Hermes was not only one of the main gods of mythology; his stories also showcased his sense of humor. These tales also highlighted his ability to trick mortals.
He was famous for both being a herald and as a pschopompos (one who leads souls into Hades), creating the lyre. Additionally, he fathered numerous mortal and immortal offspring.
Characteristics
Hermes or Mercury, is a Greek messenger god associated with communication and travel. He acts as the intermediary between divine messages from gods to humans as well as being their protector, while flying between heaven and earth and underneath oceans. Hermes also has another role: healing prophecy as well as communication: communicating mortal messages via his Delphi oracle while sharing news among himself as god.
Hermes, as the god of communication and messenger messengers, is often perceived as being both mischievous and dishonest. His swift nature – as symbolized by his winged sandals – often take people by surprise while swiftly altering plans; yet he remains reliable and honest.
Hermes was the son of Zeus and Maia, thus making him part of an influential and potent family. Among his offspring are Artemis (half-sister) – goddess of childbirth who shared Hermes’ passion for hunting; Apollo (half-brother) – god of music, prophecy, healing; Hermaphroditus – deity who combined both masculine and feminine characteristics into one being;
Hermes married the nymph Dryope and gave birth to Hermaphroditus as a result. From this union came Hermes’ ability to connect with plants and animals while learning musical harmonies from his father; Hermaphroditus later associated himself with Peitho (Roman god of seduction and pleasure), another god associated with seduction and persuasion.
Hermes was often depicted wearing winged sandals and carrying the caduceus, a herald’s staff with two snakes entwined around its shaft. Romans adopted his image along with his mythology; they called him Mercurius. Mercurius served as god of business and commerce for Roman mythology, replacing earlier Dei Lucre gods of trade; his association with speed can still be found today through words such as “mercurial” and “mercantile”.
Symbolism
Mercury is the fastest planet in our solar system. It takes only 88 days for one orbital journey around it – meaning it travels quickly from morning to night and back again – which explains why ancient Greeks associated this celestial body with Hermes as the messenger god of the universe. He was also revered as an Olympian god of herds and flocks, travellers, hospitality, roads and trade, athletic contests and gymnasiums, athletic contests/gymnasiums/thievery/cunning as well as heralds/diplomacy – often depicted wearing winged sandals herald hat or travelling cap called petasos while carrying a caduceus staff in his hand.
Hermes, known as the herald of the gods, often wears the symbolism of a rooster to signal new beginnings as his emblem and icon. Rams or goats representing fertility also often accompany him – with Hera, Aphrodite and Hebe being among his lovers – while he himself also holds great power in Hades’ realm where souls go when entering it.
Hermes was one of Zeus and Maia, daughter of Atlas. His half-brother Apollo, the divine musician and oracle at Delphi, shared in music and prophecy but their relationship was more about camaraderie rather than rivalry; while Hermes provided guidance during journeys and transitions.
Hermes and Mercury represent the messenger archetype, reflecting our inherent need for connection and dialogue. Carl Jung suggested that certain symbols and figures like Hermes and Mercury appear throughout history in various mythologies as universal representations that reflect aspects of human experience.
Hermes and Mercury represent our divine connections while remaining approachable, helping to bridge the divide between our daily lives and that of the gods. Furthermore, Hermes represents how to manage life’s challenges: death and birth, wealth and poverty, war and peace, love and hatred etc.
Origins
Mercury’s origins remain obscure. While some scholars speculate he is the offspring of Jupiter and Maia, others consider he could have been born from Caelus (God of Sky) and Dies (Death), or both! Additionally, his name can often be confused as being either Hermes in Greek or Mercury in Latin!
As with Hermes of Roman mythology, Mercury carried messages between Gods and people while being the patron god of travel and communication. Symbols associated with him included winged sandals and winged helmets to denote his speed while often depicted carrying either a staff or purse to symbolize his role as commerce god.
Mercury, also known as the morning or evening star, can often be seen moving quickly across the sky from east to west and back again. Ancient cultures knew this phenomenon was caused by his rapid orbit; ancient peoples also knew he was one of the fastest moving planets, hence giving rise to various names for him such as Artaios (from Celtic goddess Artemis); Mercurius Avernus (god of Averni tribe); Mercurius Moccus (Celtic god for boar hunting).
Mercury seems to have become part of different cultures after Roman conquest, thus giving him many epithets from various religions. He was particularly revered in Greece where his name was Hermes.
Hermes was one of the Olympian gods best known for being clever. As messenger of other Olympian deities, Hermes also served shepherds and herders while being patron to languages, translation, interpretation, wealth, good fortune, travel communication and even theft – skills he ruled over with expertise! Perhaps most significantly of all gods, he knew how to keep things moving smoothly even in a world that often seemed stagnant.
Hermes is most well known for reviving mortal Psyche after she had been killed at Troy; taking Zeus’ message to Pluto so Perserpina could be freed; and accompanying Heracles back up Mount Olympus so he could marry mortal Psyche; Hermes was seen as the god who broke static patterns to move the story along. He is considered an original trickster god who breaks up static narrative patterns by interrupting static story arcs and propelling plot forwards.
Functions
Hermes (Greek: Herakleos) is one of the most versatile gods in Greek mythology. He is associated with travel, roads and messages as well as theft, sleight of hand and bribery; as a patron of athletic youth and gymnastics he gave Pandora her voice; in Greek mythology he also served as shepherd/herdsman and thus became god of grazing animals.
Hermes played an invaluable role in the lives of Hercules and Odysseus alike. He provided them with herbs to aid them against Circe’s magic while aiding Heracles’ labors in the Underworld as well as Hercules’ desire for revenge against Medusa. Hermes served as messenger between realms.
Even with his many roles, Hermes remains a playful god who delights in playing tricks on those he encounters. As the god of shepherds and thieves – as well as an expert runner known for quickly transporting goods quickly – Hermes often engages in amusingly antic acts against his foes, such as killing Hippolytus during the War with Giants or singing away Argus to sleep! In Greek mythology Hermes often appears as the protagonist. For example in killing Hippolytus during War with Giants or singing away Argus with song. Hermes even kills giant Hippolytus during War with Giants or singing away his foes through numerous Greek myths; including killing Hippolytus while singing him to sleep while singing itself sleep over its former foes! Hermes can often be found as the hero; in various Greek myths his heroes appear like this!
Roman mythology describes Hermes as becoming Mercury, the god of trade and commerce, through his relationship to luck, wit and poetry. Both figures carry caduceus staffs with two snakes intertwined as symbols of good luck and fortune.
Hermes serves as both messenger and herald between mortal and divine worlds, communicating Zeus’ messages freely between dimensions – which explains his title of Herald of the Gods (Angelos Athanaton). Mercury travels between heavens and earth but must first seek permission before entering another god’s domain – making him the patron god for communication between realms.