What Two Things Are Sacred to Hermes?

When it comes to the Greek gods, Hermes is one of the most interesting. He’s the god of commerce, thieves, and travelers, and he’s often depicted as a trickster figure. But there are two things that are particularly sacred to Hermes, and they reveal a lot about his character.

The First Sacred Thing: The Caduceus

The first sacred thing to Hermes is the caduceus. This is a symbol that you’ve probably seen before – it’s a staff with two serpents wrapped around it.

In Greek mythology, Hermes used the caduceus as a tool for bringing peace and resolving disputes. It was also said to have magical powers – for example, if Hermes touched someone with the caduceus, they would fall asleep instantly.

But why is the caduceus so important to Hermes? One theory is that it represents his role as a mediator between different worlds.

In Greek mythology, Hermes was often called upon to act as an intermediary between gods and mortals, or between different factions of gods. The two serpents on the caduceus might represent these different groups that needed to be brought together.

The Second Sacred Thing: The Tortoise

The second sacred thing to Hermes is the tortoise. This might seem like an odd choice – after all, what could be special about a slow-moving reptile? But in Greek mythology, the tortoise had a special significance.

According to one myth, Hermes was walking along one day when he saw a tortoise crawling along the ground. He picked up the tortoise and killed it (not exactly an admirable act). But then he took its shell and turned it into a lyre – an instrument used for music.

This story reveals something important about Hermes’ character: his creativity and resourcefulness. He was able to take something seemingly mundane (a tortoise) and turn it into something beautiful and useful (a musical instrument). This is a quality that was highly valued in Greek culture, and it’s one of the reasons why Hermes was so revered.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the two things that are sacred to Hermes – the caduceus and the tortoise – reveal a lot about his character. The caduceus represents his role as a mediator between different worlds, while the tortoise represents his creativity and resourcefulness. These are qualities that are still admired today, and they help to make Hermes one of the most fascinating figures in Greek mythology.