Hermes, the Greek god of commerce, thieves, and travelers, is often depicted wearing a pair of winged sandals. These sandals have become an iconic symbol of the god and have been immortalized in art and literature.
But where did Hermes get his winged sandals? Let’s explore the origin story of this famous footwear.
The Myth of Hermes
According to Greek mythology, Hermes was born to Zeus and Maia, one of the Pleiades. He was a mischievous child who loved to play pranks on his siblings and was known for his quick wit and cunning nature. As he grew older, he became known as the messenger of the gods and had many important duties such as guiding souls to the underworld and delivering messages between the gods.
The Creation of Winged Sandals
It is said that one day while Hermes was out exploring Mount Cyllene in Arcadia, he came across a tortoise. Being the mischievous god that he was, he decided to kill the tortoise and use its shell to create a lyre. He then stretched strings across it made from sheep gut and began playing music on it.
As he was playing his newly created instrument, he noticed two cows grazing nearby. Being hungry, he decided to steal them. But being a god didn’t make him immune from being caught by Apollo’s guards who were tending to the cows at that time.
Hermes managed to sneak past them by putting on the tortoise shell lyre around his neck which made him invisible in their eyes. He then made a quick escape with the cows back to his mother’s cave.
It is believed that while running away with the cows on his feet barefooted , Hermes had an epiphany – what if I could move as fast as my thoughts? And thus began his quest for speed which led him to create the famous winged sandals.
The Magical Properties of Winged Sandals
As the story goes, Hermes created his winged sandals by taking two pairs of sandals and attaching feathers to them with wax. These feathers gave him the ability to fly and move at incredible speeds, making him the fastest god in all of Olympus.
The winged sandals were not just for show. They had many magical properties that helped Hermes in his duties as messenger of the gods. They made him invisible, gave him the power to teleport instantly across great distances, and allowed him to walk on water.
Conclusion
So there you have it – the story of how Hermes got his famous winged sandals. From a mischievous child playing pranks on his siblings to becoming the fastest god in all of Olympus, Hermes is an iconic figure in Greek mythology. His winged sandals have become a symbol of speed, agility, and cunning – qualities that are still admired today.