Harpy, Siren and Mermaid

Day 7 - Today we have a trio of terrifying half-women: the Harpy, Siren and Mermaid!

Early mentions of the harpies describe them as beautiful women but I’ve gone more towards later depictions which have them involved in torture and violence. With talons like that I’d not want to get on their bad side.

Next we have the kind of similar sirens. Now when they weren’t being described a having the bodies of sparrows they were always described as beautiful women. The extent of their bird features could range from none to having full wings and bird-like feet. They used their womanly charms alongside music and their alluring voices to charm men.

Finally we have the mermaid. Mermaids are one of those myths that you can find in many different cultures - there must be something about fish-women that the human psyche really digs… Again, they’re usually portrayed a beautiful women but more recently the idea of a more sinister mermaid has been explored. And then you have the reverse-mermaid, which is just plain wrong.