The Dark Origins of Sirens | Dark Mythologies

[@AndYourLittleDog]

I’m Greek and remember a story from my childhood about sirens being created by Demeter. Apparently they were originally nymphs who were supposed to watch over Persephone. When they failed to prevent her abduction, Demeter cursed them to become sirens. The version I was told depicted them as birds.

[@solemn2854]

Harpees?

[@AndYourLittleDog]

@@solemn2854 I think Elektra gave birth to two harpies

[@sadkittten]

I read a book with this as the story

[@julianaalcantara3595]

Que porra é essa?

[@Kobiyachi_]

I too have read that

[@inkandesk]

“If you hear a sorrowful scream in the night near the shore, walk with the wind away from it” yeah I don’t generally continue the direction I heard wailing screams from

[@weteafart]

@@bambooprincess3495 just learn to swim

[@Armilus666]

I head straight to them but yeah you should stay clear.

[@amandabartels458]

😂😅 Salute!

[@quintinwright8487]

Like for real common sense

[@vanyakalinka8305]

This is like the ancient people's way of telling young men that simping is bad for your health.

[@makidtrej]

😂😂😂

[@jmcb00]

😭😭😭😭

[@theflowerhead]

Totally. 😂

[@alexiscarson6013]

Never was a more succinct yet prescient analysis ever uttered on the web 👏👏👏👏💞

[@kova1577]

It’s still true. Women are sirens

[@sallyhazy]

I love sirens, when I was younger I fought a fantasy book called Watersong because it had a sparkling cover and it was about sirens (in the book, they can take half-fish forms on water and half-bird forms on land, so the writer did a in-between both traditions) and ever since then, they have fascinated me.

[@Kainpound]

That's such an original conceptually interesting idea

[@TerryOCarroll]

As the song says, "By the time you hear the Sirens, it's already too late"

[@domirican4eva]

“Clearly it didn’t look like me, however” 💀💀 your charming delivery combined with your deep research are so appreciated!!

[@GravityFromAbove]

By the way Cinzia, here are a few worthy obscure mermaid/siren movies: She Creature 2001 (great monster vs alluring beauty take), Dagon (Lovecraft tale with a highly unique version of the feminine creature), Spring (dark mermaid love story in Italy) The Lure (recent Polish siren musical)(!), Night Tide (Dennis Hopper in a 1961 beatnik version), and I've got Mermaid Down ready to watch. It's either that or Aquamarine... Thanks for the deep dive!

[@maggiescarlet]

Aquamarine was my childhood! Her little starfish earrings were so cute 😂 that musical sounds great though, appreciate all the recommendations

[@GravityFromAbove]

@@maggiescarlet Warning. None of these are friendly mermaid movies. They are all the opposite of a Disney version. The Lure isn't a Hollywood musical at all. It is dark strange and gritty and weirdly funny. And all in Polish. But I like the dark end of the mermaid stories.

[@perfectallycromulent]

there's also an Australian tv show from 2018 called Tidelands, which is on netflix at least in some countries too (like the US)

[@Pincer88]

You've genuinely got a beautiful voice for storytelling. Could listen for hours, even if you would read from Wittgenstein's Tractatus. Have you ever considered writing your own stories and publishing them as audio books?

[@CAP198462]

Other KZbinrs with amazing voices: Drachinifel GLid The Mighty Jingles. Baldamort. Drachinifel will give you the most peaceful sleep you’ve had in decades.

[@Pincer88]

@@CAP198462 Certainly. But it's not about falling asleep, it's about hanging to her every word. The Lady of the Library makes the tale of the Sirens come alive the way she uses het voice in the introduction. That's magic.

[@sarahf1296]

Right? Like marry me and tell me stories every night. Pretty please 🙏 That would save me lots of money on streaming and audio services.

[@Pincer88]

@@sarahf1296 Wow... astonishing how you've read my mind. You must be a clairvoyant. (Please mark the sarcasm).

[@SassyGirl822006]

I'm getting the feeling that the confusion between mermaids and sirens happened fairly early. Since even the early depictions of sirens seem to go from bird-woman, to bird and fish woman, to fish-woman.

