Trident facts for kids

A trident is a special type of spear that has three sharp points, or "prongs," at its end. People have used tridents for many different things throughout history.

One of the main uses for a trident is spearfishing. It's great for catching fish because its three points make it easier to hit and hold onto slippery fish in the water.

Tridents in History

Long ago, tridents were also used as polearms. This means they were weapons used in battles or fights.

In Ancient Rome, some Gladiators used tridents. These gladiators were called retiarius (which means "net-man"). They would first throw a large net to try and trap their opponent. Once the opponent was caught, the retiarius would use their trident to fight them.

In the 17th century, Dutch fishermen were also seen using tridents to catch fish, showing how useful this tool has been for a long time.

Tridents in Mythology

The trident is a very famous symbol in many old stories and myths.

In classical mythology, the trident is the special weapon of Poseidon. He was the powerful god of the sea, earthquakes, and horses in Greek mythology. The Romans called him Neptune. When Poseidon struck the sea with his trident, he could create huge waves, storms, or even calm the waters.

In Hindu mythology, the trident is the weapon of the god Shiva. Shiva's trident is known as trishula. The word trishula comes from Sanskrit and also means "triple-spear." It represents many important ideas in Hindu beliefs, like creation, preservation, and destruction.

Where Does the Word "Trident" Come From?

The word "trident" has an interesting history itself. It comes from the French word trident. This French word, in turn, came from the Latin word tridens. The Latin word tridens means "three teeth" or "three prongs," which perfectly describes what a trident looks like!

Images for kids

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  Fountain of Neptune in Diafáni, Karpathos island

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

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  Dutch fishermen using tridents in the 17th century.

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

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  Two guardian deities of an ancient Chinese tomb, both holding tridents

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  Trident, of Thailand, 18th century

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

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  Camargue trident

See also

In Spanish: Tridente para niños