This article are about the three sea nymphs. You may be looking for Sirens' Island in the Sea of Monsters.
| “ | The Sirens sing the truth about what you desire. They tell you things about yourself you didn't even realize. That's what's so enchanting. If you survive, you are said to become wiser. | ” |
–Annabeth talking about the Siren's music, in The Sea of Monsters | ||
The Sirens were sea nymphs who lured sailors to their death with a bewitching song.
History[]
Terpsichore, their mother
They were formerly handmaidens and best friends of the goddess Persephone. When she was secretly abducted by Hades on the island of Capri, Demeter gave them the bodies of birds and sent them to assist in the search. After finding no sign of Persephone, they instead settled on the flowery island of Anthemoessa.
It was here that they would sing their enchanting song that would lure sailors to their death, as no one could resist their song and the people would drown trying to reach them. However the Argonauts managed to pass by unharmed thanks to Orpheus, who used his song and poetry to shield his shipmates from the song of the Sirens. Odysseus also managed to pass by ordering his crew to tie him to the mast, disarm him, and plug their ears, so that they would know when they had passed safely by seeing Odysseus' reaction.
Depending on the myth, their numbers and names tend to change. In the Odyssey, Homer says there were two, but gives them no names. Other myths say there are anywhere from two to five Sirens. The Sirens have been given names such as Peisinoe, Aglaope and Thelxiepeia or other variations of.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians[]
The Sea of Monsters[]
After their close escape from Circe's Island, Annabeth persuades Percy to let her hear the Sirens as it is said that a survivor of the siren's song can gain wisdom from them. Percy agrees and ties her up with a rope, but she manages to escape using her knife (as Percy had forgotten to disarm her). Percy dives to the sea in an attempt to save her. After much struggling, when he finally gets hold of her, he sees what the sirens appear like to her.
The scene shows Annabeth's dad and Athena sitting down together. Luke is also there and he is no longer evil, sitting with them on a picnic blanket, gesturing for her to sit next to him. In the background is a new Manhattan, completely redesigned by Annabeth (as her dream is to be an architect so she can build something permanent). The buildings are made of white marble with gold windows.
Annabeth Chase, who survived their deadly song
Percy then realizes that the siren song cannot not be heard beneath the waves and subsequently drags Annabeth below the water's surface. When she can no longer hear the song of the Sirens, she regains control, and begins to cry. Percy creates a water bubble to allow her to breathe. After a while, they swim to safety from Siren Island and board the ship. After this, Annabeth confesses her Fatal Flaw, Hubris, to Percy.
Appearance[]
The Sirens are depicted as human sized vultures, with dirty black plumage, gray talons and wrinkled pink necks. The sirens have the bodies of vultures as described by Percy. They have human heads that change to the people you know (in Percy's case, their heads changed from Sally Jackson, Poseidon, Grover Underwood, Tyson, and Chiron), always smiling reassuringly, trying to lure their prey to their deaths, but their mouths were always greasy and caked with the remnants of old meals if seen clearly.
In Greek mythology, they would appear as ugly bird women playing harps sitting on rocks. They would sing in a voice that would tempt unsuspecting sailors to their deaths. In mosaic art they were depicted with just bird legs.
Abilities[]
- The Sirens are able to produce music that no one can resist, leading many victims to be drawn to them, only to be killed.
- The Sirens can also show someone their Fatal Flaw through a vision. They can also make themselves look like someone the victim knows to lure them into a false sense of security.
- It's possible that they also have the power of flight, as they have the bodies of birds.
Gallery[]
