Mercury / Hermes. Mercury is a major god in Roman religion and mythology, being one of the 12 Dii Consentes within the ancient Roman pantheon.
He is often shown holding a caduceus, a staff entwined with two serpents and topped with a pair of wings. The caduceus is a symbol of commerce, negotiation, and diplomacy, and it represents Mercury's role as a mediator and messenger between the gods and mortals.
As the god of commerce and thieves, Mercury is sometimes depicted carrying a purse or pouch, which symbolizes wealth and prosperity. This attribute also reflects his association with cunning and trickery.
He is typically portrayed as a youthful, athletic figure, reflecting his agility, speed, and physical prowess. His lean, muscular form is often shown in various states of undress, emphasizing his grace and beauty.
In some representations, Mercury is shown as an infant or a child, often referred to as the Infant Mercury. This depiction emphasizes his precociousness, curiosity, and mischievous nature. He is the god of financial gain, commerce, eloquence, messages, communication, travelers, boundaries, luck, trickery and thieves; he also serves as the guide of souls to the underworld. He was considered the son of Maia, who was a daughter of the Titan Atlas, and Jupiter in Roman mythology. In his earliest forms, he appears to have been related to the Etruscan deity Turms; both gods share characterist