trident

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Poseidon sculpture holding a trident

A trident (pronounced /ˈtrаɪdənt/), also called a leister or gig, is a three-pronged spear. It is used for spear fishing and was formerly also a military weapon. Tridents feature widely in mythical, historical and modern culture. The sea god Poseidon or Neptune is classically depicted bearing a trident.

Note that a trident is not a pitchfork. A pitchfork is an agricultural tool with two to six tines (also called prongs) which are shaped in such a way that they can be used to lift and pitch (throw) loose material.

Etymology

The word "trident" comes from the French trident, which in turn comes from the Latin tridens or tridentis: tri "three" and dentes "teeth". Several Indian languages use a similar word for "trident", trishula(tri-three + shool-thorn), derived from Sanskrit, meaning "triple spear". The Greek equivalent is τρίαινα, tríaina, from Proto-Greek *trianja, threefold, cognate with the Latin triens.

Biology

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.^[1] Furthermore, in current botanical literature, certain bracts are stated to have a trident-shape (e.g. Douglas-fir)^[2].

Fishing

Tridents for 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.

Military use

Mosaic, 4th century BC, showing a retiarius or "net fighter", with a trident and cast net, fighting a secutor.

As a weapon, the trident was prized for its long reach and ability to trap other long-weapons between prongs to disarm their wielder. In Ancient Rome, in a parody of fishing, tridents were famously 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 kill him.^[3]

Symbolic use

Parallel to its fishing origins, the trident is associated with Poseidon, the god of the sea in Greek mythology, the Roman god Neptune, and Shiva, a Hindu god. In Greek myth, Poseidon used his trident to create water sources in Greece and the horse (from sea foam in a contest for the name of Athens). Poseidon, as well as being god of the sea, was also known as the "Earth Shaker" because when he struck the earth in anger he caused mighty earthquakes and he used his trident to stir up tidal waves, tsunamis and sea storms. In Roman myth, Neptune also used a trident to create new bodies of water and cause earthquakes. A good example can be seen in Gian Bernini's Neptune and Triton.

A trident also has references as:

• The missile weapon — trident or Trishula — of the Hindu god Shiva, and it often includes a crossed stabiliser to facilitate its flight when thrown.
• The national emblem on the flag of Barbados.
• The "forks of the people's anger", adopted by the Russian anti-Soviet revolutionary organization, National Alliance of Russian Solidarists (NTS).
• The symbol of the Swedish Coastal Rangers, Kustjägarna.
• The coat of arms of Ukraine (Tryzub) – the symbol of ancient Slavic tribes that once lived in Ukraine.
• Britannia, the personification of Great Britain (since before the Victorian era), depicted wielding a trident, symbolising Britain's naval power. It also is Poseidon's main weapon.
• The US Navy Special Warfare insignia, 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.
• The symbol (since June 2008) for the athletic teams (Tritons) at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.
• An element on the flag of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society

A statue of Hindu God Shiva, holding a trishula, near Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi

Dutch fishermen using tridents in the 17th century

Trident, Burmese, 18th century

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Tridents

• Trident in popular culture
• Eighteen Arms of Wushu
• Military fork
• Trishula
• Sai (weapon)
• Pitchfork
• Coat of arms of Ukraine

Notes

1. ^ 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
2. ^ C. Michael Hogan (2008) Douglas-fir: Pseudotsuga menziesii, globalTwitcher.com, ed. Nicklas Strõmberg)
3. ^ Roland Auguet [1970] (1994). Cruelty and Civilization: The Roman Games. London: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-10452-1.

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