Is Mercury Apollo or Hermes?

Mercury is a planet that orbits the sun and is named after the Roman god of commerce, travel, and thievery. However, it is often confused with two other mythological figures: the Greek god Hermes and the Roman god Apollo.

So, is Mercury Apollo or Hermes? Let’s dive into the similarities and differences between these three deities.

Mercury

Mercury was worshipped by the Romans as the god of commerce, travel, and thievery. He was also associated with messages and communication. In astrology, Mercury governs communication, intellect, and transportation.

Hermes

Hermes was the Greek god of commerce, communication, and trickery. He was also known as a messenger of the gods and was symbolized by his winged sandals. In astrology, Hermes is associated with communication and learning.

Apollo

Apollo was one of the most important gods in Greek mythology. He was considered to be a god of many things including music, poetry, prophecy, medicine, archery, light, and truth. In astrology, Apollo represents creativity and individuality.

Comparing Mercury and Hermes

Mercury is often compared to Hermes because they share many similarities in their roles as gods of commerce and communication. Both gods were depicted wearing winged sandals or boots to symbolize their speed in delivering messages. Additionally, both Mercury and Hermes were considered to be tricksters who used their wit to outsmart others.

However, there are some key differences between Mercury and Hermes. For example:

  • Mercury had more associations with thievery than Hermes did.
  • Hermes had more associations with magic than Mercury did.
  • The Romans viewed Mercury as a more serious god than the Greeks viewed Hermes.

Comparing Mercury and Apollo

Mercury and Apollo are often compared because they both represent different aspects of communication. While Mercury is associated with messages and commerce, Apollo is associated with creativity and individuality.

Some key differences between the two gods include:

  • Apollo was considered to be a more serious god than Mercury.
  • Mercury was associated with thievery while Apollo was associated with truth.
  • Apollo had more associations with music and poetry than Mercury did.

Conclusion

So, is Mercury Apollo or Hermes? The answer is neither.

While all three mythological figures share some similarities in their roles as messengers of the gods, they represent different aspects of communication and have unique associations. It’s important to understand and appreciate the differences between these gods in order to fully appreciate their contributions to mythology and astrology.