Siren vs. Harpy: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on February 27, 2024
A siren is a mythological creature known for its enchanting song luring sailors, while a harpy is a mythical creature with a woman's head and a bird's body, known for its viciousness.
Key Differences
Sirens, in Greek mythology, are creatures with the body of a bird and the head of a woman, known for their mesmerizing songs that lured sailors to their doom. Harpies, also from Greek mythology, are depicted as birds with the heads of women, but are associated with violent winds and seen as agents of punishment.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 27, 2024
Sirens are often portrayed as seductive and enchanting, using their voices to bewitch those who hear them. Harpies are seen as malevolent, snatching food and causing destruction, often serving as agents of punishment sent by the gods.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 27, 2024
In art and literature, sirens are depicted as alluring and dangerous, symbolizing temptation and the perils of succumbing to it. Harpies are often shown as fierce and terrifying, embodying chaos and retribution.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 27, 2024
In modern usage, a 'siren' can refer to a temptingly beautiful woman or something that lures one into a dangerous situation. A 'harpy' can describe a scolding, nagging, or predatory woman, often used pejoratively.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 27, 2024
Sirens in literature symbolize enticement and the danger of being seduced by something harmful. Harpies represent destructive nature, uncontrolled power, and punishment.
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Feb 27, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Physical Appearance
Bird-like body, woman's head/face
Bird body, woman's head
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Feb 27, 2024
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Siren and Harpy Definitions
Siren
A symbol of irresistible temptation leading to danger.
The allure of fame was a siren call he couldn't resist.
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Jan 15, 2024
Harpy
A symbol of uncontrollable destructive power.
In the tale, harpies embodied the chaos of the storm.
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Jan 15, 2024
Siren
A term used for something that seductively attracts.
The city's vibrant culture was a siren to young artists.
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Jan 15, 2024
Harpy
A metaphor for a nagging, threatening presence.
He likened his constant anxiety to a harpy, always lurking.
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Jan 15, 2024
Siren
A mythological creature known for luring sailors with enchanting music.
The sailors were captivated by the siren's song.
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Jan 15, 2024
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Harpy
A pejorative term for a scolding, predatory woman.
She was unfairly labeled a harpy by her detractors.
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Jan 15, 2024
Siren
A device that emits a loud, warning sound.
The ambulance's siren wailed through the streets.
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Jan 15, 2024
Harpy
Greek Mythology One of several loathsome, voracious monsters with the head and trunk of a woman and the tail, wings, and talons of a bird.
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Jan 14, 2024
Siren
Greek Mythology One of a group of sea nymphs who by their sweet singing lured mariners to destruction on the rocks surrounding their island.
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Jan 14, 2024
Siren
A device in which compressed air or steam is driven against a rotating perforated disk to create a loud, often wailing sound as a signal or warning.
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Jan 14, 2024
Harpy
(mythological creature) A mythological creature generally depicted as a bird-of-prey with the head of maiden, a face pale with hunger and long claws on her hands personifying the destructive power of storm winds.
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Jan 14, 2024
Siren
An electronic device producing a similar sound as a signal or warning
A police car siren.
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Jan 14, 2024
Siren
Any of several slender aquatic salamanders of the family Sirenidae of eastern North America, having external gills, small forelimbs, and no hind limbs.
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Jan 14, 2024
Siren
(Greek mythology) One of a group of nymphs who lured mariners to their death on the rocks.
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Jan 14, 2024
Harpy
A large and powerful double-crested, short-winged American eagle (Harpia harpyja).
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Jan 14, 2024
Harpy
A fabulous winged monster, ravenous and filthy, having the face of a woman and the body of a vulture, with long claws, and the face pale with hunger. Some writers mention two, others three.
Both table and provisions vanished quite.With sound of harpies' wings and talons heard.
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Jan 14, 2024
Harpy
One who is rapacious or ravenous; an extortioner.
The harpies about all pocket the pool.
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Jan 14, 2024
Siren
(biology) A member of a genus of aquatic salamanders of the family Sirenidae, commonly used for all species subsumed under the family of Sirenidae.
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Jan 14, 2024
Siren
(entomology) Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the genus Hestina.
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Jan 14, 2024
Siren
A device, either mechanical or electronic, that makes a piercingly loud sound as an alarm or signal, or the sound from such a device (first recorded 1879).
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Jan 14, 2024
Harpy
(Greek mythology) vicious winged monster; often depicted as a bird with the head of a woman
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Jan 14, 2024
Siren
(music) A musical instrument, one of the few aerophones in the percussion section of the symphony orchestra (patented as Acme Siren in 1895).
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Jan 14, 2024
Harpy
Any of various fruit bats of the genus Nyctimene distinguished by nostrils drawn out into diverging tubes
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Jan 14, 2024
Siren
An instrument for demonstrating the laws of beats and combination tones.
