The Mermaid of Warsaw (Polish: Syrenka Warszawska) is a symbol of Warsaw, represented on the city's coat of arms as well as in a number of statues and other imagery.
Etymology
Polish syrenka is cognate with siren, but she is more properly a fresh-water mermaid called melusina. The common English translation, in any case, is neither siren nor melusina but mermaid.
Origin
A creature was on Warsaw's coat of arms in 1390. It showed an animal with bird's legs and a torso covered with dragon scales. The seal of 1459 had feminine characteristics, a bird torso, human hands, a fish tail, and bird legs and claws. The first presentation of a mermaid dates from 1622.
The inspiration for the coat of arms was probably derived from the 2nd century book Physiologus.
The legend of the Warsaw mermaid
There are several legends about mermaid. The City's literature and tour guides say the mermaid decided to stay after stopping on a riverbank near the Old Town.
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