2007-01-09 12:37:59 · 6 answers · asked by Cey 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Mercury commonly refers to:
Mercury (planet), the nearest planet to the Sun in the solar system
Mercury (element), the chemical element (also called quicksilver)
Mercury (mythology), or Mercurius, a Roman god
(initial capital letter) the ancient Roman god who served as messenger of the gods and was also the god of commerce, thievery, eloquence, and science, identified with the Greek god Hermes.
2007-01-09 12:43:20 · answer #1 · answered by Sparrowess 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The planet Mercury was named after the nimble footed Greek god Mercury.
The metal, Mercury, come from the Indian word for alchemy, Rasavatam, which means ‘the way of mercury’. Alchemists often thought of mercury as the First Matter from which all metals were formed.
2007-01-09 20:47:12 · answer #2 · answered by Dreaux~ 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mercury was the 'messenger of the gods' and was a very swift, winged footed traveler.
Of the planets visible from earth, mercury appears to move the swiftest against the fixed background of the stars, and stays relatively close to the sun, traveling (as viewed from earth) from one side to the other and back again.
If you think of the sun as a god, mercury the planet embodies the characteristics of Mercury the god, running back and forth, delivering messages.
2007-01-09 20:44:20 · answer #3 · answered by xaviar_onasis 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mercury was the messenger of the Roman Gods. It corresponds to the Greek God Hermes (Her-meez), who was a bit of a trickster. In one myth, he stole the go Apollo's cows when he was only young by leading them backwards out of a cave and tying brooms to their tails so they erased their tracks as they walked.
2007-01-10 21:43:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
All of the planets were named after Roman Gods:
Mercury (Hermes) - Messenger of the gods
Venus (Aphrodite) - Goddess of love
Mars (Aries) - God of War
Jupiter (Zeus) - King of the Gods
Saturn (Cronos) - Chief of the Titans and father of Zeus
Uranus (Same in Greek) - God of the sky
Neptune (Poseidon) - God of the seas
Pluto (Hades) God of the Underworld/Afterlife
2007-01-10 11:40:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mercury was an ancient greek divinity with wings on its feet.
He was the messenger.
2007-01-09 20:43:38 · answer #6 · answered by PragmaticAlien 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