Hermes is the ancient Greek god primarily known as the messenger of the Olympian gods. Beyond this role, he is the god of many domains including:
- Commerce and trade
- Travelers and roads
- Thieves and cunning
- Herds and flocks
- Oratory, language, and writing
- Athletics and gymnasiums
- Luck and fertility
- Boundaries and transitions, including guiding souls to the underworld as a psychopomp
He is also associated with invention, wit, and diplomacy. Hermes is depicted as a swift and clever deity who moves freely between the mortal and divine worlds, acting as a herald and protector of travelers and merchants
. His symbols include winged sandals, a herald's wand called the caduceus, a winged hat, and a lyre. Hermes is notable for his trickster nature and his role in various myths where he aids heroes or outsmarts other gods
. In summary, Hermes is the god of communication, commerce, travel, boundaries, and cunning, as well as the guide of souls to the afterlife.