The Syrenka, or Mermaid of Warsaw, stands as one of Poland's most enduring and recognisable mythological symbols, serving as the official emblem of Poland's capital city since at least the 14th century. Featured prominently on Warsaw's coat of arms and commemorated in statues, murals, and other public artworks throughout the city, this half-woman, half-fish figure embodies Warsaw's identity, resilience, and historical experience.

According to various legends that developed over centuries, the mermaid originally swam from the Baltic Sea into the Vistula River, where she chose to remain, enchanted by the beauty of the landscape and the river's course. Different versions of the tale describe how she was initially captured by a merchant but freed by local fishermen, after which she promised to guard the city and its people—explaining her traditional depiction with sword and shield, ready to defend Warsaw from threats.

The Syrenka's symbolic significance has evolved over time, particularly in the aftermath of World War II, when approximately 85% of Warsaw was systematically destroyed by Nazi forces. During the city's post-war reconstruction, the mermaid became a powerful symbol of Warsaw's indomitable spirit and capacity for renewal, its continuing presence representing historical continuity despite catastrophic destruction.

Today, the most famous physical representation of the Syrenka stands in Warsaw's Old Town Square, a bronze statue created by sculptor Konstanty Hegel in 1855. However, the symbol appears in countless variations throughout the city, from official municipal buildings to street art, consumer products, and corporate logos, demonstrating its flexible adaptability to different contexts while maintaining its essential character.

The enduring presence of the Warsaw Mermaid in the city's visual identity exemplifies how mythological figures can become integral to civic self-understanding, evolving over centuries while providing a sense of continuity and distinctiveness in the face of historical challenges.