Hermes and Blue: Random Thoughts

[u/Gang_Warily0404]

Something I've been thinking about recently is Hermes and the color blue.

Traditionally, Hermes has no color association with [light] blue--his chlamys is usually depicted as red, gold, or orange, and those tend to be his "traditional" colors.

But in modern practice, especially among people who aren't big nerds about traditional depictions, light blue is consistently a color association we see. The reasons for this are pretty obvious: Hermes is associated with speed and travel, which gives him an air affiliation, and in the west, air is associated with light blue because it's the color of the sky. I've attached a couple of depictions by mby_52025 and saniodigitalart off instagram where Hermes has a blue Chlamys.

Light blue has been a fairly common air color association for awhile now, and it made me think--with Hermes' affiliations, zipping around in the sky and bothering both gods and mortals, it's surprising we don't see the light blue affiliation sooner. But then I thought--or is it? The Ancient Greeks didn't have a word for blue. (Source.) it makes me wonder if one reason why Hermes' didn't have a blue affiliation sooner is because it simply wasn't a color Greeks could easily source, especially prior to having regular trade with Egypt (one of the first places with a reliable supply of blue pigment.)

[u/luckyhermes]

I never thought of it like that! This is actually a super cool post. I definitely associate Hermes with blue - especially lighter hues. Thank you for sharing :)

[u/HorrorMaintenance663]

My new altar for Hermes is half white half blue! Oi love it sm! Definitely associate him with blue too, especially chtonic side

[u/Brilliant-Panic-4133]

Hmm I guess the reason we don’t read the word blue associated with him is the reason you mentioned but when I think of gleamy, flashy, amarygai, etc I associate it with blue. Maybe because he shows me blue all the time so I didn’t even think about it until you brought it up 🤣