The gods of trade among different nations of the world

In ancient times, the main religion was paganism, or, in a different way, polytheism. Moreover, each of the gods was responsible for a certain sphere of activity, and his power spread only within the framework of this area. In particular, it was believed that merchants and merchants were taken under their reliable protection by the gods of trade. These mythical creatures were the object of beliefs of various peoples, and each of the communities called its protector in its own way. The gods of trade found their place and recognition both in the well-known Roman and ancient Greek mythology, and in our native, Slavic, pantheon. Recall the features of each of the deities of various peoples of the world.

Hermes

The god of trade among the Greeks, Hermes, according to ancient legend is the son of a mountain nymph Maya. His father is no less than the god of gods and heaven - Zeus himself. A demigod born of forbidden love from an early age began to show unprecedented resourcefulness, cunning, as well as dexterity and intelligence. In addition, in ancient Greek sources, Hermes is credited with qualities such as speed and quickness, which makes him the patron saint of messengers, a messenger of peace and war. Like all gods of trade, Hermes helps merchants by supplying them with the information they need so much. The Greeks changed the purpose of this demigod over time. Gradually he was credited with the role of the defender of thieves, for his grip helps the scammers to see where and what is bad, and also to hide the stolen. Later, Hermes began to function as a guide of the souls of the dead in the kingdom of Hades. It was believed that this demigod protects the shepherds and herds and can cast dreams. Stone pillars at the gates and doors were dedicated to him, which made him the protector of travelers.

Mercury

An analogue of Hermes in Roman mythology is Mercury. Just as in Greece, he was considered the son of the god of heaven, but the Romans called him Whole. Initially, Mercury was attributed patronage to the grain business, but gradually it became a full-fledged advocate of trade, all the shopkeepers and peddlers. Merchants brought various sacrifices to God in order to propitiate him and avoid deception from their competitors. An interesting fact is that the fastest of the planets of the solar system got its name in honor of this swift intercessor "traders".

Veles

The god of trade among the Slavs is famous under the name Veles. Unlike his southern counterparts, he does not have such qualities as deceit, craftiness, and cheating. On the contrary, Veles is also hailed as the patron saint of wisdom, songs and poetry. Like other gods of trade, he is in parallel a deity of agriculture, namely, animal husbandry. With the name Veles, the Slavs associated one of the most beautiful star clusters - the Pleiades. Often in the ancient sources of this god, Perun was opposed. This is the main difference between the "black" patron of pastoralists from Mercury and Hermes, because Veles is one of the main deities, while other gods of trade were recognized, as a rule, only by assistants to more important representatives of the mythological pantheon.