Mercury (from the Tarocchi, series A: Firmaments of the Universe, #42)

This engraving is part of the Tarocchi group marked with the letter “A”, and named <em>Firmaments of the Universe</em>. This series comprises the seven planets from the classical astronomy (Moon, Mercury, Venus, Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn) and the three celestial spheres that separate them from the Supreme Entity <em>(Prima Causa</em>) from which everything was originated.

Here, <em>Mercurio </em>(Mercury) is personified as a full-length male figure, in profile to the left, while blowing a flute. Mercury appears as Hermes, the Greek messenger of gods. In his right hand holds up a <em>caduceus</em>, a herald staff at the top of which are two intertwined winged snakes. He also wears a <em>petasos </em>and a pair of <em>talaria</em>, respectively winged hat and shoes. At his feet is a cock—animal sacred to him—and the decapitated full-eyed head of Argo. Mercury was believed to be both the son of Saturn and the brother of Jupiter, and the second in the order of planets.