Sirens

In Greek mythology, Homer gave the name “sirens” to the sea nymphs who called out from their island to passing ships in mysterious and irresistible beckoning “sirenic” sounds with the intent of luring in any unsuspecting sailors who were traveling nearby on the sea. All who passed by the island where the Nymphs lived and heard their call, would meet their doom. Enticed by the seductive wails, they would land their ships on the island and never be seen again. The trip to the island would be their death.

Once ashore, the intoxicated sailors would never return to family and friends, for they had been captured forever. Lured to that which appealed to strongly to their senses, overcome by their desire to satisfy the appetite stirred within, compelled to follow the sounds that stirred deep in their hearts, they would do anything to get what they now so desperately wanted. Once there, tricked, trapped and shipwrecked, they would inevitably starve. (World Book Encyclopedia, ‘82)