Song of the Sirens

Author: Dong Dai
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-04-01
Features: Ursula is her a sacrifice, little did she know, in ancient times, her enchanting voice had already determined the fate of countless sailors. The Sirens tempt and devour living beings. Depicted on ancient Greek artifacts, they were given wings, while medieval animal fables gave them fish tails. Yet, it was the Renaissance that revealed their licentious behavior. Is she a woman or an animal? Rationalist insights deemed her the latter, while 18th-century naturalists believed she was a type of manatee. Before being finally laid to rest as a myth in the 19th century, she was either exhibited as a monstrous creature at markets or revered as a legendary female hero. As the ultimate symbol of desire, what exactly is the Siren? With a passion for mystery, Victor-de-Dong Dai traverses the course of history to uncover the truth about this enigmatic being. "There are three kinds of Sirens in the sea. The first two have the upper body of a woman and the lower body of a fish, while the third has the upper body of a woman and the lower body of a bird. The three Sirens sing and play music together. The first blows a horn, the second plays a lyre, and the third displays her alluring voice. The Sirens' songs are melodious, and those who hear them eagerly draw closer. Once a man falls for the trap, they render him senseless, and when he is completely unconscious, they kill him."