This is an old revision of this page, as edited by The Warlock (talk | contribs) at 05:39, 29 July 2003 (+ etymology, Barbados, Shiva, gladiators, Devil, footnote). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 05:39, 29 July 2003 by The Warlock (talk | contribs) (+ etymology, Barbados, Shiva, gladiators, Devil, footnote)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)A trident (from Latin 'tridens', 'tridentis', from 'tri', three, 'dens', tooth, 'dentes', teeth) is a three pronged staff. It is often associated with Poseidon, the God of the sea in Greek mythology.
As a sea symbol it is the central figure of the flag of Barbados.
The trident is also the missile weapon of the Hindu god Shiva, and it often includes a crossed stabiliser to facilitate its fly when thrown.
As a weapon it was also used by some Roman gladiators that used a net to wrap their adversary and a trident to kill him.
In Christian tradition the trident is associated with the Devil, and his depictions commonly include a trident as his sceptre.
See also