What Bird Represents Hermes?

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Hermes, the Greek god of commerce, theft, travelers, and shepherds, is often associated with a bird that represents his divine characteristics. This bird has been an important symbol in Greek mythology and continues to be revered by many.

The bird that represents Hermes is the Ibis. The Ibis is a long-legged wading bird with a distinctive curved beak.

In ancient Greece, the Ibis was considered sacred to Hermes because of its ability to fly high and see far. The Ibis was also known for its sharp eyesight and keen observation skills, which were attributes shared by Hermes.

The association between Hermes and the Ibis can be traced back to ancient Egypt. In Egyptian mythology, Thoth – the god of wisdom and writing – was often depicted as an Ibis or with an Ibis head. Thoth was believed to have brought writing and knowledge to humanity, just as Hermes was regarded as the messenger of the gods who brought knowledge and information to humans.

In Greek mythology, Hermes was often depicted holding a staff with two snakes coiled around it called Caduceus. The Caduceus was a symbol of trade, commerce, and negotiation – all areas that Hermes presided over. The image of Hermes holding this staff became synonymous with his divine powers and authority.

Another important aspect of Hermes’ identity is his role as a messenger between the gods and humans. As such, he was responsible for delivering messages accurately and quickly. This task required great speed and agility – qualities that were embodied by the Ibis.

In conclusion, the Ibis is the bird that represents Hermes in Greek mythology because it embodies many of his divine attributes such as observation skills, keen eyesight, speed, agility, wisdom and knowledge sharing. Through this association with the Ibis, we can gain insight into why Hermes remains one of the most important figures in Greek mythology even today.

Sources:

  • https://www.greekmythology.com/Olympians/Hermes/hermes.html
  • https://www.ancient.eu/Hermes/
  • https://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Hermes.britannica.com/topic/Ibis-mythological-bird

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