[@rosemarygilman8718]

Thank you! I’m loving this! What a great topic. In the beginning of the video where you are speaking over the images of the candle and the moon your voice is perfect for the words you are speaking. You could be a voice actor, it’s so perfect! Your choice of music is also exactly right. As always, you do such a good job of presenting incredibly well researched information mixed with humor and fun. I’m looking forward to the next installment.

[@AdrienneLaVey]

I’ve been waiting for a video from you about this! Sirens are one of my favorite mythological creatures. 🖤

[@CinziaDuBois]

Hope you enjoyed it!

[@scottdoesntmatter4409]

@@CinziaDuBois any progress on an updated vampire video?

[@chrisball3778]

I've never been sure how Mermaids ever got their current sympathetic image. All the folktales I've read about them at best portray them as alluring but capricious beings who decide to help fishermen in exchange for some kind of cursed promise, and at worst as psychopathic fish sticks with a deep-seated love of drowning mariners. I blame Hans Christian Andersen. Which is easy, because he was a very, very weird man. I.e. Looking forward to the mermaid talk.

I don't understand how Christian Andersen's works are considered "for children", they're all horrible without exception. If I remember correctly, sailors going to America (as in the entire continent, not the country) would get very excited to see "mermaids". It turned out they were manatees but that didn't stop them to describe the new lands as awesome partially because of the alleged mermaids. I guess they didn't know they were supposed to be murderous fish with boobs 😅

[@canesugar911]

Their so called sympathetic nature only exists in Disney. I'm more inclined to be sympathetic towards them

[@blossxma]

It's because they made them more "kid friendly"

[@arcadialumina]

I love those bed sheets!!! mushrooms are very witchy and mystical

[@lindanelson6615]

Your opening for this video was absolutely hypnotic!

[@e.urbach7780]

This series of videos will be really interesting to me, because my family comes from southern Italy and Sicily, including the parts at the Strait of Messina where Scylla and Charybdis and the sirens were supposed to be!

[@blackheartbooks]

You have such a nice voice for telling stories

[@adrianodrika]

Your room is so lovely, and your voice is so relaxing. I just love how much information you can pack in such a lovely voice. Thank you for teaching so much in such a lovely way.

[@aeolia80]

oh man!! I was just having this discussion with my French husband because mermaids and sirens are the same thing in French and French culture (les sirènes, quoi?, hahahhahahha), he was so surprised that with English speakers there was 2 different connotations. And then I told him about selkies, because those of us from celtic/gaelic backgrounds have this creature in our culture, and then I just confused him more, lol

Don't forget kelpies! 😃 I think in Spanish it's the same, the word Sirena is applied to both creatures.

[@alexandrad3158]

i have just a google search and realized that in ALL Romance languages, mermaids and sirens are considered the same thing....

[@HolasoyMai]

@ Yes. I still don't get used to two different types of "sirens" in English

[@leticiabarboza486]

Only now do I realize that we have only one word for both creatures in Portuguese as well 🤔

[@jeremysmith4620]

Your voice drew me into the channel, but you are all muse, no siren. October is just the best, mostly because of all the great KZbin content. Thanks for helping make the month extra Spooktacular!

[@CinziaDuBois]

Wow, thank you!

[@eldgeth3799]

What a wonderful spooky start to October!

[@danibissonnette1601]

This is my favorite on the videos you've done thus far! It reminds me of multiple world myths including the Kushtaka of North America and the rainbow bridge and the 9 realms in Nordic mythology. Thank you for making these, history and classics are so much more fascinating when you get to go on tangents and anchor them to something someone may be more familiar with :)

[@Lotrgecko]

Loved this, and I cannot wait for part 2! Also, the background music was the perfect touch *chef's kiss*

[@mommymita]

Eeeeeeek! I am so very excited for this two part series!!

[@markwynne725]

I really liked the story at the start. It really set the tone of danger masked by beauty that sirens represent. The following description of sirens in literature felt too short to me. Looking forward to the follow up!

[@AmayzinG13]

A marvelous beginning to what looks to be a favorite series, many thanks!

[@ThaetusZain]

just starting the video. Love the mushroom bedsheets

[@anna_caps]

Already excited to see part 2! Loved the video and the October themed series. ❤

[@KristyStrange]

OBSESSED! Thank you for providing an in-depth look at the origins of the siren. Adore this video series 🖤

[@nickrhodes9031]

Loved your reading at the opening...I was completely hooked. Greatly looking forward to the rest of dark October.

