Every culture on the planet has its legends concerning the creation of the world, and likewise all cultures have those who seek immortality. Indeed, the quest for knowledge and immortality is recorded as far back as the ancient Sumerian story of Gilgamesh. Even today we strive for answers about our beginnings, and our scientists struggle with our own mortality, searching to cure diseases and clone humans. In a strange twist, the Egyptian, Greek, and Roman cultures all become intertwined on these points in the figure of Hermes Trismegistus. Hermes is credited with being a great philosopher in all of these cultures and is said to have written many influential works. Speculation continues as to whether he existed as an individual, a collection of independent writers, or even at all, but the mythology surrounding him is prevalent in all three cultures. As scholars became interested in the Hermetic philosophy, it evolved into an organized religion. Today, it still remains as such and has influenced many great writers and world religions. .
Hermes Trismegistus or "The Thrice-Greatest Hermes" is attributed with many writings, which are the basis of Hermetic philosophy today. Though it is not clear as to whether or not he was an actual person, most agree that there once was a sage named Hermes who developed the beginnings of these philosophies. To attribute all of the Hermetic writing to this individual, however, would be giving him the super-human status, deifying him in modern times as well as ancient. Most of the writings from the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans portray this sage as a god. There, the conflict between these accounts begins. It is possible that Hermes Trismegistus is actually a fusion of these three culture's individual gods: Thoth, Hermes, and Mercury. Several different authors likely wrote the Hermetic teachings, the "truths" told within them just local oral traditions and legends.
Then there was Hermes; the messenger of the gods. ... Hermes was born in Arcadia. ... When Hermes met the Greek god Aphrodite; it was love at first sight. ... Pan was a great musician just like Hermes. The Romans, however, did not know him as Hermes but rather as Mercury. ...
The renaissance was a time of improvement where society wanted to move beyond the accomplishments of the past. The people of the time looked at the magnificent works of the Romans. Works that went unsurpassed for centuries included the Roman aqueducts, the intricately designed roads and fortificati...
Hermes says, "Zeus made me come, and not my inclinations". ... This statement suggests that Hermes wishes to return to Mt. ... However, at the end, like Hermes, he shall return home too. ... When arriving to the island, "[Hermes"] heart beat with delight." ... Although Hermes leaves reluctantly, he exhibits power over Kalypso. ...
Zeus sends Hermes with Priam for protection. Iris tells Priam of the plan when she says, "We will send/ As your guide and escort Hermes himself'/ Who will lead you all the way to Achilles' hut" (24.194-197). ... On the journey Hermes is disguised as a Myrmidon, and he promises that Priam will arrive safely. Hermes reveals his true identity just as Priam is about to enter Achilles' dwelling, but leaves Priam to meet with Achilles alone. ... For a brief moment, following the brutality of war, the two men create a brilliant space for peace, trust, respect of the enemy. ...
From the time we are born we are engulfed in tradition. ... A Christian tradition that I now questioned has been Easter. ... The fact we have joined Easter with pagan traditions is amazing enough, but that we do not question these traditions nor where they come from is even more amazing. ... Our American culture seems to be now one built on layers of commercialized bastardized tradition and more traditions. These traditions are composed of many of different traditions from all around the world, where and why they originated our lost somewhere. ...
The family is seen as the main mechanism by which traditions are preserved. ... Shrine Shinto constitutes a main current of Japanese tradition; it was the original form of the religion. ... Various celebrations, rituals, arts, and traditions make up Shinto's unique culture. ... One interesting tradition is that a prayer and offerings to the kami is done when building a skyscraper. ...
Hermes and Dionysos together were approximately seven to seven and a half feet tall, and approximately three feet wide, including the base that Hermes was standing on. ... The clothing worn by Hermes and Dionysos was scarce. ... Throughout the body of Hermes a painterly line is very evident. ... The body of Hermes has very subtle form because of how painterly the line is. ... The fact that Hermes is looking at Dionysos, and then Hermes" left arm is sticking out is also a very effective technique for movement for the viewer's eye. ...
The church looked to create a more accurate model through Hermeticism, which was practiced by philosophers and mathematicians before the scientific way of thinking. The Hermetics thought that everything in the world had a divine spirit and that all things are related and moved because of this, not because of God. ... Many Hermetics were a part of magic, witchcraft, the occult, or alchemy. However, some Hermetics decided to investigate science in a different way. ...
Kazakh people always used to respect highly their traditions and national values. They always impress other nations with their tolerance, with extraordinary and unique ornaments, with their patriotism and use of tradition. ... The policy of Russification push people to forget their culture and to receive Russian tradition. ... Therefore, Kazakhs just could not improve their cultural traditions as the Soviet Union threatened them to punish. ... Westernization brings a huge impact on our society; people were engaged with their tradition, clothing and with their general lifestyle. ...
