I would like to comment on a universal aspect of mythologies. The degree of importance that culture has given to some human condition, natural phenomenon, animals and plants, or essential categories of the behavior of men and women, is related, almost generally, to the number of divinities -gods and goddesses- that it has created with respect to that inclination, aversion or repulsion. That is to say, the greater the number of that divine representation, the greater the importance, inclination, or rejection, that people have towards those phenomena.
A fundamental aspect is that of fear in the human being. We could say that fear of natural phenomena, of the unknown and the strange, is one of the fundamental elements for which gods have been created in all mythologies.
In our fundamental theme of walking, without a doubt, all mythologies have at least one goddess or god protector of the roads, travelers, and walkers. But likewise, walking (and its derivations) is not one of the representations that have several gods in their mythologies, and there are other physical, material and spiritual conditions that are more complex to understand and discern, and therefore, they are attributed greater importance, so it requires a greater number of divinities for their attention and observation.
As this is not the only Post where I will be commenting on some gods and goddesses that are related to walking, I must expose -from my particular point of view- why it is important to pay attention to the divinities in relation to this crucial topic of the Blog: walking -and its various derivations, such as merchants, walkers, roads, pilgrims, travelers, etc.
In the mythologies of the West there are apparently few gods protectors of the roads.
Hermes is a god of Greek mythology, the son of Zeus and the goddess Maia, known as the messenger of the gods, the protector of merchants and thieves, and also as the god of eloquence and athletes. He was very swift and cunning, and was attributed with the ability to deceive the gods. He was depicted as carrying a staff and wearing winged sandals -sometimes with a winged hat-, he had the function of guiding the deceased to the world of the dead. He was also associated with trade and prosperity, and sacrifices were offered to him to ensure a good journey and protection against dangers along the way.
Hermes, in addition to being the god of various representations of human actions and conditions, is a caretaker, watchman and protector of the wayfarers. This function of protection, surely entrusted by Zeus, was developed on the land surface but also in the sea and rivers. He protected travelers as well as fishermen, and sailors in charge of navigational aspects in large, medium and small vessels. In the mythological annals that I have consulted, it seems that he did not like stowaways or vagabonds, which seems a bit contradictory to me, since Hermes was a protector of travelers and also distinguished himself for his acts of larceny.
As protector of the roads and travelers, he was also the protector of merchants and pilgrims who moved by land from one place to another, in order to develop their commercial, tourist, and religious activities or as emigrants.
Hermes was one of the gods of Olympus who had more divine representations, which I will mention in full in order not to stay with the single image that he was only a god protector of travelers and roads. He was one of the main advisors and messengers of Zeus, God’s defender of merchants and commerce, the mediator of thieves, and sponsor of the arts; he was also the god of chance.. He created the system of weights and measures, with which trade was perfected. He was in charge of Zeus to take the souls of the dead to hell. Zeus commanded him for reconciliation between enemies, as Apollo had given him a golden staff (a rod) that had powers for mediation, appeasement and reconciliation.
In the aspect of the divine attribution of chance, I would like to mention G. Ephrain Lessing in his work Laocoön. He states at the beginning of his chapter XX, warning his readers that: “I prefer to return to my path, if one who goes for a walk can have a path”, showing his modesty as a writer and thinker (pp. 21 and 203), recognizing the image of Hermes in his divine faculty of chance, as an indicator that things come about by chance and randomness, and not necessarily by reasoning, because what he considered -as he surely considered it- are loose reflections that are externalized as they arise in his thoughts, rather than elements of a structured study carried out in an organic and harmonious way. As the Greek people themselves surely felt when attributing to their God that divine dimension of chance.
As part of his physiognomy (image) Hermes was represented with wings on the heels of his feet or on his sandals and with a winged cap, which transmitted an immutable inclination to walk permanently, with care and lightness.
Rome, as we know, imitated Greece in almost everything; in the divine (mythological) aspect it had a repetition practically equal to the Greek pantheon, with its own names. Mercury was the replica of the Greek god Hermes, and as such was a very important god for the Romans of that time. Of course, he was also the protector of roads and travelers. Like Hermes, Mercury was an effective reconciler between enemies.
This personality of Hermes – and Mercury – as protector of travelers and roads reflected the importance the ancient Greeks placed on safety and prosperity in travel and trade.
I will allow myself to relate several events of the god Hermes that were related to the roads, to walking and to wayfarers.
Zeus wanted to know for sure how effective Hermes was as a mediator and reconciler, and one day when Hermes was walking in the forest, Zeus made him see two snakes that were fighting furiously. Hermes, who always carried that rod that Apollo had given him, granting him divine powers for mediation, appeasement and reconciliation, immediately intervened in that dispute. Zeus, observing the whole scene, advised the snakes not to stop fighting.
Hermes, addressing one of the serpents, asked him: -What do you wish to obtain from your enemy: her surrender, to kill her or to humiliate her?
