Mercury is the smallest and innermost planet in our Solar System. It is named after the Greek god Hermes (Ερμής), translated from the Latin, Mercurius. Mercury is god of commerce, messenger of the gods, and the mediator between all gods and mortals. Mercury, one of the seven planetary metals, can mean both the element and the planet. Mercury is the only common metal which is liquid at normal tempe
ratures. In ancient times, mercury was known as quicksilver, and it was believed to be able to shift between liquid and solid states. Therefore, in alchemy, mercury was believed to shift between life and death, or heaven and earth. Mercury is often represented by a serpent or a snake, and its symbol is said to have strong feminine qualities and even resemble a cosmic womb.