Mercury is the Roman name of the Greek god Hermes and was considered to be the son of Jupiter and Maia. He is the Roman god of commerce, travelers, and thieves. Mercury is also the messenger of the gods. He is represented with winged feet and a caduceus.
Mercury was born in a cave on Mount Cyllene. He has a reputation for being deceptive, but he is usually thought of as clever and helpful to mankind.
In Greek mythology, Mercury (Hermes) was one of the twelve Olympians; son of Zeus and Maia, brother of Apollo and Dione (or Aphrodite). As a messenger of the gods, he traverses heaven each night in his chariot drawn by two immortal steeds, Árténdos (“Swift One”) and Ástron (“Starry”).
Mercury is a very old god. His earliest known mention dates from the 14th century BCE, in an inscription from Ugarit (in modern-day Syria). There he was known as Haddad, who was probably associated with fertility. In later times he was associated with Hermes, whom the Greeks identified as their own messenger god.
Mercury is a clever and crafty god, though he is also known for being cunning, clever, wise. He is a skilled orator and negotiator. Mercury is quick-witted and cunning. The Romans believed that he had control over all forms of communication including speech, writing, and the printed word.
Mercury symbolizes communication, business, travel, negotiation, trickery, and theft. His symbols include the caduceus, the winged sandals, and a ram’s-headed staff.