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Jan 14, 2024
Siren
An astrophysical event that can be used for calculating cosmic distances.
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Jan 14, 2024
Harpy
A mythical creature with a woman's head and a bird's body, known for its viciousness.
The harpy swooped down, screeching angrily.
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Jan 15, 2024
Harpy
A representation of storm winds and punishment in mythology.
The harpies were sent as punishment by the gods.
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Jan 15, 2024
Siren
One of three sea nymphs, - or, according to some writers, of two, - said to frequent an island near the coast of Italy, and to sing with such sweetness that they lured mariners to destruction.
Next where the sirens dwell you plow the seas;Their song is death, and makes destruction please.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 14, 2024
Siren
Any long, slender amphibian of the genus Siren or family Sirenidæ, destitute of hind legs and pelvis, and having permanent external gills as well as lungs. They inhabit the swamps, lagoons, and ditches of the Southern United States. The more common species (Siren lacertina) is dull lead-gray in color, and becames two feet long.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 14, 2024
Siren
An instrument for producing musical tones and for ascertaining the number of sound waves or vibrations per second which produce a note of a given pitch. The sounds are produced by a perforated rotating disk or disks. A form with two disks operated by steam or highly compressed air is used sounding an alarm to vessels in fog.
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Jan 14, 2024
Siren
Of or pertaining to a siren; bewitching, like a siren; fascinating; alluring; as, a siren song.
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Jan 14, 2024
Siren
A sea nymph (part woman and part bird) supposed to lure sailors to destruction on the rocks where the nymphs lived;
Odysseus ordered his crew to plug their ears so they would not hear the Siren's fatal song
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Jan 14, 2024
Siren
An acoustic device producing a loud often wailing sound as a signal or warning
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 14, 2024
Siren
Eel-like aquatic North American salamander with small forelimbs and no hind limbs; have permanent external gills
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 14, 2024
Siren
An alluring woman or thing that leads one into a harmful situation.
She was a siren, drawing him into a world of trouble.
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Jan 15, 2024
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Are sirens always depicted asfemale?
Yes, sirens in mythology are typically depicted as female figures.
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Feb 27, 2024
Can harpies be benevolent in any myths?
Harpies are generally depicted as malevolent creatures in mythology.
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Feb 27, 2024
Is the siren's song always fatal?
The siren's song is often depicted as leading to danger or death, but not always fatal.
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Feb 27, 2024
Are sirens part of maritime legends only?
While commonly associated with the sea, sirens appear in various mythological contexts.
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Feb 27, 2024
What do harpies symbolize?
Harpies symbolize destruction, punishment, and chaos.
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Feb 27, 2024
Have sirens evolved in modern culture?
Yes, sirens have evolved in modern culture to represent any alluring but dangerous entity.
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Feb 27, 2024
Do harpies appear in modern media?
Yes, harpies appear in various forms in modern books, movies, and games.
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Feb 27, 2024
Do harpies have a specific mythological role?
Harpies are often associated with punishment and carrying off evildoers.
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Feb 27, 2024
Can sirens transform in myths?
Some myths depict sirens with the ability to transform or possess magical powers.
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Feb 27, 2024
Are harpies always female?
Yes, harpies are traditionally depicted as having the heads of women.
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Feb 27, 2024
Are harpies related to any gods in mythology?
In some myths, harpies are associated with gods like Zeus for enacting punishment.
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Feb 27, 2024
Is the concept of a siren unique to Greek mythology?
Similar concepts to sirens appear in other cultures' folklore, but with different names and attributes.
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Feb 27, 2024
Can sirens be seen as positive figures?
While typically viewed as dangerous, some modern interpretations depict sirens in a more positive or sympathetic light.
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Feb 27, 2024
What's the origin of the siren myth?
The siren myth originated in ancient Greek mythology.
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Feb 27, 2024
Do sirens have a counterpart in Roman mythology?
In Roman mythology, sirens are similar to their Greek counterparts but have less emphasis on their dangerous nature.
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Feb 27, 2024
What are the differences between sirens and mermaids?
Sirens are bird-women known for their song, while mermaids are fish-women known for their beauty and allure.
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Feb 27, 2024
Has the image f the siren changed in contemporary fiction?
Yes, in contemporary fiction, sirens are often given more depth and varied characteristics, sometimes even portrayed as heroines or complex figures.
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Feb 27, 2024
What creatures are similar to harpies in other cultures?
Creatures similar to harpies in other mythologies include the Valkyries in Norse mythology and the Tengu in Japanese folklore.
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Feb 27, 2024
How are harpies typically depicted in art?
Harpies are often depicted as fierce creatures with women's heads and birds' bodies, sometimes carrying off victims.
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Feb 27, 2024
Are there famous stories involving harpies?
One famous story involving harpies is the Argonauts' encounter with them during their quest for the Golden Fleece.
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Feb 27, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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