The Underworld has always been a topic of fascination for many cultures. From Greek mythology to modern-day pop culture, the idea of the afterlife and what happens to our souls has captivated human imagination for centuries. One of the most common beliefs is that the god Hermes guides souls to the Underworld after death.
Who is Hermes?
In Greek mythology, Hermes is known as the messenger of the gods. He was also the god of commerce, thieves, and travelers.
Hermes was often depicted wearing winged sandals and a caduceus, which was a staff with two snakes wrapped around it. It is said that he could move freely between the mortal world and the realm of gods.
The Role of Hermes in Greek Mythology
In Greek mythology, it is believed that when a person died, their soul would be guided to the Underworld by Hermes. He would lead them across the River Styx and into Hades’ realm. However, this belief was not universal in all ancient Greek cultures.
According to some myths, it was Charon who guided souls across the River Styx into Hades’ realm. Charon was a ferryman who transported souls across the river in exchange for payment in the form of a coin placed on their mouth by their loved ones before burial.
Other Beliefs About Soul Guidance
While many ancient cultures believed that gods or supernatural beings guided souls to their afterlife destination, other beliefs exist around the world. For example, in Egyptian mythology, it was believed that Anubis would guide souls through a series of tests before being led into Duat -the Egyptian underworld.
Similarly, in Hinduism, it is believed that Yama -the god of death- will judge each soul based on their Karma before sending them to either Swarga (heaven) or Naraka (hell). In Buddhism too there are beliefs about bardo states, which are the intermediate states between death and rebirth.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the belief that Hermes guides souls to the Underworld is a common one in Greek mythology. As a messenger of the gods, he was seen as a natural choice for this role.
However, beliefs about soul guidance vary across different cultures and religions. Whether it is Hermes, Charon, Anubis or Yama -the idea of being guided into the afterlife by supernatural beings has always been an intriguing one for humans throughout history.