trident

A trident is a three-pronged spear used historically as a fishing tool and a weapon. The shaft is typically straight and may be made of wood or metal, with three tines arranged around a central tine. Variants range from handheld implements to longer pole-mounted forms used by fishermen or as ceremonial objects.

Etymology traces the word to Latin tridens, from tri- meaning “three” and dens meaning “tooth,” with the term entering English through Old French. The name emphasizes the three-pointed head characteristic of the instrument.

In classical antiquity, the trident is most closely associated with sea deities such as Poseidon in Greek mythology and Neptune in Roman myth, who are often depicted wielding a trident capable of stirring or calming the seas. In Hinduism, the trishula is a three-pronged symbol linked to Shiva and representing various triads such as creation, preservation, and destruction. Beyond myth, tridents were used practically for fishing and occasionally as ceremonial or symbolic weapons in various cultures.

Today, the trident appears in heraldry, emblems, and logos to signify the sea, maritime power, or strength. It is also used as a decorative motif in art and architecture and appears in popular culture as a symbol with various associations. While the form remains primarily a three-pronged spear, modern depictions emphasize its symbolic rather than tactical function.