[@budwhite9591]

I discovered your channel a few weeks ago. Every video is better and better, you are very pretty, and your voice and accent are just beautiful. Thank you for your work.

[@andy2950]

Song to the Siren by This Mortal Coil. ❤ Persephone by The Cocteau Twins 🥰

[@MammaApa]

Song to the Siren is a cover, original by Tim Buckley. I couldn't choose one over the other though, and that is rare when it comes to covers!

[@andy2950]

@MammaApa I know. Jeff Buckley was obsessed with Liz Fraser after hearing her cover of his Dad's song. That's the clincher for me.

[@SethTheXenocide]

Good first video. I'm fine with these topics stretching into Christmas time!

[@princessanthony7538]

currently writing a story about sirens and your videos are very helpful 🤍🤍

[@MMKFT]

Thank goodness for the only person who have the intelligence and voice to give wonderful info. Love ur channel!❤

[@meowcenary21]

Newly discovered your channel today and have been binge watching. Your academic presentation gorgeously pairs with the entertaining and insightful points made. My mind feels as revived days in graduate school, which is the most sincere of compliments.

[@carly885]

Thank you! 😊 this was really interesting, I'm excited for part 2 🧜‍♀️

[@CinziaDuBois]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dekay666]

Odysseus wanted to be tied to the mast because if the sirens sang and nobody came, they would know and seek them out. He did it to protect the crew. The sirens knew someone (Odysseus) could hear them so they kept singing until the crew who couldn’t hear her snuck the ship past. It was a diversion tactic and had nothing to do with cake. 🙂

[@brandonlrushman2870]

Why does every British person sound like an Oxford professor! 💚 everything sounds more intelligent and smooth! 💚 Love the mythological on sirens/mermaids! 💙

[@DarkINsides06]

You're very well read but I keep coming back to your videos because you're so comforting and your voice relaxes me. I really enjoy your work 🖖🏼

[@RafaelGarcia022]

Thank you for these videos. The scholarly content mixes well with your sweet and fun personality :)

[@TerryWilliams-wu8xc]

I enjoy listening to your voice, both alluring and calming.

[@barjamlin7962]

Interesting subject, and an excellent video. You have a beautiful voice for storytelling.

[@paulshaddix5290]

finding your channel has improved my Classical education onehundred fold...thank you..

[@Soilfood365]

Always a treat when one of yours turns up in my feed! This comment to let the algorithm know I'd like to see the next one more promptly...

[@emmajones8715]

About fantastic video, thank you for all of the work you put in to your content x

[@CinziaDuBois]

Thank you so much, Emma!!

[@lesliemoiseauthor]

I love this Halloween themed series!

[@avgeek3811]

I love the spooky tone of the video. I'm excited for part 2

[@AudreyDarling]

“Clearly it didn’t look like me however” -I chuckled 🤣

[@MoeShinola1]

"Many a hero has been laid low, like Samson, by a perfidious Ba" - William S. Burroughs

[@thevegancupid77]

please do more storytelling like you did at the start of the video. it helps me fall asleep. it would be great if you do more. i love these!

[@millymollymrst3537]

This was totally fascinating, love your channel.❤

[@mysti_aura]

Love your videos Cinzia can't wait for part 2!!!

[@OlliWitta3_]

11:50 makes me think of the different hz frequencies 😮

[@hannahsolo27]

I’m liking the background mood music! Excellent video as always ❤

[@paulshaddix5290]

always excellent and well paced...thank you for your consistancy and excellent......

[@Skibbityboo0580]

My new favorite KZbinr!

[@CinziaDuBois]

Aww, thank you!

[@ongjune8328]

Love this series!! Can't wait for more :D Happy October everyone

[@daskraut]

i only remember that the sirens got a little bit... annoyed... when obelix asked for food.

[@ReadingNymph]

Your videos are always so fantastic! Loved this look into Sirens

[@holyfreak86]

I'd love to see a faithful adaptation of sirens on the screen, as they were described by Homer in "The Oddysey". Great video Lady! Love the narration at the intro.

[@Just-aNerd]

Soooo, If sirens have wings, one could write a story in which sky sirens lure pilots instead of sailors.

