Who was Hermes Trismegistus?

Hermes Trismegistus, ‘thrice-great Hermes’, is the legendary father of alchemy, the name under which the Emerald Tablet, the Golden Tractate and the Hermetic writings were handed down. He was never a single historical person: the figure joins the Greek god Hermes with Thoth, the Egyptian god of writing and wisdom, and many authors over many centuries wrote under his name.

Thrice-great

The Emerald Tablet explains the name itself. In Newton’s translation: “Hence I am called Hermes Trismegist, having the three parts of the philosophy of the whole world.”

Hermes and Thoth

In Greek-speaking Egypt, the Greeks identified their messenger god Hermes with Thoth, the Egyptian god of writing and wisdom. Writings on philosophy, astrology, magic and alchemy collected under the name of Hermes from the first centuries AD onward are called Hermetic, and so is a vessel sealed airtight, from the alchemists’ way of sealing their glass.

For Thoth in ancient Egypt itself, see Who is Thoth, the Egyptian god of writing? in Egypt: Secrets of the Gods.

What was written under his name

In the old masters’ words

“If thou hast understanding, there be but few things unopened.” Hermes Trismegistus, The Golden Tractate

In Lead to Gold

The Emerald Tablet and the Golden Tractate are both in Lead to Gold’s Library, with notes in plain words.

Last updated October 28, 2026.

Lead to Gold: Shadow Work, on Google Play

The alchemists’ Great Work, made into ten quiet minutes a day: twelve gates, a private journal, and a line of wisdom from the old masters. Free to download, for Android.

Get it on Google Play

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