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. However, having three tines does not weaken the spear’s ability to pierce through the fish.

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

Illustration of a trident user from the Wubei Zhi, late 16th to early 17th century

The word "trident" comes from the Latin words tridens or tridentis. "Tri" means "three" and "dentes" means "teeth," referring 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. Some think he used the trident to do this by striking the ground.

Fountain of Neptune in Diafáni, Karpathos island

In a famous sculpture by Gian Bernini, Neptune holds a trident downward, possibly showing a moment from old stories where he calms the waves to help Aeneas's ships.

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. Sometimes they carry other items like rudders, oars, fish, or dolphins.

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 Taoist ceremonies, a trident bell is used to call on gods and spirits, because the trident shows the highest power of Heaven.

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 as a tool 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.

Dutch fishermen using tridents in the 17th century.

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, appearing in astronomy and astrology.

The trident has been 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 seen in military symbols, like those of the Hellenic Navy and the United States Naval Special Warfare Command. It represents strength and connection to the sea in many different ways.

The Tryzub in the Coat of Arms of Ukraine, adopted in 1918 (in a reinterpretation of a medieval emblem which is traced to the Volodymyr the Great.
The national and presidential flags of Barbados.
The "forks of the people's anger", adopted by the Russian anti-Soviet revolutionary organization, National Alliance of Russian Solidarists (NTS).
Britannia, the personification of Great Britain usually depicted to hold 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 a recurring element in the colours of certain units of the Finnish Navy.
The United States Naval Special Warfare Command, and the Special Warfare insignia, particularly worn by members of the US Navy SEALs, and containing a trident representing the three aspects (Sea, Air, and Land) of SEAL special operations.
Part of the golden-colored crest of the United States Naval Academy, which depicts a trident running vertically in its background. In addition, the Naval Academy’s motto, Ex scientia tridens, literally translates from Latin as "From knowledge, a trident", though the official translation is "From knowledge, seapower" (i.e. using the association of the trident with Poseidon/Neptune and other sea gods as a metaphor for naval might).
The ship's crests of 13 of the 18 Ohio-class submarines of the U.S. Navy prominently feature tridents, as both a symbol of maritime power, and in reference to their payloads of Trident D-5 missiles.
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.