Hermes (3)

Greek name: Ἑρμῆς (Hermēs)

Roman name: Mercury

Parents: Zeus and Maia (one of the Pleiades)

Birth: In a cave on Mount Cyllene

Symbols: Caduceus (staff with snakes), winged sandals, petasos (winged hat), turtle

Famous sons: Pan (god of forests and music), Hermaphroditus

Associated animals: Rooster, turtle, ram

First feat: He stole Apollo's cattle when he was just a baby, and then compensated him by giving him the lyre he himself invented.

Temples and worship: He was worshipped at crossroads, gymnasiums, and as a protector of messengers and merchants

Outstanding personality: Cunning, quick, resourceful, joking, but also helpful and protective

He is one of the most versatile and dynamic gods of the Greek pantheon.

Messenger of the gods

God of commerce and exchanges

Protector of travelers and walkers

God of thieves and liars

Guide of souls to the underworld (psychopomp)

God of eloquence and persuasion

Patron of shepherds and flocks

Inventor and god of cunning and invention

Hermes is often depicted as a handsome, agile, and athletic young man with a lively and cunning expression. He wears a short tunic, ideal for moving quickly, and carries his signature winged petasos (a wide-brimmed hat with wings) and winged sandals (talaria) that allow him to fly. In his hand, he often carries the caduceus, a staff with two intertwined serpents, a symbol of peace and commerce. His gaze is lively, and everything about him conveys lightness, intelligence, and movement.

Hermes is a cunning, eloquent, and witty god, known for his mischievous nature and his ability to move between worlds swiftly and freely. Always curious and a lover of secrets, he delights in jokes and wordplay, making him both a persuasive diplomat and an unpredictable trickster. Despite his free spirit and penchant for rule-breaking, he is also a protector of travelers, merchants, and outcasts, acting as a guide between the divine and the human.