In Polish culture, syrena refers to the mythical mermaid figure that has become the defining emblem of Warsaw, appearing on the city's coat of arms and in numerous sculptures and visual representations throughout the capital. Far more than a decorative symbol, the Warsaw Mermaid (Syrenka Warszawska) represents a powerful embodiment of the city's identity, resilience, and historical experience.

According to various legends dating back to medieval times, the mermaid was either a creature who decided to remain in Warsaw after swimming up the Vistula River, or the sister of Copenhagen's Little Mermaid who swam to Warsaw through connecting waters. Most versions of the tale describe how she was initially captured by a merchant but freed by local fishermen, after which she promised to defend the city and its people—explaining her traditional depiction armed with a sword and shield.

The mermaid's image has evolved with Warsaw's history; during the city's post-WWII reconstruction following near-total destruction by Nazi forces, the Syrenka became a potent symbol of Warsaw's indomitable spirit and ability to rise from ruins. Today, the most famous physical representation stands in Warsaw's Old Town Square, created by sculptor Konstanty Hegel in 1855.

In contemporary artistic interpretations, such as Aleksandra Waliszewska's mural based on Pablo Picasso's 1948 drawing, the mermaid continues to evolve while maintaining her essential symbolic function. Picasso created his version during the 1948 World Congress of Intellectuals for Peace in Wrocław, Poland, connecting Warsaw's local mythology to international artistic dialogue.

The enduring presence of the Syrenka in Warsaw's urban landscape demonstrates how mythological figures can become central to civic identity, evolving while maintaining continuity with historical tradition.