Trident

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Three-prong spear

title: "Trident" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["tridents", "3-(number)", "spears", "ancient-weapons", "fishing-equipment", "greek-sea-gods", "mythological-objects", "heraldic-charges", "poseidon", "harpoons"] description: "Three-prong spear" topic_path: "philosophy" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trident" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Three-prong spear ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b1/Poseidon_sculpture_Copenhagen_2005_hand.jpg" caption="[[Trident of Poseidon"] ::

A trident () is a three-pronged spear. It is used for spear fishing and historically as a polearm. As compared to an ordinary spear, the three tines increase the chance that a fish will be struck and decrease the chance that a fish will be able to dislodge itself if struck badly. On the other hand, they are not so many as to overly reduce the spear's concentration of force for piercing.

The trident is the tool of Poseidon (Greek) or Neptune (Roman) used for the protection of the sea realms, the god of the sea in classical mythology. Other sea deities such as Amphitrite or Triton were also often depicted with a trident in classical art. Later, tridents were used in medieval heraldry, sometimes held by a merman or triton. In Hinduism, it is the weapon of Shiva and is known as a trishula (Sanskrit for "triple-spear"). It is also associated with the superhero Aquaman. The trident is an important military (especially naval) symbol as an element for forces such as Hellenic Navy, United States Navy SEALs, United States Naval Academy, Cyprus Navy, and Nepali Army. It is included in many logos including the corporate logos of Maserati and Club Med and the athletic logos of Manchester United F.C. and Arizona State University.

Etymology

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5a/武備志_茅元儀_明朝六_48.jpg" caption="Illustration of a trident user from the ''[[Wubei Zhi]]'', late 16th to early 17th century"] ::

The word "trident" comes from the Latin word tridens or tridentis: tri meaning "three" and dentes meaning "teeth", referring specifically to the three prongs, or "teeth", of the weapon.

The Greek equivalent is {{linktext|τρίαινα}} (tríaina), from Proto-Greek trianja, meaning "threefold". The Greek term does not imply three of anything specific, and is vague about the shape, thus the assumption it was originally of "trident" form has been challenged.

Latin fuscina also means "trident".

The Sanskrit name for the trident, trishula, is a compound of tri त्रि for "three" and śūla शूल for "thorn", calling the trident's three prongs "thorns" rather than "teeth" or dant in Sanskrit, making the word "Tridant" for trident.

Mythology and art

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/75/Diafáni_–Fountain_of_Neptune-_1.jpg" caption="''Fountain of Neptune'' in Diafáni, [[Karpathos]] island"] ::

Poseidon

Main article: Trident of Poseidon

The trident is associated with the sea god Poseidon. This divine instrument is said to have been forged by the cyclopes.

Poseidon struck a rock with his trident, causing a sea (or a saltwater spring, called the Erechtheis) to appear nearby on the Acropolis in Athens.

Poseidon, as well as being the god of the sea, was also known as the "Earth Shaker", believed to cause earthquakes; some commentators have extrapolated that the god would have used the trident to cause them, possibly by striking the earth.

In the Renaissance artist Gian Bernini's sculpture Neptune and Triton (1622–23), Neptune is posed holding a trident turned downwards, and is thought to reenact a scene from Aeneid or Ovid's Metamorphoses where he is calming the waves to aid Aeneas's ships.

Other sea divinities

In later Greek and Roman art and literature, other sea deities and their attendants have been depicted holding the trident.

Poseidon's consort Amphitrite is often identified by some marine attribute other than a trident, which she never carries according to some scholars, though other commentators have disagreed.

Turning to the retinue or a train of beings which follow the sea deities (the marine thiasos) the Tritons (mermen) may be seen bearing tridents. Likewise, the Old Man of the Sea (halios geron) and the god Nereus are seen holding tridents. Tritons, other mermen, and the Nereides can also carry rudders, oars, fish, or dolphins.

