Have you ever wondered if Hermes, the Greek god of commerce and messenger of the gods, has other names? The answer is yes!
In fact, many cultures around the world have their own versions of Hermes with different names and characteristics. Let’s take a closer look at some of these variations.
Mercury – The Roman Version
The Roman equivalent of Hermes is Mercury. Like Hermes, he is also associated with commerce, communication, and travel. However, unlike Hermes who is depicted with wings on his sandals and a caduceus in his hand, Mercury is shown wearing a winged hat and holding a caduceus as well as a purse or moneybag.
Thoth – The Egyptian Version
In ancient Egyptian mythology, Thoth was the god of wisdom, writing, and magic. He was often depicted with the head of an ibis bird or as a baboon. Thoth was also considered to be the inventor of hieroglyphic writing and the patron of scribes.
Anubis – The Egyptian Version
In some accounts, Anubis is also considered to be an alternative version of Hermes. Anubis was the god of embalming and funeral rites in ancient Egypt. He was usually depicted as a man with the head of a jackal.
Ganesha – The Hindu Version
Ganesha is one of the most popular gods in Hinduism. He is known as the remover of obstacles and god of new beginnings. Ganesha is often depicted with an elephant head and a potbelly but also has four arms that hold various objects like sweets, an axe, or lotus flowers.
Eshu – The Yoruba Version
Eshu is a trickster god in Yoruba mythology who acts as both a messenger between humans and the gods, and as a mediator between different deities. He is often depicted as a young man wearing a hat adorned with cowrie shells or as an old man with a cane.
Merkur – The Germanic Version
In Germanic mythology, Merkur (or Odin) was the god of wisdom, war, and death. He was also known for his ability to communicate with the dead. Merkur was depicted as an older man with a long beard and one eye.
Kokopelli – The Native American Version
Kokopelli was a fertility god in Native American mythology who was also considered to be a messenger of the gods. He is often depicted playing a flute while dancing or traveling. Kokopelli is also associated with agriculture, music, and storytelling.
Conclusion
As you can see, Hermes has many versions across different cultures around the world. Each version has its own unique characteristics but all share some common traits such as being messengers of the gods and associated with commerce, travel, or communication. It’s fascinating to see how different cultures interpret similar ideas in their own ways!