hermes

Hermes is a figure in ancient Greek religion and mythology, regarded as the messenger of the gods and as a divine broker of many human concerns. He is a son of Zeus and Maia, born in a cave on Mount Cyllene in Arcadia. Hermes serves as a psychopomp, guiding souls to the underworld, and is also associated with commerce, travel, boundaries, invention, and trickery.

In myth, Hermes is known for his quick wit and resourcefulness. Shortly after birth, he is said to have stolen Apollo’s sacred cattle, but he quickly reconciles with his brother through charm and the gift of the lyre, which he invented from a tortoise shell. Zeus, impressed by his cleverness, assigns him the role of messenger to the gods and grants him various privileges. Hermes is commonly depicted with winged sandals, a winged hat, and the caduceus, a staff entwined with snakes, symbols of his speed and his function as a mediator between realms.

Hermes was worshipped throughout the Greek world, and his Roman counterpart is Mercury. In later antiquity, the figure Hermes Trismegistus appears in Hellenistic and Egyptian contexts, attributed with a body of writings that gave rise to Hermeticism, an esoteric tradition focusing on alchemy, astrology, and magic. This later tradition is distinct from the mythological Hermes but draws on his motifs as a messenger and guide between mortal and divine knowledge.

In art and literature, Hermes is typically portrayed as a youthful, agile deity, emblematic of communication, wit, and travel, frequently identified by his winged sandals and caduceus.