Oceanus normally should not carry a trident, allowing him to be clearly distinguished from Poseidon. However, there is conflation of the deities in Romano-British iconography, and examples exist where the crab-claw headed Oceanus also bears a trident.{{Refn|Oceanus Mosaic from Withington; The "pavement from Ashcroft Villas, Cirencester" is also mentioned.}} Oceanus holding a trident has been found on Romano-British coinage as well.

Some amorini have been depicted carrying tiny tridents.

The trident is even seen suspended like a pendant on a dolphin in Roman mosaic art.

Hindu religion

In Hindu legends and stories Shiva, the Hindu god uses a trishula as his principal weapon. The trident is also said to represent three gunas mentioned in Indian Vedic philosophy namely sāttvika, rājasika, and tāmasika. The goddess Kali is sometimes portrayed with a trident as well.

A weapon of South-East Asian (particularly Thai) depiction of Hanuman, a character of Ramayana.

Miscellaneous

In religious Taoism, the trident represents the Taoist Trinity, the Three Pure Ones. In Taoist rituals, a trident bell is used to invite the presence of deities and summon spirits, as the trident signifies the highest authority of Heaven.

A fork that Jewish priests (Kohanim) used to take their portions of offerings.

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/43/Riistavesi.vaakuna.svg" caption="Riistavesi]]."] ::

In heraldry within the UK, the trident is often held by the figure identified as either a Neptune or a triton, or a merman.

The trident held up by an arm is depicted on some coats-of-arms.

Use

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/29/Trident_fishing_gallaeus.jpg" caption="Dutch fishermen using tridents in the 17th century."] ::

Fishing

In Ancient Greece, the trident was employed as a harpoon for spearing large fish, especially tuna fishing.

Tridents used in modern spear-fishing usually have barbed tines, which trap the speared fish firmly. In the Southern and Midwestern United States, gigging is used for harvesting suckers, bullfrogs, flounder and many species of rough fish.

Agriculture

It has been used by farmers as a decorticator to remove leaves, seeds and buds from the stalks of plants such as flax and hemp. A form of trident is used by the gardians in the Camargue of southern France for herding cattle.

Combat

In Ancient Rome tridents ( or {{linktext|fuscina}}) were used by a type of gladiator called a retiarius or "net fighter". The retiarius was traditionally pitted against a secutor, and cast a net to wrap his adversary and then used the trident to fight him.

Tridents were also used in medieval heraldry.

The trident, known as dangpa, is used as a weapon in the 17th- to 18th-century systems of Korean martial arts.

Modern symbolism

The glyph or sigil of the planet Neptune (♆), which alludes to the trident, is used in astronomy and astrology.

Political

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/95/Lesser_Coat_of_Arms_of_Ukraine.svg" caption="Coat of arms of Ukraine."] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ef/Flag_of_Barbados.svg" caption="The [[flag of Barbados]] incorporates a Trident."] ::

Civilian use

Military insignia

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8f/Hellenic_Navy_Seal.svg" caption="Emblem of the [[Hellenic Navy"] ::

  • 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

A number of structures in the biological world are described as trident in appearance. Since at least the late 19th century the trident shape was applied to certain botanical shapes; for example, certain orchid flora were described as having trident-tipped lips in early botanical works. Furthermore, in current botanical literature, certain bracts are stated to have a trident-shape (e.g. Douglas-fir).

Gallery

File:statueofshiva.JPG|A statue of Hindu God Shiva, holding a trishula, near Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi File:Stone Doors of an Early Medieval Tomb, Ching-pien County.jpg|Two guardian deities of an ancient Chinese tomb, both holding tridents File:Trident, Burmese, 18th century.JPG|18th-century trident from Thailand File:Tridents (Trishul) brought as offerings to Guna Devi., near Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh.jpg|Tridents (trishula) brought as offerings to Guna Devi, near Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India File:Mas de l'Amarée 15.JPG|Camargue trident in France

