Trident facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Poseidon sculpture Copenhagen 2005 hand
Poseidon's trident

A trident /ˈtraɪdənt/ is a three-pronged spear. It is used for spearfishing. Historically it was used as a polearm. Gladiators used them in Ancient Rome after they cast a net to trap their opponent. The trident is the weapon of Poseidon, or Neptune, the god of the sea in classical mythology. In Hindu mythology it is the weapon of Shiva, known as trishula (Sanskrit for "triple-spear"). The word "trident" comes from the French word trident, which in turn comes from the Latin word tridens.

Images for kids

  • Astyanax vs Kalendio mosaic

    Mosaic, 4th century BC, showing a retiarius or "net fighter", with a trident and cast net, fighting a secutor.

  • Statueofshiva

    A statue of Hindu God Shiva, holding a trishula, near Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi

  • Trident fishing gallaeus

    Dutch fishermen using tridents in the 17th century

  • Trident, Burmese, 18th century

    Trident, Burmese, 18th century

  • Tridents (Trishul) brought as offerings to Guna Devi., near Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh

    Tridents (Trishula) brought as offerings to Guna Devi, near Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India


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