On many stamps that have been issued, the images of these deities have been used to evoke the very function of the mail, recalling the origins of messenger services and also establishing a link between mythology and the function of postal services. The Flash is a superhero whose appearance and powers are very similar to those of the character from Greek myth – and his girlfriend’s name is Iris West! The main character of the popular US TV series “The Flash” (2014), based on the eponymous superhero comic book, is the “fastest man in the world”. Several characters from the world of science fiction have been inspired by figures from classical mythology. One example is RedIRIS, the information network that links universities and research centres. ![]() ![]() For example, their names have been used for many different projects linked with telecommunications and high-speed services. The names of these two deities are still very present even today, and they have been updated to serve new functions. However, his most recognisable attribute is his caduceus, the winged staff with two snakes wrapped around it and shown facing each other. Generally speaking, he is portrayed with certain specific features: winged sandals, a purse, and a typical Greek wide-brimmed hat called a petasos, decorated with wings, one on each side. Classical Greek literature often portrays him as a joker and a trickster, and he is frequently shown disguised as other gods, whether it be for his own personal reasons or for the benefit of humanity. In addition, he is the patron saint of shepherds, thieves, liars and orators, of creativeness, trade, literature and poetry, and of sport and travellers. Another of Hermes’ tasks is to carry secret ( hermetic) messages and to decipher them for their recipients he is also the interpreter ( hermeneutics) of secrets that are transmitted orally to the rest of the gods of Olympus. He is also responsible for accompanying souls on their journey after death, into the afterlife. A speedy, ingenious emissary, an intermediary between humanity and the gods, he moves freely between the mortal and the divine planes. Hermes, meanwhile, is considered as the god of borders and transitions. She is sometimes confused, thanks to her appearance, with Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, whose name is now a well-known brand of sporting goods. Another of the goddess’ tasks was to replenish rain clouds with water from the sea. She is often shown carrying Hermes’ caduceus and a jug of water from the Styx, which she uses to put to sleep all those who perjure themselves. Iris is portrayed in different ways: sometimes as a rainbow, but also as a young woman with wings. As messenger to the gods, she travelled at the speed of the wind from one side of the world to the other, down to the ocean’s depths and to the underworld. She was also one of the goddesses of the sea and the sky. Iris is the personification of the Arch of St Martin (or the rainbow, which connects the world of the gods with humanity) and is also the herald of the end of storms. Thus it is no surprise that the design of stamps issued in the late 19 th century and the first half of the 20 th should take their inspiration from these characters, given that they are allegorical representations of the function of the postal service. However, beyond the earthly realm, the Greek deities also needed to send messages, and this transmission of information is personified, within the pantheon of Greek deities, by the figures of Iris and Hermes. ![]() Everybody knows that communication is crucial for human relations.
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