Trident

Sculpture of Poseidon in Copenhagen

A trident is a weapon that consists of a long pole and a tip crowned with three teeth .

Like many other piercing and chopping weapons, the trident has evolved from an everyday peaceful instrument, in this case the harpoon used for fishing to this day. The original material was bones. When the trident was transformed from the hunting tool into a weapon, the hooks at the ends of the teeth that held the fish disappeared. In close combat, this effect was not in demand. The trident was used as a spear , with its help it was also possible to capture enemy weapons. These weapons were common during the Roman Empire among gladiators ( retarians ).

Content

Trident in the cultures of the peoples of the world

In Sumer and Akkad

Double pitchforks were a symbol of Marduk - the supreme deity of Sumero-Akkadian mythology . Using them, Marduk defeated the goddess of darkness Tiamat , which marked the beginning of the creation of the world .

In Greco-Roman Culture

In Greco-Roman culture, the trident symbolizing the thunderbolt is weapons of the heavenly god Zeus ( Jupiter ). Also, the trident is the most famous symbol of power over the sea and an attribute of the ancient Greek god Poseidon ( Neptune ).

In Christianity

In Christianity, following the ancient Indo-European tradition, the trident is seen on the one hand as a symbol of the Resurrection, a symbol of the Creator and Lord of the Universe, the Holy Trinity , on the other hand, as a symbol of the underworld (Aida): on many Orthodox and Catholic icons, devils torment sinners with tridents. The trident in the hands of Satan plays the same role as the braid in the hands of the allegorical figure of Death , and also symbolizes the principle of "divide and conquer." Thus, the trident in Christianity is like a cross - on the one hand it is a symbol of execution and death, on the other hand, liberation and resurrection.

A giant statue of Shiva in Murdeshwar with a trishula.

In Hinduism

In India, a trishula similar to a trident is a weapon of the Hindu god Shiva and symbolizes three aspects of Shiva (creator, keeper, destroyer). The trident is depicted as a mark on the foreheads of his followers.

The trident in the form of a vajra is perceived as an attribute of Indra and Durga . It is also a symbol of fire, reflecting the three entities of Agni .

The trident is found in the mysticism of tantric yoga .

In Buddhism

In Buddhism, the trident symbolizes the Three Jewels of Buddha . It symbolizes the Heavens of pure flame, as well as the destruction of three poisons: anger, desire and laziness. In addition, the trident is a symbol more expensive .

In other cultures

The trident is a symbol of Maserati .
According to legend, Paracelsus healed the sick with a trident.
The trident is depicted on the flag of Barbados .
The trident was a personal sign ( tamga ) of Genghis Khan .
The trident, as a patrimonial sign ( tamga ) of the descendants of the eldest son of Genghis Khan Khan Juchi , was minted on the coins of Khan Batu .
The trident gave the name of the butterfly a trident shooter ( Acronicta tridens ).
The trident was a symbol of some Russian princes of the times of Kievan Rus.
The trident is depicted on the coat of arms of Ukraine and originates from the personal sign of Prince Vladimir.
The trident on the background of the Russian flag is a symbol of the NTS ; it resembles Ukrainian, but somewhat different in form.
The trident-tamga is depicted on the flag of the Crimean Tatars .

Notes

Literature

Encyclopedia of characters / comp. Roshal V.M. - Moscow: AST, 2005 .-- 1007 p. - 5100 copies. - ISBN 985-13-5049-4 .