Throughout history, humans have looked to the sky and associated the motions of the planets with certain deities and their characteristics, and Mercury is no different. This small planet represents a world of extremes. It's the fastest-moving in our solar system, yet it sometimes appears to move backward. It is the hottest planet and the closest to the sun, but it's believed to have icy poles. Its contradictions and complexities are personified in symbolism dating back to the ancient Sumerians.
Intrigued? Click on the gallery to explore scientific facts, ancient beliefs, and modern mysticism about the planet Mercury.