[@SamSam-esqe]

Ooooooooooooooo

[@fatimarezigui3892]

I just can't seem to stop watching ur videos! 😍 Thank u ❤️

[@NatalieAuroraS]

I love the background music. I very much enjoyed this video and cannot wait for others such as this one.

[@JewelMooreSings]

I really loved this video!! Thanks!! ❤

[@CinziaDuBois]

Glad you liked it!!

[@thomasking432]

I've heard the same story regarding Demeter creating the sirens. There is another clip on KZbin that explains how Hera manipulated the sirens to pit their talents against the Muses in order to indirectly humble Demeter.

[@can-i-go-now]

Glad I found this channel.

[@bwalker77]

All right, I'm hooked. I just subscribed.

[@mercurialfox]

Loving this dark series!

[@hollyreed6538]

Rely enjoyed this one and would rely like it if you could do a video in the 5 parts that Egyptians believed made up ones self it sounds very interesting

[@Calin0uchka]

Such an interesting video 💗.

[@nikikaniki]

Super fascinating thank you as always

[@winterburden]

Thanks for this neat siren video! 🙆‍♀️

[@CinziaDuBois]

Glad you liked it!

[@MrAaroncissell]

Ohhh Thanks for the hopefully three months of fun!

[@bronwynsmith4469]

I always look forward to hearing your videos 🎬

[@CinziaDuBois]

Glad you like them!

[@MiciusPorcius]

Fascinating stuff keep it up!

[@CinziaDuBois]

Thanks, will do!

[@talyah23]

Loved this 🥰

[@johnsaxongitno4life588]

I really really enjoyed this amazing video love it and love you and your amazing channel ❤❤❤❤

[@CinziaDuBois]

Thank you so much!!

[@johnsaxongitno4life588]

@@CinziaDuBois no worries 😉 your welcome 🙏

[@evanames5940]

Thanks again as always.

[@MasterManGod]

Thank you so much for doing this. There was so much about sirens I didn't know or never realized, especially their connection to Egypt and descriptions. Looking forward to part 2! (also asphodel is one of my favorite words to say lol)

[@lungelongubane4071]

I never would have thought of sirens as celestial it's a new perspective 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥❤️❤️❤️

[@Madlymarmalade]

I don't think it was mentioned or asked yet, but what are you reading in the intro? I'm in love whatever it is and i want more of that one too. This is epic.

[@lilykatmoon4508]

Lmao: “It clearly didn’t look like me…” 😂Spicy 😉

[@crystalcastillo7575]

Always had a fascinating with mermaids. This was such an interesting video

[@cadenceclearwater4340]

A beautiful reading 😊

[@janicegagnon2294]

Can’t wait !

[@fourhemispheres2734]

I loved this ❤

[@katymaloney]

Me, suddenly realizing half-tangent that daffodils have 6 points, so basically hexagonal star-shaped... Hellflowers! xD

[@uh...........]

i remember being told by my teacher that sirens originally didn't have tails, that bit of information where a siren has a tail like a mermaid was just added folklore development. originally sirens had wings.

[@concealed2.0]

I love this so much

[@jimperry6463]

Request: the boatman of the underworld across mythologies

[@crazy4catsRL]

I’ve never heard of the half bird half human sirens. I thought I had done a lot of reading but I guess I have much more to do. Can anyone suggest any sources to look at and/or read? Tia!

[@violetsidhe]

Another great video… I am kinda distracted by your mushroom duvet cover and pillow cases

[@geonunes10]

The change in set actually works for the halloween theme

[@tr8rsn4k36]

Ahh the screencap from Dagon in the thumbnail👌🏻

[@angelicaheredia9187]

in Italian siren and mermaid both translate to the word "Sirena"

[@jissellecruz4054]

Same in Spanish

[@mathieuleader8601]

never knew the sirens had a role in the underworld acting as a living lynchpin to hold up the heavens and the earth

[@jamestharp7286]

I remember reading translation from a hebrew text that said the punishment for the mothers of the nephilim was to be transformed into sirens. Cant remember if their physical form was described or not, but something has me leaning towards part bird not fish. Ill have to see if i can find it

[@rasheedawilson752]

Looking forward to this series!!

[@shanscheiidt2895]

Idrk why, but the "Ba" reminds me a lot of the character Yubaba in Spirited Away

[@shantellmcbride3726]

What song is playing in the background?