang. One of the crew members, but still happened to hear Siren's voices - he rushed from the ship to the sea waves, seeking to swim to the island, but he saved Aphrodite. The rest of his days Boot spent in Lilibee.

The most ancient source with mentions about these creatures is Homerovskaya "Odyssey". Homer described the location of the island of Siren - it was between the possessions of the circces and the inhabitation of the Szill. The island is littered with withered skin and the whims of the victims of the victims. The team of Odyssey managed to escape thanks to the warning of the circces and tricks - they got ears with bees wax, therefore they did not hear songs. Odyssey himself, wanting to understand the destructive secret of magical songs, ordered him to tie him to the mast. No matter how taking it, wanting to go to the source of sound, the sailors did not untie him, and the ship was safely passed by the deadly island.

Long before these events, sirens were predicted that death would come to them with the ship passed by their island without sacrifices. When the odyssey ship was unharmed passed by, they were distraught. Most of them rushed into the sea and turned into a cliff, and the remaining snatched their feathers and drowned. But often as a deadly ship called the ship Jason and Argonautov.

Sophokl argued that he met the surviving Siren, which was discovered by the law of Aida. A fan of classical antiquity, Sophokl represented them with good umudded virgin devices who live each in his heavenly sphere on the world spoken by the Goddess Issue Anan. With their singing, they give rise to majestic space harmony. Rest of classic Siren - Aid. Late legends associate them with a Delphian oracle and world harmony.

Over time, these creatures have become close to and. Siren images can be found on the episches of the late mere period. Nikikomon and Feopomp created the comedies of the same name about these creatures. Southital city Surrente once possessed a magnificent temple in honor of Siren, and next to Naples there is a tomb of the senior siren.

Sirens in the Middle Ages

With the beginning of the Middle Ages in the Antique Vision of the Universe and his monsters intervened the Christian vision. Homer's myths began to be perceived from the point of view of Catholics who have seen in all biblical canons and interpretations. Changed perception and canonical myth about Odyssey.

IN "Physiologist"The very first work from which after writing later bastiary was written, an episode with sirens was borrowed from Gomeov's text. The author rewrote it in his own way:

The philanthropist says that sirens carry death. The abdicate of them is the sea, and they fascinate them. Separal sailors are deprived of consciousness, fall into sea waves and die there. They have female navels, and from the navel - birds.

Thus, the author concluded that the dual-sized people are covered in everything. And those that came to the church, but did not remove from their sins, like sirens. Affectionate words, sinners are deceiving the lungs and lead them to death.

Odyssey The medieval authors compared with Christ, and the mast to which he was tied with a cross. The ship was the allegory of the church, sirens - carnal desires. Their sweet songs expressed worldly benefits, destroying for the soul. Only ropes, symbolizing faith, were able to keep Odyssey from imposing in sin and eternal torment in Posmerty. Three sisters-sirens became an expression of greed, pride and breakdown. Ignoring the descriptions of Plinia and Ovid, the medieval monks were deprived of Siren wings and bird paws, awarding fish tails. The "heavenly" past of the virgins turned out to be forgotten.

Sirens in modern culture

In the modern world, sirens are common in many works of art. Often the authors are treated directly to antique primary sources to recreate the exact image of the creature. Marine maiden girls are not forgotten today.

When was the last time you heard a civil defense siren?

In Austria, the answer to this question at any time of the year: "Not further than last week."

After the Second World Austria, it was so raised that they covered the whole country with a network of Siren and since then test it every week exactly at 12:00 on Saturday. Every Saturday, now half a century. Throughout the country, up to the farthest corners. Farmers B. mountain villages Already for a long time they have fallen to check the clock on these signals.

And how do you then distinguish the real alarm from an extraordinary dough? - I ask a colleague.
- So the signal will be different.
- And what do you know the types of signals?
- Well, yes, everyone in school is obliged to chase them - and he listed all five species. Here are well-knownI thought and immediately forgot these signals.
- And what, at least once included on your memory?
- They say that they included during the Chernobyl catastrophe. And once again in 2000, when in Austria there was a threat of a strong wind.

Clear. Gradually, I got used to the signals and I myself began to check time.

Today, as usual, a standard test signal sounded on Saturday: "15 seconds of a monophonic sound". However, after him, ten minutes later, he seeded again, only no longer for 15 seconds, but much longer. A minute-two ... Sirena still sounds the same tone. I look out the window. In the window, people continue to go through their affairs, no one panic. What kind of? .. I connect FM radio, I start to turn the station - nothing else. At this time, the siren finally ships. "Bag some kind" - I thought.

Five minutes later - again begins to work and again a non-standard signal. What ... I climb on the Internet, I am looking for what the types of signals mean and finally stumble upon a paragraph in Wikipedia: "Every year the entire spectrum of signals is launched in the first Saturday of October - both for the test and to introduce the population with them." Yeah, today on October 4, Saturday, Fuh.

Types of Siren from Wikipedia:

1: Test: 15 seconds (Usually after it is half a minute pause, and the test is repeated)

2: Fire. 15 seconds of the signal with very short intervals (7 seconds). At the signal, all fire brigades and volunteers (volunteer brigades are doofing here) must arrive in the part. I have never heard him so much, because there are many other ways to notify firefighters.

3: DANGER! Three-minute signal (walked today after the test) - means the gap of an imminent pizder. It is recommended to turn on television and radio to find out how you will die soon.

4: Siren with a constantly changing tone without a pause (like an ambulance or police) - means that the nuclear missile is already at the pickle and would not hurt to begin to move towards the nearest asylum. Well, or in the extreme cases to defrost