Mercury (Latin: Mercurius), in Roman mythology the god of trade, profit and commerce, the son of Maia Maiestas and Jupiter. Mercury had essentially the same aspects as Hermes, wearing winged shoes and a winged petasos, and carrying the caduceus, a herald’s staff with two entwined snakes that was Apollo’s gift to Hermes. He was often accompanied by a cockerel, herald of the new day, a ram or goat, symbolizing fertility, and a tortoise, referring to Mercury’s legendary invention of the lyre from a tortoise shell.