Intelligence is highly regarded in many cultures. Thoth, the god of knowledge, is attributed with inventing writing. Though often shown with the head of an Ibis, he is also frequently shown with the head of a baboon. While bearing the baboon’s features, he shifts into the role of the mediator between good and evil.
The Siren is known for luring people into unfortunate or dangerous situations.
We combined the two, noticing that both objects shifted between two beings–one a bird with a man, and the other a woman with a sea creature. Sirens are also occasionally portrayed as birds, which was yet another interesting connection.
The story is as old as time. Intelligent man succumbs to the wily charms and tricks of a woman. Of course the man is portrayed as the wise one, the God of knowledge. The woman is cunning. It goes back to the myth of Adam and Eve.
The Siren lured the god of intelligence into a trap. How can this be? How could he, of all the gods, be tricked? This goes against what we know and understand about rational thinking!
What we don’t see is that she wanted his knowledge for herself–to restore balance to the underworld. It turns out that the siren was the true goddess of intelligence.
Shifting is human
We are both good and evil
Striving for balance
