In Roman mythology, a god of commerce and gain, and messenger of the gods. He was identified with the Greek Hermes, and similarly represented with winged sandals and a winged staff entwined with snakes.
A temple near the Circus Maximus was dedicated to him, and his festival was celebrated on 25 May by the mercuriales, members of a college regulating the corn trade.
Ghana was the first country to adopt the pan-African colours. The star is known as the ‘lode star of African freedom’. Effective date: 28 February 1966.