To which the serpent replied: -Only defeat her! Then I will be the only one on this ground.
Hermes replied: “But there are many more snakes like you.
-There are only two of us.
Immediately, he asked the same question to the opponent, and she answered: “I wish to annihilate her forever!
-Why? -asked Hermes.
-Just because I don’t like the way she crawls.
-But you crawl in the same way.
-That’s not true. I walk upright.
Before such an answer, Hermes with his magic rod intertwined them and gave them his staff, since it would be of no use to him before those two answers. The two snakes were united forever, embracing the staff, which prevented them from crawling ever again, they could only walk upright, leaning on each other.
Zeus’ answer was never known.
In a popular story from Greek mythology, Hermes protects a merchant named Autolycus. Autolycus was known to be a cunning and skilled thief, but he also considered himself a successful merchant. One day, while traveling along a dangerous road with a large amount of precious goods, he was attacked by bandits. Hermes, as his protector, intervened and tricked the bandits with his eloquent skill, allowing Autolycus to escape with his goods intact. This story from Greek mythology shows how Hermes, despite his fame as a patron of robbers, also protected merchants and helped them succeed in their trading voyages.
In another story from Greek mythology, Hermes defends a wayfarer named Battus. Battus was a pastry chef living on the island of Crete and one day he came face to face with the god Zeus, who was disguised as a traveler. Zeus asked Battus to show him the way to a water source, and Battus agreed. However, when Zeus reached the fountain, he tried to steal the gold at the bottom. Battus saw him and ran to tell the other gods. Hermes, who had been sent by Zeus to keep an eye on Battus, realized that Battus had found out and reported him. Instead of punishing Battus, Hermes protected him and swore an oath to Zeus that he would not reveal his true identity. This mythological story shows how Hermes, as protector of wayfarers, defended Battus from the consequences of his action of denouncing Zeus, and how his cunning and his ability to keep secrets made him an effective defender of travelers and merchants.
In another story from Greek mythology, Hermes defends a wayfarer named Iphicles, who was the twin brother of Achilles. Iphicles was traveling along a dangerous path and encountered Apollo, the god of the sun and music. Apollo asked Iphicles to show him the way to a temple, and Iphicles agreed. However, when Iphicles took him to the temple, Apollo tried to steal a sacred image that was there. Iphicles discovered this and ran to tell the other gods. Hermes, who had been sent by Zeus to watch Iphicles, realized that Iphicles had discovered Apollo’s attempted theft. Instead of punishing Iphicles, Hermes protected him and confronted Apollo, who eventually returned the sacred image. This legend shows how Hermes, as protector of wayfarers, defended Iphicles from the consequences of his action in denouncing Apollo, and how his cunning and courage made him an effective defender of travelers and merchants, even when other gods were involved.
Now let us analyze the importance of the creation of divinities to protect the roads.
The myths that are related to the theme of the gods and goddesses that have been created throughout the times are abundant and very enriching. However, we do not have enough space in this Post and in the measure of their importance, we will be commenting on them in the series of Posts that I have programmed within this topic.
Each element that constitutes the roads has been extracted and considered relevant by the human mind: its nooks and crannies, its geological accidents, its bridges, its fords, its bifurcations, as well as its different benefits that have granted, and dozens more of those components that have given shape and symbolism.
For the time being, I will try to respond succinctly to this subsection.
The answer involves two fundamental spheres of the human condition: its religious part and its psychological part.
As in all religious manifestations, this also rests on two aspects: one positive and the other negative. The positive inclination can be called love, affection, salvation, admiration, liberation, idolatry, awakening, devotion, enlightenment, hope, etc.
The negative contrariety can be called doubt, hatred, pain, frustration, fear, ignorance, guilt, etc.
However, if there is anything negative about walking, it is the frustration one feels for not having placed oneself on the path to begin the walk.
But all the positive meanings (representations, expressions, signs) we begin to find them from the very moment we start walking, because they begin to parade inside us.
The answer immediately arises as to why people create divinities to protect the roads: Because this activity is essential and the roads must be free of negative forces. Otherwise, they would eliminate from the human being one of his inborn activities.
And likewise: Why protect the walkers and other derived entities that use these means of communication? The answer is very similar: because there has been a deep fear of losing that innate activity.
The psychological part rests on the unconscious function of the human being, supported by a conscious and an instinctive part. Briefly we will say that the unconscious works storing all the contents repressed by the consciousness -desires, impulses, fears, etc.- and also keeps -together with the “it”- the essential habits of the being (positive and negative), as well as its instincts or archaic impulses such as the one we are referring to (Future Post THE CONSCIOUS AND THE UNCONSCIOUS IN THE APPLICATION OF THE WALK-RWD SYSTEM).
The psychological position leads us to think that in an unconscious way that fear -mentioned in the religious sphere- is found in the deepest part of the unconscious, due to the fact that the conscious has been repressing it and for the same reason does not allow it to fully emerge to the consciousness.
