Herald of the Gods

Who: Hermes

What: Messenger of Gods

Born to: Zeus and Maia

Symbol: Caduceus

Worshipped by: Athletes, Boxers,Merchants, Travellers

Inventions: The alphabet, astronomy, weighing scales, card games (he also invented cheating, since he cheated in the card games), foot racing, boxing

Unique Features

1. Hermes, the herald of the Olympian gods, is a handsome young man with a winged hat, winged sandals, and a golden staff twined with serpents. His symbol is used by doctors.
2. Hermes is the official communication channel between the gods and mortals.
3. Clever,bold, determined, athletic, a powerful magician, Hermes can even charm monsters with his lyre music. He invented the lyre using a turtle shell.
4. Hermes is the personal attendant of his dad Zeus, and has even helped him get out of sticky situations from time to time.
5. Hermes is Pan’s dad. (Pan is the half-man half-goat god of the wild animals.)
6. Hermes leads human souls into and occasionally out of the underworld.
7. He is also considered the god of travellers and boundaries; ensuring safe journeys and open communication among people.
8. The Greek Post Office has Hermes as its symbol.

Stories

Hermes and Apollo

Hermes was conceived in the dead of night, and was born the very next morning when his mother awoke. Maia, his mom, wrapped him in swaddling bands, and immediately fell asleep with exhaustion; because she’d had too much exertion and excitement during the past few hours. The newborn Hermes,however, was completely alert and full of energy; and was ready for some mischief already. So he squirmed free of the cloth and ran off to Thessaly. This is where Apollo, his brother, grazed his cattle. Hermes stole many of the herd and drove them back to Greece. He hid them in a small grotto near the city of Pylos and covered their tracks. Before returning to the cave he caught a tortoise,killed it and removed its entrails. Using the intestines from a cow stolen from Apollo and the hollow tortoise shell, he invented the first lyre. When he reached the cave he wrapped himself back into the swaddling bands and lay next to his mother like a good little newborn (Talk about wily and shrewd!).

When Apollo realized he had been robbed he protested to Maia that it had been Hermes who had taken his cattle. Maia looked to Hermes and of course couldn’t believe what Apollo was saying, since her little baby was still wrapped in swaddling bands. Zeus then intervened saying he had been watching and Hermes should return the cattle to Apollo. As the argument went on, the charming Hermes began to play on his lyre. The sweet music enchanted Apollo, and he offered Hermes to keep the cattle in exchange for the lyre. Apollo later became the grand master of the instrument, and it also became one of his symbols. Later, while Hermes watched over his herd he also played the pipes known as syrinx (pan-pipes).Hermes also invented the flute. Apollo, also desired this instrument, so Hermes bartered with Apollo and received his golden wand which Hermes later used as his heralds staff.

Lessons

It pays to be smart: Hermes sure knew how to get himself out of a sticky situation. While Zeus and Apollo were arguing, he started playing his lyre; instantly charming Apollo. Not only did Apollo instantly forgive him, but he also let Hermes keep the cattle in exchange of the lyre.

Power of Music

While most of us enjoy music now and then, its therapeutic value is largely underestimated. Listen to your favourite music when your mood needs some perking up or you just want to feel soothed.

Tags: Hermes, Messenger of Gods

Category: Science & Tech, Science & Tech News