Which animal is sacred to the Greek god Hermes?

The tortoise is sacred to the Greek god Hermes.

In one famous myth, the infant Hermes discovered a tortoise and used its shell to create the first lyre. He fitted the shell with strings made from animal sinew, producing an instrument that he later gave to Apollo. The story connects the tortoise with Hermes’s inventiveness, craftsmanship, and ability to turn an ordinary object into something culturally valuable.

Hermes had several other important symbols, including the herald’s staff, winged sandals, and a traveler’s hat. The tortoise is less visually dominant than those attributes, but it has a specific place in the mythology of his birth and early exploits.

The animal should not be confused with creatures associated with other Greek gods. Zeus was linked with the eagle, Athena with the owl, and Apollo with several animals and prophetic symbols. The tortoise’s strongest connection to Hermes comes from the myth of the lyre’s invention.