Trident

A trident is a three-pronged spear. It is used for spear fishing and was historically used as a polearm. The three tines of a trident make it more likely to hit a fish and harder for the fish to escape if it is struck.

In stories from ancient times, the trident is the tool of Poseidon, the god of the sea for the Greek people, or Neptune, the same god for the Roman people. It was used to protect the sea realms. Other sea gods and goddesses, like Amphitrite and Triton, were also often shown with a trident in old art.

Over time, tridents appeared in symbols used in medieval times and were held by sea creatures in drawings. In Hinduism, the trident is a weapon of the god Shiva and is called a trishula. The trident is also used by the superhero Aquaman. Today, the trident is an important symbol for many naval forces, like the Hellenic Navy, United States Navy SEALs, and United States Naval Academy. You can also see the trident in logos for companies like Maserati and Club Med, as well as sports teams such as Manchester United F.C. and Arizona State University.

Etymology

The word "trident" comes from the Latin words tridens or tridentis. "Tri" means "three" and "dentes" means "teeth." This refers to the three prongs of the weapon.

The Greek word for a similar tool is tríaina, which also means something with three parts. Another Latin word, fuscina, also means "trident." In Sanskrit, the word trishula combines "tri" for "three" and "śūla" for "thorn," describing the trident's prongs as thorns.

Mythology and art

Poseidon

The trident is linked to the sea god Poseidon. It is said to have been made by the cyclopes.

Poseidon struck a rock with his trident, creating a sea or a saltwater spring called the Erechtheis near the Acropolis in Athens. Roman stories say that Neptune used the trident to make the first warhorse by hitting the earth.

Poseidon was also called the "Earth Shaker" because people believed he caused earthquakes.

In a famous sculpture by Gian Bernini, Neptune holds a trident downward, possibly showing a moment from old stories.

Other sea divinities

In later Greek and Roman stories and art, many sea gods and their helpers are shown with tridents.

Poseidon's partner Amphitrite is usually shown with other sea symbols, not a trident. However, some think she might carry one sometimes.

The Tritons, who are like mermen, often carry tridents. Other sea beings like the Old Man of the Sea and the god Nereus also hold tridents.

Usually, Oceanus does not carry a trident to stay different from Poseidon. But in some old Roman-British art, Oceanus is shown with a trident, especially on coins.

Some small sea spirits called amorini are also shown with tiny tridents.

The trident can even be seen hanging like a decoration on a dolphin in Roman art.

Hindu religion

In Hindu stories, the god Shiva uses a trishula as his main weapon. The trident also stands for three important ideas in Indian philosophy: sāttvika, rājasika, and tāmasika. The goddess Kali is sometimes shown with a trident too.

The trident is also used in stories from South-East Asia, especially in Thailand, where it appears with Hanuman, a character from the Ramayana.

Miscellaneous

In Taoism, the trident stands for the Taoist Trinity, the Three Pure Ones.

In heraldry in the UK, the trident is often held by figures like Neptune or a triton, or a merman.

The trident held high is shown on some coats-of-arms.

Use

Fishing

Long ago in Ancient Greece, people used the trident to catch big fish, like tuna. Today, fishers use tridents in spear-fishing. These tridents have sharp points that hold the fish tightly once it is caught. In some parts of the Southern and Midwestern United States, people use a special way of fishing called gigging to catch fish such as suckers, bullfrogs, flounder, and other rough fish.

Agriculture

Farmers have used the trident to remove leaves, seeds, and buds from plants like flax and hemp. In southern France, a group of people called the gardians use a trident-like tool to guide their cattle.

Combat

In Ancient Rome, tridents were used by a type of fighter called a retiarius, or "net fighter." These fighters would throw a net to wrap up their opponent and then use the trident to defend themselves. Tridents also appeared in medieval symbols and were used as a weapon in old Korean martial arts.

Modern symbolism

The trident is a symbol linked to the planet Neptune. You can see it in astronomy and astrology.

The trident is used in many places and by many groups. It appears in the Coat of Arms of Ukraine and on flags of places like Barbados. It is also a symbol for teams and schools, such as the University of California, San Diego and the Seattle Mariners baseball team.

The trident is also used in military symbols, like those of the Hellenic Navy and the United States Naval Special Warfare Command. It shows strength and connection to the sea in many ways.

• The Tryzub in the Coat of Arms of Ukraine, adopted in 1918.
• The national and presidential flags of Barbados.
• Britannia, the personification of Great Britain, usually shown holding a trident.
• The emblem of the Hellenic Navy
• The emblem of the Cyprus Navy
• The insignia of Nepal Army
• With Poseidon in the 31st Brigade.
• The symbol of the Swedish Coastal Rangers, Kustjägarna.
• The trident is used in the colours of some units of the Finnish Navy.
• The United States Naval Special Warfare Command, and the Special Warfare insignia, worn by members of the US Navy SEALs.
• Part of the golden-colored crest of the United States Naval Academy, which shows a trident.
• The ship's crests of 13 of the 18 Ohio-class submarines of the U.S. Navy feature tridents.
• The rating badge of the United States Coast Guard Marine Science Technician.
• The Tug Banner used by Mongolian Honor guards.
• The insignia of the German commando force, Kampfschwimmer.
• The rating badge of the United States Navy Ocean Systems Technician (OT)

Botanical nomenclature

Some plants have parts that look like a trident. Scientists have used the word "trident" to describe the shape of certain flowers and leaves for a long time. For example, some orchids have flower parts that look like a trident, and some bracts on Douglas-fir trees also have this shape.