Mercury (mythology) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mercury |
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| God of commerce, eloquence, messages, communication, travelers, boundaries, luck, trickery, financial gain, merchants, thieves | |
| Member of the Dii Consentes | |
Seated Hermes, a famous statue found at the Villa of the Papyri.
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| Planet | Mercury |
| Symbol | Caduceus, winged sandals, winged hat, tortoise, ram and rooster |
| Day | Wednesday (dies Mercurii) |
| Personal information | |
| Consort | Larunda |
| Children | Lares |
| Parents | Jupiter and Maia or Caelus and Dies (Cicero and Hyginus) |
| Equivalents | |
| Greek equivalent | Hermes |
| Etruscan equivalent | Turms |
| Egyptian equivalent | Thoth or Anubis |
| Celtic equivalent | Lugus |
Mercury (in Latin, Mercurius) was a very important god in ancient Roman religion and mythology. He was one of the 12 main gods known as the Dii Consentes. Mercury was known as the god of many things, including messages, communication, travelers, and trade. He also brought good luck and was sometimes associated with clever tricks. People believed he helped guide souls to the afterlife.
In Roman stories, Mercury was the son of Maia and Jupiter, the king of the gods. He shared many traits with the Etruscan god Turms and the Greek god Hermes. Mercury is often shown holding a special staff called a caduceus. This staff, with two snakes wrapped around it, was a gift from the god Apollo.
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Who Was Mercury?
Mercury's story is a mix of ancient Roman beliefs and influences from other cultures. He became a widely worshipped god throughout the Roman Empire.
The Name and Its Meaning
The name "Mercury" likely comes from Latin words related to trade and business. Words like merx (meaning "merchandise") and mercari (meaning "to trade") are similar. This connection shows how important trade was to his identity. Some also think his name relates to "boundary" or "border," reflecting his role as a link between different worlds.
How Mercury Became Known
Mercury was not one of the very first Roman gods. His worship grew as Roman religion blended with Greek religion around the 4th century BC. He took on many characteristics of the Greek god Hermes. Like Hermes, Mercury wore winged shoes, called talaria, and a winged hat, known as a petasos. He also carried the caduceus, his famous staff. Mercury was often seen with a rooster, which announced the new day, a ram or goat, symbolizing new life, and a tortoise. The tortoise is linked to the story of Mercury inventing the lyre from its shell.
Mercury's Many Roles
Mercury had many important jobs and responsibilities in the Roman world. He was a busy god, always on the move.
God of Messages and Travelers
As a messenger god, Mercury was responsible for carrying important news between gods and humans. He was known for his speed and eloquence, meaning he was a good speaker. Because he traveled so much, he also became the patron god of all travelers. He helped people on their journeys and protected them.
Patron of Trade and Luck
Mercury was strongly connected to business and money. He was the god of commerce, especially the grain trade, which was vital for Rome. Merchants and traders looked to him for success and good fortune. He was also seen as a god who could bring abundance and financial gain. Sometimes, he was associated with cleverness and even trickery, which could be useful in trade.
Guiding Souls to the Afterlife
Another important role for Mercury was being a psychopomp. This means he was believed to guide the souls of people who had passed away to the afterlife. He acted as a bridge between the world of the living and the world beyond.
Mercury Around the Roman Empire
As the Roman Empire grew, Mercury's worship spread. Romans often saw their gods in the deities of other cultures.
Connecting with Other Gods
The Romans had a practice called interpretatio romana. This meant they would connect the gods of conquered tribes with their own Roman gods. Mercury became very popular in places like Britain and Gaul (modern-day France). The Roman leader Julius Caesar noted that Mercury was the most worshipped god there. This was likely because Mercury was linked to the Celtic god Lugus, who was also important for trade. Mercury was also associated with the Germanic god Wotan. This connection is still seen today in the name of the day "Wednesday," which comes from "Wotan's day," and "Mercredi" in French, which means "Mercury's day."
Stories About Mercury
Mercury appears in many ancient Roman stories and poems. These tales help us understand his personality and importance.
Mercury in Famous Tales
In Virgil's epic poem, the Aeneid, Mercury plays a crucial role. He reminds the hero Aeneas of his destiny to found the great city of Rome. Without Mercury's message, Aeneas might have forgotten his important mission. In another poem by Ovid, called Fasti, Mercury was asked to escort a nymph named Larunda to the underworld. On their journey, Mercury and Larunda became parents to two children, who were known as the Lares. The Lares were invisible household gods who protected Roman homes.
Mercury's Temple and Worship
Mercury had a special place of worship in Rome and a festival dedicated to him.
A Special Place in Rome
Mercury's main temple in Rome was built in 495 BC. It was located near the Circus Maximus, a famous chariot racetrack. This spot was perfect for a god of trade and travel, as it was a busy center for commerce. The temple's location between the Aventine and Palatine Hills also showed Mercury's role as a mediator, connecting different parts of Roman society. The temple was officially dedicated on May 15th.
Celebrating Mercury
Even though Mercury was not one of the oldest Roman gods, he had his own important festival called the Mercuralia. This festival took place every year on May 15th. During the Mercuralia, merchants would gather and sprinkle water from Mercury's sacred well on their heads. This ritual was a way to ask for good luck and success in their businesses for the year ahead.
Images for kids
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Mercurius by Artus Quellinus the Elder, mid 17th century.
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Mercury portrait on a bronze semuncia coin (215–211 BC).
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Bronze figurine of Mercury, found in Tongeren, dating from 100 to 250 A.D.
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Seal of the United States Post Office Department from 1792 to 1837, featuring Mercury.
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A statue of Mercury on the island of Källskär in Kökar, Åland.
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Mercury as the winged messenger on a 1949 Saint Lucia stamp.
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See also
In Spanish: Mercurio (mitología) para niños
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