Have you ever wondered about the realm of Hermes? For those who are not familiar, Hermes is a Greek god associated with many things, including messenger and communication.
But what realm does he belong to? Let’s delve into this topic further.
Who is Hermes?
Before we dive into the realm of Hermes, let’s first explore who he is. As mentioned earlier, Hermes is a Greek god.
He is the son of Zeus and Maia, one of the seven Pleiades. In Greek mythology, he is known as a messenger of the gods and also the patron of travelers, merchants, and thieves.
The Realm of Hermes
To understand the realm of Hermes better, we need to look at Greek mythology’s concept of realms or domains. In ancient Greece, there were three realms or domains: heaven (sky), sea (water), and underworld (earth). Each god or goddess belonged to one of these realms.
Hermes belongs to the heaven or sky domain. He was one of the twelve Olympian gods and goddesses who resided on Mount Olympus in Greece. The sky domain was associated with power and majesty since it was where Zeus ruled as king of all gods.
Hermes’ Role in His Realm
As a messenger god, Hermes had many responsibilities in his heavenly realm. He was responsible for carrying messages from Mount Olympus to other gods and goddesses as well as humans on earth. He was also known for his cunningness and quick-thinking abilities that made him an excellent messenger.
Apart from his role as a messenger, he played an essential role in guiding souls to the underworld after death. This responsibility earned him another title – Psychopompus (soul-guide). It was believed that during funerals or after someone passed away peacefully in their sleep; he would guide their souls to Charon (ferryman) to take them across the river Styx.
Hermes’ Influence Beyond His Realm
Hermes’ influence was not restricted to his domain alone. He was also known for his association with commerce, trade, and thieves.
As the patron of merchants and traders, he was responsible for protecting their interests. In contrast, his association with thieves came from his reputation as a trickster and a thief himself when he stole Apollo’s cattle on the day of his birth.
The Legacy of Hermes
Hermes’ legacy continues to this day, even beyond Greek mythology. Many businesses and organizations today still use Hermes as a symbol of speed, communication, and commerce. The medical symbol of Caduceus – two snakes wrapped around a staff – is also associated with Hermes because it was believed that he had healing powers.
In conclusion, we can say that Hermes belongs to the sky or heaven domain in Greek mythology. As the messenger god, he played an essential role in carrying messages between gods and humans.
But his influence goes beyond his domain as he was also associated with commerce, trade, and thieves. His legacy continues to this day in various aspects of our lives.