sirene

Sirene is a term used in several languages with multiple meanings, most commonly in French, where the word denotes a mythical sea creature as well as an audible warning device. In English-language contexts, the equivalent is typically siren, though sirene may appear in translations, proper names, or regional usage.

In Greek mythology, the seirēn (the original form of the word) are sea-dwelling beings whose songs lure sailors to danger. Early depictions often show them as part-wemale, part-bird, though later traditions favor mermaid-like figures. Their singing is described as irresistible, a tool for temptation and danger. A famous episode in the Odyssey describes Odysseus having his crew block their ears while he is tied to the mast so he can hear the Sirens’ song without being drawn to danger.

Etymologically, sirene derives from the Greek seirēn, adapted into Latin as sirena and into French as sirène. The exact linguistic roots are debated, but the term has become widely associated with both mermaid imagery and with alarm sounds in modern usage.

Modern usage and culture often reflect the dual sense: sirene can mean a mermaid or a siren alarm in French, while in English the term siren conveys alarm devices, dangerous allure, or mythical beings. In literature, film, and art, Sirens are frequently used as symbols of temptation, risk, and the boundary between civilization and the sea.