Question about the etymology of "mercury"

AH020387 · 01-08-2012

Why is the planet mercury named after a metal?!

**Metafizzypop** · 01-08-2012

The metal is named after the planet. Rather, the metal is named after the god. Mercury was the swift-moving winged messenger of the Roman pantheon. The metal mercury is also swift moving. It's very viscous and flows easily, so it works well in thermometers and stuff.

The planet is not named after the metal. It's named after the god.

**rachelcat** · 02-08-2012

I agree that the metal is named after the planet (that is in turn named after the god).

In the Middle Ages and Rennaissance, the metals were tightly connected to planets. The astrological glyphs for the planets were routinely used as glyphs/names of the metals. (By astrologers, alchemists, and early chemists.)

But then there were the commonplace English names for metals, too, that we use today (iron, copper, etc). The common name for mercury was "quicksilver," but maybe "mercury" became the standard name to save confusion with silver?

AH020387 Resident Join Date: 25 Nov 2011 Location: ontario, canada Posts: 18	Question about the etymology of "mercury" Why is the planet mercury named after a metal?!

01-08-2012	Ask a Professional Tarot Reader Top #1

Metafizzypop Citizen Join Date: 01 Oct 2007 Location: The Collective Unconscious Posts: 1,152	The metal is named after the planet. Rather, the metal is named after the god. Mercury was the swift-moving winged messenger of the Roman pantheon. The metal mercury is also swift moving. It's very viscous and flows easily, so it works well in thermometers and stuff. The planet is not named after the metal. It's named after the god. __________________ Show me a sane man and I will cure him for you. - Carl Jung Last edited by Metafizzypop; 01-08-2012 at 20:48.

01-08-2012	Ask a Professional Tarot Reader Top #2

rachelcat XII. The Hanging Cat Join Date: 30 Oct 2004 Location: Washington, D.C. Posts: 2,675	I agree that the metal is named after the planet (that is in turn named after the god). In the Middle Ages and Rennaissance, the metals were tightly connected to planets. The astrological glyphs for the planets were routinely used as glyphs/names of the metals. (By astrologers, alchemists, and early chemists.) But then there were the commonplace English names for metals, too, that we use today (iron, copper, etc). The common name for mercury was "quicksilver," but maybe "mercury" became the standard name to save confusion with silver? __________________ Ask me about Arcana Stones! breathe in peace, breathe out love

02-08-2012	Ask a Professional Tarot Reader Top #3

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