Messenger of the gods, guide of travellers and souls, patron of merchants, thieves and clever minds – Hermes was the fastest and most cunning of the Olympians. Here are his myths and the meaning of his winged sandals and caduceus.
Who is Hermes?
Hermes is the Greek god of messengers, travel, trade, roads, boundaries, luck, eloquence and trickery, and the guide who leads the souls of the dead to the underworld. Son of Zeus and the nymph Maia, he was one of the twelve Olympians. The Romans called him Mercury.
In art Hermes is a lithe young man wearing winged sandals (talaria) and a winged travelling hat (petasos), carrying the caduceus – a herald's staff entwined with two serpents. Giambologna's Flying Mercury, balanced on one foot on a gust of wind, is one of the most copied sculptures in the world.
A remarkable first day
Hermes was born at dawn in a cave on Mount Kyllene in Arcadia. By midday he had climbed out of his cradle, found a tortoise and made from its shell the first lyre. By evening he had travelled to Pieria and stolen fifty cattle from his half-brother Apollo, making them walk backwards to confuse their tracks, and wearing sandals of twigs to hide his own. Then he slipped back into his cradle as if nothing had happened.
Apollo was furious and brought the baby before Zeus, who laughed at the child's clever excuses. To make peace, Hermes played the lyre for Apollo, who was so enchanted that he traded the cattle for it. The two became close friends, and Apollo gave Hermes his golden staff, which became the caduceus.
Messenger and guide
Zeus made Hermes the herald of the gods, carrying messages between Olympus, the earth and the underworld faster than any other being. He guided travellers and protected roads – stone pillars called herms stood at crossroads and doorways throughout Greece. He also accompanied the souls of the dead to the river Styx, and helped heroes: he gave Perseus his winged sandals, led Odysseus to the herb that protected him from Circe's magic, and freed Io by slaying the hundred-eyed Argus.
Patron of commerce and wit
As god of trade, luck and persuasion, Hermes was the patron of merchants, orators and – with a wink – thieves. His quick mind and silver tongue made him the god of communication itself; words such as "hermeneutics" (the art of interpretation) and "mercurial" (quick and changeable) come from his Greek and Roman names.
Hermes in art and in your home
Hermes symbolises speed, communication, travel and success in business, which makes his statue a popular piece for offices and shops and a great gift for entrepreneurs, salespeople, travellers and new graduates. Look for the classic Flying Mercury pose for elegance and movement, or a seated or standing Hermes with caduceus and winged hat for a desk or bookshelf.
Related gods
Read the stories of his father Zeus and his half-brother Apollo, and of Hades, to whose realm he guided the dead. Browse all the Olympians in our Greek Mythology collection.
