The mermaids, unlike the popular custom, within the Greek tradition were marine geniuses, half women and half birds. His ancestry is unclear. According to the most common versions of the myth, they are daughters of Melpomene (muse of tragedy) and Achelous (god of the river of the same name and firstborn of the gods of the river). But other versions are made by daughters of Acheloo and Estérope, or Terpsícore (muse of poetry and dance) or also by the god Forcis. According to the version of Libanio, they were born from the blood of Achelous, which was shed by Heracles (Hercules).
The first known mention of sirens is in The Odyssey, when Odysseus faces his song at sea. Here there are only two, but other traditions speak of three: Pisínoe (Parténope), Agláope (Leucosia) and Telxiepia (Ligia) or even four: Teles, Redne, Molpe and Telxíope.
Sirens know that their specialty was music. It is believed that one played the lyre, another sang and the other played the flute.
For the poet and mythologist Ovidio, the sirens did not always have that shape, but at first they were very beautiful companions of Persephone (goddess of the underworld and companion of Hades), before being kidnapped by Hades. When the kidnapping occurred, they asked the gods to give them wings so they could go in search of their friend. Another version says that his transformation was a punishment of Demeter for not defending his daughter Hades and avoid kidnapping. It is also said that Aphrodite took away their beauty, because they despised the arts of love.
There is a legend that says that after the metamorphosis, they competed with the Muses, and they are very offended, torn and crowned with their spoils.
According to the most widespread myth, they lived on an island in the Mediterranean that was traditionally located off the southern coast of Italy, more specifically in front of the island of Sorrento and with the music they played they attracted the sailors, who were surprised by the sound. , They lost control of the ship that was crashing against the reefs. Then the sirens devoured the reckless navigators.
Several heroes passed through their island unharmed, thanks to the tricks or the help of some god. In the case of the Argonauts, it is said that they passed very close to the island of the sirens, but that Orpheus, who had a reputation for singing beautifully (Greek hero) made use of his talent so harmoniously and melodiously, that He did not I heard they were saved from their terrible fate. Butes (one of the Argonauts) could not stand the temptation and threw himself into the sea, but Aphrodite rescued him.
In the same way, Odysseus (Ulysses), fecund in his tricks, when they approached the dreaded island, following the advice of Circe, ordered his men to cover their ears with wax, and could not with the curiosity to listen to them. It was tied to the mast, with orders that what happened would not be untied. When he heard the songs of the sirens, he wanted to release them but his classmates did not allow it. The legend says that the sirens, devastated by their failure, threw themselves into the sea and drowned.
Later, the mermaids came to be considered divinities of the future life, and were supposed to sing for the blessed in the Fortunate Isles. This is how they came to represent the heavenly harmonies and that is how they draw them in coffins and sarcophagi.
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