Siren vs. Mermaid: siren and mermaid differences can be seen in their personality. A siren is a Greek mythology creature infamous for singing beautifully to allure the sailor and wreck their ships. At the same time, a mermaid is a being in Greek, European, and world history who is the epitome of beauty and benevolence.
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Defining Siren and Mermaid for a better understanding
What is Siren?
Siren is a half bird and half woman creature that intends to destroy sailors by luring them through the sweetness of their voice.
What is Mermaid?
Mermaid is a half fish and half woman-bodied elegant aquatic sea creature that appears in the folklore of many cultures worldwide.
Throwing some light on the pros and cons of siren vs. mermaid
Siren Pros and Cons
| Siren Pros | Siren Cons |
|---|---|
| These are great for a person looking for an evil creature. | Siren is one of the evilest creatures. |
| Their beauty is captivating. | They can lead a man to death. |
| Siren’s voice is melodious. | They are slaughterers. |
| A siren can make a man delightful before his death. | They are not suitable for a man looking for an innocent woman. |
| They sing so well. | |
| They are great for someone who is looking for a bird-woman. |
Mermaid Pros and Cons
| Mermaid Pros | Mermaid Cons |
|---|---|
| The beauty of a mermaid is mesmerizing. | Mermaids also have a bit of a negative impact. |
| They can make one fall in love with them. | They can also kill a man sometimes. |
| Mermaids are not as destructive as sirens. | Mermaids aren’t a good fit for horror stories when compared to sirens. |
| They usually have a positive impact on others. | |
| They may not always lead to a man’s death. | |
| They can make a passing sailor fall in love. |
What are the similarities between a siren and a mermaid?
If a person wants to learn the difference between sirens and mermaids, he must first understand the facts that create confusion between a siren and a mermaid. The similarities between both can make it pretty obvious for a human being.
- Both are mythical female creatures.
- Both seduce men with their enthralling voices and gorgeous bodies.
- Both can be destructive.
- Both have the upper body of a woman.
Top 5 Differences Between Siren and Mermaid
The two might be considered the same by many people, but both are entirely separate mythological creatures. They have different origins, different cultures, and even eat different food. A similar thing is they both are female and have half the body of a woman. Still, they appear to be different.
| Basis | Siren | Mermaid |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Siren originated in Greek mythology. | Mermaids are a natural being in European folklore. |
| Appearance | Siren has the head of a woman and the lower body of a bird. | Mermaid has the head of a woman and tail of a fish. |
| Hair | Siren has short hair. | Mermaids are known for their long hair. |
| Destruction level | They are more destructive. | They are less destructive. |
| Impact | Sirens have a negative impact. | Mermaids usually have a positive impact. |
How do you understand siren vs. mermaid vs. harpy?
A siren, a mermaid, and a harpy are not the same. However, all of them have a destructive side, a dark side, that can lead a man to death. The three may look quite similar to the least differences. The attributes of these mythical creatures are commonly mixed. The difference between mermaid, siren, and harpy depends on their culture.
A mermaid is a charming and beautiful woman, a siren is an exotic and seductive woman, but a harpy is ugly. Harpies are more similar to sirens than mermaids in terms of appearance. They, too, have a half-bird body.
Another thing that differentiates siren, mermaid, and harpy is that while the former two seduce a man through their voice and beauty, harpies don’t do the same. On the contrary, harpy tortures humans by robbing their food and not letting them rest or eat.
Where harpies screech to annoy a human, the other two sing in a sweet voice.
What is the difference between a siren and a mermaid?
The difference between siren and mermaid is, sirens are marauder and slaughterer creatures. On the other hand, mermaids are not necessarily killers. Both of them seduce men with their voices and body, but a mermaid has a positive personality, and a siren has a negative personality.
When did sirens become mermaids?
Siren became mermaids in the 14th century.
Why are mermaids also called sirens?
Sirens were half-bird and half-woman creatures in early Greek mythology. And mermaids are also seen in a half-woman body. This is what created confusion between the two creatures. This misconception led to mermaids being called sirens.
Is the Starbucks logo a siren or a mermaid?
The Starbucks logo is a combination of both of these creatures. It is neither a pure siren nor a pure mermaid. It’s a twin-tailed mermaid.
Can mermaids talk?
Mermaids are very talkative, fluent, and desire to communicate with people without hesitation but just in mythologies, books, and motion pictures. However, true mermaids cannot talk.
What do mermaids do?
Mermaids are beautiful creatures that lure the passing sailors and make them fall in love. Mermaids can also eventually kill the person who falls in love with them.
What is the siren song?
The siren song is the seductive appeal sung by the sirens to allure men.
What would mermaids eat?
Mermaids eat fish, mollusks, crabs, seaweed, and sea vegetables.
What is a siren in Greek mythology?
As per Greek mythology, a siren is a slaughterer creature who lures men through their enthralling singing voice. Make them fall in love and then kill them.
What do you call the sound of a siren?
The sound of a siren is called The Siren Song.
Comparison Chart
Comparison Video
Final Thoughts
In the modern world, the siren and the mermaid are often portrayed in the same character. The people have forgotten the difference between these mythological creatures. To have a clear understanding, simply remember that a siren features a lower body of a bird, while a mermaid features that of a fish.
