Hermes, the Greek God of commerce, thieves, travelers, and sports is associated with several animals. However, one bird in particular is closely linked to Hermes – the rooster.
According to Greek mythology, Hermes was born in a cave on Mount Cyllene in Arcadia. On the day of his birth, he sneaked out of his crib and went on an adventure.
During his journey, he came across a tortoise and killed it. He then used its shell to create the first lyre.
As he played music on his new instrument, a group of gods approached him. Among the gods was Apollo, who was impressed by Hermes’ talent.
Apollo offered him an exchange – his golden staff for the lyre. Hermes agreed and received the staff.
The rooster became associated with Hermes due to this encounter with Apollo. In Greek mythology, roosters were considered sacred birds of Apollo because they would announce the arrival of dawn with their crowing. The story goes that after Hermes gave up his lyre to Apollo, he saw a group of roosters nearby and decided to steal them as compensation for losing his instrument.
Hermes’ association with the rooster became more widespread later in Greek history. It is said that during battles or difficult situations, soldiers would call upon Hermes for aid by offering sacrifices to him that included a live rooster.
The rooster also became a symbol of vigilance and watchfulness due to its crowing at dawn. This made it an apt animal for Hermes as he was considered the messenger god who delivered messages between mortals and gods.
In art depicting Hermes, you can often see him holding a caduceus (a winged staff) while wearing winged sandals and a petasos (a hat with wings). Sometimes a rooster can be seen alongside him as well.
In conclusion, while there are several animals associated with Hermes in Greek mythology, the rooster is the one that holds the closest connection. Its association with Apollo and its symbolism of vigilance and watchfulness make it a fitting animal for the messenger god.
7 Related Question Answers Found
When thinking of the Greek god Hermes, it’s hard not to picture the messenger god with his winged sandals and cap. But did you know that several birds are also associated with him? Let’s take a look at some of the birds that have been linked to Hermes in Greek mythology.
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