Explanatory notes

References

;Citations

;Bibliography

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References

  1. [https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=trident "Trident"] at the Online Etymology Dictionary. Accessed on 23 March 2024.
  2. (1879). "fuscina". Clarendon Press.
  3. [[Pseudo-Apollodorus]], ''[[Bibliotheca (Pseudo-Apollodorus). Bibliotheke]]'' 1.2. {{harvp. Frazer tr.. 1921, '''1''':11; {{URL
  4. [[Pseudo-Apollodorus]], ''[[Bibliotheca (Pseudo-Apollodorus). Bibliotheke]]'' 3.14. {{harvp. Frazer tr.. 1921, '''2''':79 and note 2; {{URL
  5. And according to Roman sources, Neptune struck the earth with the trident to produce the first [[warhorse]].Virgil, {{URL. Frazer tr.. 1921, '''2''':79 and note 2
  6. [[Hesiod]], ''[[Theogony]]'' 930.
  7. "The Oceanus Mosaic". The British Museum.
  8. [https://www.templepurohit.com/mantras-slokas-stotras/powerful-kali-mantra/ Powerful Kali Mantra for Protection - In Sanskrit, English with Meaning]
  9. "1 Samuel 2 / Hebrew Bible in English / Mechon-Mamre". mechon-mamre.org.
  10. "Fish Gigging: An Ozark Tradition". Missouri Department of Conservation.
  11. "Gladiatores".
  12. 0-415-10452-1.
  13. Kramer, Daniel. (April 25, 2023). "Mariners embrace Aquaman trident as home run prop". [[MLB Advanced Media]].
  14. John Lindley and Thomas Moore (1964) ''The Treasury of Botany: A Popular Dictionary of the Vegetable Kingdom with which is Incorporated a Glossary of Botanical Terms'', Published by Longmans Green, pt.1
  15. link. (2009-06-04)
  16. (9 April 2010). "Iron-willed 'hero' images". nypost.com.
  17. Burke, Bernard. (1864). "merman, Neptune, trident". Harrison & sons.
  18. Burkert, Walter. (1985). "The Athenian Acropolis: History, Mythology, and Archaeology from the Neolithic Era to the Present". Harvard University Press.
  19. Bury, John Bagnell. (1940). "The Cambridge Ancient History". University Press.
  20. Collignon, Maxime. (1890). "Manual of Mythology: In Relation to Greek Art". H. Grevel & Co..
  21. Eve, George W.. (1907). "Heraldry as Art: An Account of Its Development and Practice, Chiefly in England". Batsford.
  22. Fox-Davies, Arthur Charles. (1985). "The Art of Heraldry: An Encyclopaedia of Armory". T.C. & E.C. Jack.
  23. Hurwit, Jeffrey M.. (1999). "The Athenian Acropolis: History, Mythology, and Archaeology from the Neolithic Era to the Present". Cambridge University Press.
  24. Mackay, L. A.. (1946). "The Earthquake-Horse". Classical Philology.
  25. Montfaucon, Bernard de. (1724). "Les Dieux Des Grecs Et Des Romains: Suppl.". Delaulne.
  26. Moule, Thomas. (1842). "Heraldry of Fish: Notices of the Principal Families Bearing Fish in Their Arms". J. Van Voorst.
  27. Walters, H. B.. (1892–1893). "Poseidon's Trident". The Journal of Hellenic Studies.
  28. Wilkins, Ann Thomas. (2000). "Bernini and Ovid: Expanding the Concept of Metamorphosis". International Journal of the Classical Tradition.
  29. Wilson, R. J. A.. (2006). "Aspects of Iconography in Romano-British Mosaics: The Rudston 'Aquatic' Scene and the Brading Astronomer Revisited". Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies.
  30. Williams, J. H. C.. (1999). "Septimius Severus and Sol, Carausius and Oceanus: two new Roman acquisitions at the British Museum". The Numismatic Chronicle.

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tridents3-(number)spearsancient-weaponsfishing-equipmentgreek-sea-godsmythological-objectsheraldic-chargesposeidonharpoons