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Sigil

Lamia

The Siren

The lamia (also known as Lamina), a captivating figure in Basque mythology, is traditionally depicted as a beautiful woman with a bird, fish, or goat-like lower body. Associated with water and nature, lamias inhabit remote areas like rivers, caves, forests, or sometimes the sea, where they are linked to sirens. Though generally benign, their interactions with humans often carry elements of danger, tension, and tragedy, reflecting their complex nature.

Lamia

The Siren

The lamia (also known as Lamina), a captivating figure in Basque mythology, is traditionally depicted as a beautiful woman with a bird, fish, or goat-like lower body. Associated with water and nature, lamias inhabit remote areas like rivers, caves, forests, or sometimes the sea, where they are linked to sirens. Though generally benign, their interactions with humans often carry elements of danger, tension, and tragedy, reflecting their complex nature.

Lamia

The Siren

The lamia (also known as Lamina), a captivating figure in Basque mythology, is traditionally depicted as a beautiful woman with a bird, fish, or goat-like lower body. Associated with water and nature, lamias inhabit remote areas like rivers, caves, forests, or sometimes the sea, where they are linked to sirens. Though generally benign, their interactions with humans often carry elements of danger, tension, and tragedy, reflecting their complex nature.

Lamia

The Siren

The lamia (also known as Lamina), a captivating figure in Basque mythology, is traditionally depicted as a beautiful woman with a bird, fish, or goat-like lower body. Associated with water and nature, lamias inhabit remote areas like rivers, caves, forests, or sometimes the sea, where they are linked to sirens. Though generally benign, their interactions with humans often carry elements of danger, tension, and tragedy, reflecting their complex nature.

Lamia

The Siren

The lamia (also known as Lamina), a captivating figure in Basque mythology, is traditionally depicted as a beautiful woman with a bird, fish, or goat-like lower body. Associated with water and nature, lamias inhabit remote areas like rivers, caves, forests, or sometimes the sea, where they are linked to sirens. Though generally benign, their interactions with humans often carry elements of danger, tension, and tragedy, reflecting their complex nature.

In modern interpretations, the lamia has evolved into a symbol of wild, untamed nature, often portrayed as a guardian of the environment.

Contemporary depictions highlight her dual nature—both nurturing and destructive—symbolizing feminine power, independence, and the mystical aspects of nature.

These portrayals frequently incorporate ecological and feminist themes, reimagining the lamia as a figure of resistance against environmental degradation and patriarchal norms.

In my design, I’ve reimagined the lamia as a Black woman with an underlying sea pirate/corsair theme, inspired by my background as a "Kostalde" (a Basque from the coastline, where life revolves around the ocean and fishermen’s tales).

This challenges traditional beauty standards and celebrates diversity, reflecting the inclusive spirit of Basque culture, where being "Euskaldun" (literally "one who speaks Basque") represents a deep connection between language and identity.

I believe that for mythology to remain alive, it must be continually reinvented to speak to everyone, much like in traditional Ihauteriak (carnivals) in Basque culture, where creativity is key.

By highlighting a minority figure, I aim to emphasize the values of inclusivity and diversity that are embedded in the very core of the Basque language, alongside its matriarchal heritage.

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