Editing Siren (mythology) (section)

==== The miniatures ====
{{multiple image
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 | image1 = BnF Latin 6838 B, fo.025v-syrenes.jpg
 | alt1 = Siren in a bestiary, Bibliothèque Nationale, Latin 6838 B
 | caption1 = Siren. {{right|{{small|―BnF Latin 6838 B, fol. 25v}}<ref name="BnF-La_6838_B"/>}}

 | image2 = Siren 3244.jpg
 | alt2 = Siren in the bestiary, British Library, MS 3244
 | caption2 = Siren. {{right|{{small|―Bestiary bound in a theological miscellany. British Library, [[Harleian Library|Harley]] MS 3244}}}}
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[[file:Morgan M.81, f.017r-sirene.jpg|thumb|Sirens. One on the left holds a comb. {{right|{{small|―Worksop Bestiary. [[Morgan Library]] M.81}}<ref name="Morgan-M.81"/>]]
[[file:Sloane278, fol.47r-sirena&onocentaurus.jpg|thumb|(Bottom left) fish-siren{{sfnp|Druce|1915|loc=pp. 174–175, Pl. X, No. 2}} of mermaid-form. (Bottom right) onocentaur {{right|{{small|―Bestiary, Sloane MS. 278, fol. 47r}}<ref name="Sloan283"/>]]

The siren's bird-like description from classical sources was retained in the Latin version of the ''Physiologus'' (6th century) and several subsequent [[bestiary|bestiaries]] into the 13th century,<ref>''Physiologus'' "B" text and its derivative. {{harvp|Holford-Strevens|2006|p=29}} ''et sqq.''</ref><ref name="mustard" /> but at some time during the interim, the mermaid shape was introduced to this body of works.<ref>{{harvp|Holford-Strevens|2006|p=31}}: There were "those who introduced the mermaid into the Latin Physiologus and the bestiaries thence derived".</ref> 

;As woman-fish or mermaid
{{further|Mermaid#Sirens}}
The siren was illustrated as a woman-fish (mermaid) in the ''[[Bern Physiologus]]'' dated to the mid-9th century, even though this contradicted the accompanying text which described it as avian.{{Refn|name="berne-physiologus"|Berne, Bürgerbibliotek Cod. 318. fol. 13v. Rubric: "De Natura Serena et honocentauri".<ref name="leclercq-marx" />}} An English-made Latin bestiary dated 1220–1250 also depicted a group of sirens as mermaids with fishtails swimming in the sea, even though the text stated they resembled winged fowl ({{lang|la|volatilis habet figuram}}) down to their feet.{{Refn|Oxford, MS Bodley 764, fol. 74v.<ref name="Bodl764"/>{{sfnp|Hardwick|2011|p=92}}<ref>{{harvp|Holford-Strevens|2006|pp=31–32}}, Fig. 1.4</ref><ref name="bodley764-tr-barber"/>}}{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|There is another entry for "siren", as a winged white serpent of Arabia.{{sfnp|Barber tr.|1993|p=150}}}}

Illustrating the siren as a pure mermaid became commonplace in the "second family" bestiaries, and she was shown holding a musical instrument in the classical tradition, but also sometimes holding apparently an [[eel]]-fish.{{sfnp|Clark|2006|loc=p. 57 and n50}} An example of the siren-mermaid holding such a fish is found in one of the earlier codices in this group, dated the late 12th century.{{efn|Brit. Lib. Add. 11283, late 12c., {{harvp|Clark|2006|p=21}}, fol. 20v{{sfnp|Clark|2006|loc=p. 52 and Fig. 20}}<ref name="BL-Add11283"/>}}{{sfnp|Druce|1915|loc=pp. 174–175, Pl. X, No. 2}}

;As bird-like
A counterexample is also given where the illustrated sirens (group of three) are bird-like, conforming to the text.{{Refn|Oxford, MS Bodley 602, fol. 10r. 12th century.<ref>{{harvp|Holford-Strevens|2006|pp=31–32}}, Fig. 1.3</ref><!--Unsourced comment: but the siren at left here has an elongated lower trunk more fishlike than bird, and webbed feet.-->}}

;As hybrid
The siren was sometimes drawn as a hybrid with a human torso, a fish-like lower body, and bird-like wings and feet.<ref>Harley 3244, and others MSS.; {{harvp|Clark|2006|p=21}}</ref><ref>Cambridge University Library, MS Ii. 4. 26, fol. 39r. {{harvp|Holford-Strevens|2006|pp=33–34}}</ref> While in the Harley 3244 (cf. fig. top right) the wings sprout from around the shoulders, in other hybrid types, the style places the siren's wings "hanging at the waist".<!--Greek art often depicts a siren's bird parts completely at or below waist -->{{Refn|Cambridge University Library Ii.4.26, fol. 39v.<ref>{{harvp|Holford-Strevens|2006|p=33}}, Fig. 1.5</ref>}}{{Refn|Compare Northumberland bestiary (Getty MS 100)<ref name="Getty-MS100-ex-Alnwick"/> (olim Alnwick bestiary, [[Alnwick Castle]] MS 447). Comment of "webbed feet" in the two examples{{sfnp|George|Yapp|1991|p=99}} seems false for the CUL ms., while "webbed feet of an aquatic animal" is corroborated for the Northumberland bestiary.<ref name="tandjung"/>}}

;Comb and mirror

Also, a siren may be holding a comb,{{sfnp|George|Yapp|1991|p=99}}{{Refn|Or there may be three sirens drawn, two holding fish and third a mirror, as in Getty MS. 100 (olim Alnwick ms.)<ref name="Getty-MS100-ex-Alnwick"/>{{sfnp|George|Yapp|1991|p=99}} A similar composition occurs on the Morgan M.81,<ref name="Morgan-M.81"/> cf. fig. right.}} or a mirror.{{Refn|British Library Ms. Royal 2.B.Vii, fol. 96v.{{sfnp|George|Yapp|1991|p=99}}<ref name="BL-Roy2.B.vii-catalog"/>}}

Thus the comb and mirror, which are now emblematic of mermaids across Europe, derive from the bestiaries that describe the siren as a vain creature requiring those accoutrements.{{sfnp|Waugh|1960|p=77}}<ref name="chunko-dominguez">{{cite book|last=Chunko-Dominguez|first=Betsy |author-link=<!--Betsy Chunko-Dominguez--> |title=English Gothic Misericord Carvings: History from the Bottom Up |publisher=BRILL |date=2017 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jo1ZDgAAQBAJ&pg=PA82 |pages=82–84 |isbn=<!--900434120X, --> 9789004341203}}</ref>