Hermes is undoubtedly one of the most popular and widely recognized Olympian gods, but did you know that he was also known by various other names? In this article, we will explore the different names given to Hermes in different cultures and mythologies.
The Greek God Hermes
In Greek mythology, Hermes was the son of Zeus and Maia. He was a messenger god who could travel freely between the mortal world and the divine realm. The Greeks knew him by several names, including:
- Mercury: In Roman mythology, Hermes was known as Mercury. He was also a messenger god and had similar attributes to Hermes.
- Argeiphontes: This name means “the slayer of Argus.” According to Greek mythology, Hermes killed Argus, a giant with 100 eyes who was guarding Io on Hera’s orders.
- Cyllenius: This name comes from Cyllene, a mountain in Arcadia where Hermes was born.
The Egyptian God Thoth
In Egyptian mythology, Thoth was the god of wisdom and writing. He was often depicted with the head of an ibis bird or as a baboon.
Thoth shared many attributes with Hermes, including being a messenger god and having knowledge of magic. Some even believe that Thoth and Hermes were the same deity worshiped in different cultures.
The Norse God Odin
Odin was one of the most important gods in Norse mythology. He ruled over Asgard and had many roles, including being a god of war, death, wisdom, poetry, and magic. Like Hermes, Odin could travel between worlds and acted as a messenger between gods and mortals.
The Hindu God Mercury
In Hindu mythology, Mercury was known as Budha. He was the god of communication, commerce, and science. Like Hermes, he was also a messenger god and had the ability to move between different worlds.
The Mayan God Kukulkan
Kukulkan was the feathered serpent god of the Mayans. He was associated with wind and water and was considered a powerful deity who could control the elements. Some believe that Kukulkan’s attributes are similar to those of Hermes because he could travel freely between different worlds and communicate with both gods and mortals.
Conclusion
Hermes is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating gods in mythology, and his attributes can be found in many other deities across different cultures. Whether you know him as Mercury, Thoth, Odin, Budha or Kukulkan, one thing is certain: Hermes remains an iconic figure whose legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.