What is the name of the Greek god Hermes’s winged hat?

The story behind the answer

The winged hat associated with the Greek god Hermes is called the petasos.

A petasos was a broad-brimmed Greek traveling hat, commonly connected with rural travel and outdoor life. In artistic depictions of Hermes, it may appear with wings attached, emphasizing the god’s speed and ability to cross boundaries.

Hermes’s hat is one of several visual attributes that identify him. His winged sandals express rapid movement, while his staff, the caduceus, represents his role as herald and messenger. These symbols were combined in later art even though ancient portrayals were not completely uniform.

The petasos is often confused with the Talaria because both can be shown with wings. The distinction is straightforward: the petasos is headwear, and the Talaria are footwear. The word can also refer to ordinary broad-brimmed hats, not only the divine version.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Sept. 2026

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