The Legend of the Siren (The Original Mermaid)

For centuries, the vast majority of our planet was undiscovered.  Daring explorers would add on little pieces to the map over decades of exploration and excursion.  What would happen if a ship sailed to far into uncharted waters?  Would it meet unstoppable winds and seas?  Would great creatures of the deep devour the ship whole?  Would they fall off the edge of the world?

These uncharted waters were often marked on maps with symbols of sea creatures warning the over-daring explorer.  These images gave way to legends, such as that of mermaids, or sirens, as they were called.

Sirens were said to be human-like creatures that dwelled in the depths of the ocean.  Long fishlike tails from the waste down, but human from the waist up, sailors warned they were irresistibly beautiful to any man, no matter how mentally fortified or seasoned a sailor.  Sirens would attract a sailor’s attention with their looks, and then begin to serenade them with the most charming of voices, luring the sailor closer, and closer, until eventually it was too late.  The siren would grab their prey and drag them to the depths, never to be seen again.

Today, we know mermaids to be mythical, but nonetheless, their legends have been found throughout various cultures over the centuries.  From ancient civilizations to that of European explorers, and even making their way to the Americas.

La Sirena is one of the cards featured in Loteria, or “Mexican Bingo”.  A fun traditional twist, the caller of Loteria gives a riddle out and that the players must then accurately solve to mark their bingo cards.  La Sirena’s riddle is “Con los cantos de sirena no te vayas a marear” translating to, “Don’t get dizzy with the songs of the mermaid”.

We feature La Sirena on a variety of our products.  Originally on one of our signature guayaberas found here:  https://americanduke.com/products/la-sirena-guayabera?_pos=2&_sid=1f99d6f6b&_ss=r

And now on a patch cap found here:  https://americanduke.com/products/la-sirena-patch-cap?_pos=3&_sid=1f99d6f6b&_ss=r

As well as a bandana:  https://americanduke.com/products/bandana-sirens?_pos=1&_sid=1f99d6f6b&_ss=r