La Sirena/Sirene/Cavalli Marini Amulets — The House of Good Fortune

Sirens in Greek Mythology

The concept of sirens originates from Greek mythology, where they were depicted as creatures with the head of a woman and the body of a bird. These sirens were known for their enchanting music and singing voices that could lure sailors to their doom, occasionally causing ships to crash on rocky coasts. Early Greek writers such as Homer described them as part of the perilous challenges Odysseus faced on his journey home in the epic poem “The Odyssey.”

Terracotta statuette of a siren c. 550–500 B.C. Greek, The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Sirens are mythical creatures famous in antiquity for their song, which lured sailors to their death. Sanctuaries to the sirens are known to have existed in parts… — **Terracotta statuette of a siren c. 550–500 B.C. Greek,** **The Metropolitan Museum of Art.** Sirens are mythical creatures famous in antiquity for their song, which lured sailors to their death. Sanctuaries to the sirens are known to have existed in parts of South Italy and Sicily, as the geographer Strabo and other ancient writers tell us. This large, hand-modeled sculpture with applied decoration may well have been a votive offering at such a sanctuary.

Transformation into Mermaids

Over time, the portrayal of sirens shifted from bird-like creatures to beings that were half-woman, half-fish, resembling what we now recognize as mermaids. This transformation is believed to have occurred during the Hellenistic period when artistic representations began to merge the siren with the sea nymphs, known as Nereids. The Nereids were benevolent deities of the sea, often depicted as beautiful maidens riding on dolphins or other sea creatures.

As the image of sirens evolved, they became synonymous with mermaids, creatures of the sea with the upper body of a woman and the tail of a fish. Mermaids appear in the folklore of many cultures worldwide, including the Near East, Europe, Africa, and Asia. The mermaid became a symbol of the untamed and mysterious nature of the ocean, often associated with both good fortune and misfortune. They were said to possess magical powers, including the ability to heal, bestow gifts, and foretell the future.

Siren c. 1571-90. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Direct and dramatic, this bronze half-length statue represents a nude woman, aquatic from the waist down, who holds a scaly tail in each hand. Her long hair trails behind her to a set of fish gills … — **Siren c. 1571-90. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.** Direct and dramatic, this bronze half-length statue represents a nude woman, aquatic from the waist down, who holds a scaly tail in each hand. Her long hair trails behind her to a set of fish gills that fan out from all sides of her body. She wears a pointed crown, which is clearly a later addition. The statue reflects traditional types of mermaid figures and in particular the mythic Greek sirens. The sculptured figure of a woman holding her own fish tails can be found on Romanesque capitals, and in the sixteenth century the image became a decorative motif for tapestries and small bronze candelabra.

Siren Amulets

The fish-lady concept of the mermaid takes us to the topic at hand: old silver amulets called Sirene (mermaids) or Cavalli Marini (sea horses). In The Evil Eye, Elworthy explains that these amulets were suspended from chains and “Like all Diana charms, they are of silver.” They were either worn by Neapolitan ladies “outside the dress” or hung up in the house. Unlike the cimaruta, they were usually double-sided. Here is an example of a “Siren” amulet from the collection of The Victoria & Albert Museum in London:

“Amulets in the form of a mermaid, or sirena in Spanish, had been used in Spain since the 17th century. This particular form, with the mermaid blowing a trumpet, was mainly used by women and children as a protection against the evil eye. The noise of the bells hanging along the lower edge would similarly help to frighten off any evil spirits. It was bought for the museum by Senor Riano for three shillings and four pence in Cordoba in 1871.”

Sirens/Mermaids are still popular symbols in modern times — the Starbucks logo was (allegedly) modeled on a siren from a 16th century Nordic woodcut and has maintained its mermaid roots while evolving into its modern, less risque and more corporate iteration.

Cultural Significance

The transformation from siren to mermaid reflects a broader cultural shift in how the sea was perceived. While the ancient Greeks viewed the ocean as a realm of danger, later interpretations embraced it as a source of wonder and exploration. Mermaids, therefore, came to represent the allure and mystery of the sea, embodying both its beauty and its potential for peril.

The enduring legacy of sirens and mermaids continues to captivate our imagination, symbolizing the human fascination with the unknown and the powerful forces of nature. Whether as ominous figures of ancient myths or enchanting beings of modern fairy tales, these creatures serve as a reminder of the profound connection between humanity and the sea.

More Mermaid Lore to Explore:

Mami Wata: Water Spirit, Snake Charmer or Mermaid?