Hermes

the messenger of the gods

Hermes carries the messages of Zeus and protects travellers, merchants, orators and thieves.

💡 Did you know? As „guide of souls“ (Psychopomp) he alone leads the dead into the underworld.

winged sandals

With winged sandals and helmet, Hermes moves between the worlds faster than any other god.

💡 Did you know? His speed made him the namesake of many messenger and logistics companies to this day.

the caduceus

The winged herald's staff (caduceus) with two intertwined snakes is his emblem.

💡 Did you know? It is still often used (mistakenly, in fact) as a symbol of medicine.

the lyre

On the very day of his birth Hermes made the first lyre out of a tortoise shell.

💡 Did you know? On the same day he stole Apollo's cattle and made peace by giving him the lyre.

Mercury

For the Romans, Hermes is Mercury, god of commerce and messages.

💡 Did you know? The fastest planet is named after him: Mercury, the swift messenger close to the Sun.

Zeus and the nymph Maia

Hermes is the son of Zeus and the mountain nymph Maia, born in a cave in Arcadia.

💡 Did you know? Even as a newborn he climbed out of his cradle to set off on adventures.

Apollo's cattle

Driven backwards, the tracks cunningly blurred.

💡 Did you know? In reconciliation he gave Apollo the lyre.

the winged cap

The traveller's petasos: winged, of course.

💡 Did you know? Still a classic logo for courier services.

of merchants and thieves

Nimbleness links both trades.

💡 Did you know? A lucky find was called a “hermaion” in Greek.

the herms

Guardians of ways and doors in stone.

💡 Did you know? The mutilation of the herms in 415 BC became a state scandal.

Pan

The goat-footed god of wild nature.

💡 Did you know? In legend, the mother recoiled from the horned child.

from a tortoise shell

Strung with cords of ox gut.

💡 Did you know? While still newborn, on the afternoon of his birth.