Shoes of Hermes
The winged sandals of the messenger god that granted the power of flight and superhuman speed
The Meaning of Shoes of Hermes
The winged sandals of Hermes, known as the talaria in Latin, were among the most iconic divine artefacts in Greek mythology. Crafted from imperishable gold, they bore wings at the ankles that enabled Hermes to fly swifter than any bird, traversing the distance between Olympus, Earth, and the Underworld in moments. As the messenger of the gods, Hermes required this extraordinary speed to carry out his ceaseless duties: delivering Zeus's commands, guiding souls of the dead to the underworld (in his role as Psychopompos), conducting divine embassies, and overseeing the safe passage of travellers. The sandals symbolised Hermes's dominion over boundaries and transitions — between the living and the dead, between the mortal and divine realms, between one place and another. In art, the winged sandals are Hermes's most consistent attribute alongside the caduceus and petasos (broad-brimmed hat). The sandals were also lent to the hero Perseus for his quest against Medusa, enabling him to approach the Gorgon and escape after the beheading. Some traditions held that the sandals could carry their wearer not only through the air but across the surface of water. The image of winged feet has persisted into the modern age as a symbol of speed and commerce, adopted by postal services and athletic brands alike.
Parents
None recorded
Symbols
Fun Fact
The winged sandal motif has been used as a symbol of speed and communication for over two millennia, from ancient coin designs to the modern FTD florist logo
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth. See our full guide to English words from Greek mythology.
Explore Further
Winged Sandals of Hermes
💭 conceptartifact, travel
The magical winged sandals worn by Hermes enabling flight, later lent to Perseus for his quest to slay the Gorgon Medusa.
God of Messengers
💭 conceptMessages, travel, boundaries, commerce, thieves
Hermes serves as divine messenger and psychopomp, escorting both words and souls between worlds.
Perseus and Medusa
💭 conceptNarrative
The hero's quest to slay the mortal Gorgon and his ingenious use of divine gifts to accomplish the impossible
Goddess of Victory
💭 conceptVictory, triumph, speed, strength
Nike personifies victory in both war and peaceful competition, flying above battlefields to crown the worthy.
Sciapod
🐉 creaturefabulous races
A one-legged race who lay on their backs using their single enormous foot as a sunshade
God of Athletes
💭 conceptAthletics, competition, physical excellence, gymnastics
Hermes presides over athletic contests, protecting competitors and rewarding speed, skill, and fair play.
Armour of Achilles
💭 conceptArtefact
Two sets of divinely forged armour worn by the greatest Greek warrior, both crafted by Hephaestus
Mercury
💭 conceptAstronomy and mythology
The smallest and fastest planet in the solar system, named after Mercury, the Roman messenger god identified with the Greek Hermes, because of its rapid orbital speed
Trident of Poseidon
💭 conceptArtefact
The three-pronged weapon of the sea god, capable of causing earthquakes and summoning storms
Fleece of Chrysomallus
💭 conceptArtefact
The golden fleece of the divine winged ram, the object of Jason's legendary quest to Colchis
God of the Sun
💭 conceptSun, light, truth, cattle of the sun
Helios drives the sun chariot across the sky each day, and Apollo later inherited many solar associations.
Hermes
⚡ godMessenger of the gods and patron of thieves
The quicksilver god who guides souls to the Underworld, protects travellers, and invented lying on the day he was born.