Since human beings landed on earth, these two spheres worked together to create those divinities that have protected both the roads and the users of them.
Let us remember again what Prometheus advised the human being, in those mythical times, when he was released from his chains: “Your mission is to walk on the planet Earth“.
The creation of gods protecting the roads in different mythologies is due -as we have already mentioned- to the degree of relevance that the peoples have conferred to some human condition or to the different natural phenomena, either as an inclination or as a rejection.
The fundamental psychological aspect is that of the human being’s fear of what he does not understand, of the unknown. Since ancient times, humans have traveled dangerous roads in search of food, trade and exploration. These journeys were dangerous because of enemies, wild animals, adverse weather conditions and other natural hazards. As a result, humans have created myths and legends to explain these dangers and to assuage their fear of the unknown.
In these mythologies, the protector gods of the roads symbolize safety and protection during travel. All gods – male or female – offered a sense of security and comfort to travelers, to wayfarers, as they were represented as powerful and benevolent beings who were always ready to help travelers in confronting these dangers. These gods were also seen as symbols of hope and overcoming obstacles, and their presence in mythology could motivate travelers to keep going and succeed in their journeys.
The creation of protector gods of the roads in different mythologies is a reflection of the innate human fear of the unknown and their constant search for safety and protection during journeys. This category of gods and goddesses have served as symbols of confidence and certainty, and their presence in mythology motivated travelers to move forward, leaving fears behind.
In this way, we can assure that there is a direct relationship between the fear that human beings have suffered throughout the ages and the creation of gods and goddesses in different mythologies. Since ancient times, human beings have experienced fear before the challenges and dangers of everyday life, such as natural disasters, diseases, death and other dangers. To overcome these fears and to find meaning in their existence, humans have created gods and goddesses to represent them and to provide protection and comfort.
These gods and goddesses are a reflection of people’s fears and concerns (manifested at different times) at a given time and are often associated with aspects of life such as war, fertility, death, nature and other important aspects. By believing in the protection and help of these gods, humans can overcome their fears and find greater serenity and confidence in their daily lives.
Thus, the creation of gods and goddesses in different mythologies is a response to the fears and challenges that humans have experienced throughout history. These gods and goddesses provide comfort and protection and give human beings a sense of encouragement and optimism amidst the dangers and challenges of their life existence.
The more fear a people have had of certain things and natural phenomena, the more gods and goddesses they have created to protect themselves from the unknown and incomprehensible. In many ancient cultures, the creation of gods and goddesses was directly related to the fears and challenges people faced in their daily lives.
For example, in a society that lived in an area of frequent earthquakes, there might be an earthquake god who was revered and asked for protection. In a society that depended on agriculture, there might be rain and fertility gods who were worshipped to ensure a good harvest.
Specifically, the creation of gods and goddesses is a way to address the fears and concerns of the people at any given time. By having a divine figure to protect them, humans can overcome their fears and find greater meaning in their lives.
Of course, Fear is not the only element that generates it, but also Pain, Guilt and Frustration. All of them considered as the undefined variable (X) in an algebraic expression, being religion and its gods the determined variable (Y).
Y=f(X)
Each of the religions and mythologies, with their creation of gods and goddesses, manage to mitigate these unconscious or real sufferings:
For Pain: Liberation/Salvation.
For Fear: Faith/Belief/Hope
For Guilt: Solidarity/Empathy
For Frustration: Acceptance and Renunciation.
To conclude I would like to say one more characteristic of the god Hermes in this context.
Hermes plays a very important role in this theme of walking, for apart from his divine “walking activities”, his image is very eloquent with his wings on his ankles (or sandals) representing the swiftness of his walking. The wings were not placed on his upper extremities, arms and hands, but on his feet, and this relates him to walking. As with all the gods that have been created as protectors of the roads and walkers, Hermes is a clear response of the Greek people to the fear of detriment, neglect or loss of this innate activity in the human being.
The importance of Hermes in the mythological context of that people, we find it in its multiple representations and its proximity to Zeus, which assigns the highest degree to this divinity and therefore to the roads and the practice of walking.
As we publish some Posts about the myths and elements that have been represented in a relevant way in this subject since archaic times, we will explain and analyze them in those moments. About the concept of bifurcation in the paths, I have expressed in Post WALKING, AN EXISTENTIAL METAPHOR. PART 3 OF 4, the following: “The bifurcations in the roads (Future Post SARUTAHIKO, GOD OF TRAVELERS IN ANCIENT JAPAN, God of the bifurcations) are analogies of the crucial moments in the decision making of our existence”. That is why in that Post we recommended that we should start walking because each walk can be used as an analogy that physically communicates us with our unconscious, since when walking along any path, we can use each bifurcation as an existential metaphor that enlightens us in our own circumstantial decisions. This will help us to better understand and make decisions in our lives and also motivate us to take daily walks.
Final Note: With the publication of this Post we end the 5th consecutive year of the WALKREADANDWRITE Blog.