In all human societies there has been some form of trade and exchange and with this the game as a way to get extra money. The people of ancient societies were enthusiastic about gambling and betting as much as today. In the same way, the risks were equally important. Therefore, it is not at all strange that they sought the help of gods and other minor divinities to achieve better luck.
Many players resort to amulets and lucky animals to get that card that gives them a winning hand in poker or blackjack. For in ancient times it was not much different. The ancient gods could also be of great help. We present some of the most well-known and important gambling divinities of the ancient world that will give you a hand in your bets.
Hermes: the god of commerce... and from the dice
Hermes is an interesting figure from antiquity. We all know his role as god of commerce and messenger of the gods.
As the god of commerce Hermes was also the protector of profits. ©Moonchild73/Pixabay
In reality, all these attributes meant that Hermes was able to establish a bridge of communication between Olympus and human beings , which took many different forms.
One of them was trade, also language or sacrifices through which humans sought to communicate with the divinities and... game.
An additional attribute of Hermes is that he was somewhat deceitful.
Thus granted wealth and fortune, that is, luck , for example, in the popular game of craps.
It is almost certain that the Greeks took many of the attributes of Hermes from its Egyptian equivalent, since communications between both cultures were frequent during antiquity.
Tot, the Egyptian Hermes
This god, whose Egyptian name was Dyehuty, is one of the best known in the mythology of Ancient Egypt. He is known as the god of wisdom, writing, spells and many other things. He was depicted with a human body and the head of an ibis bird or a baboon, animals sacred to Tot.
Legend also credits him with the creation of the 365-day calendar. The goddess of heaven Nut was barren for the 360 days of the year. To help Nut, Tot played with the moon 5 extra days at craps and won . Nut then gave birth to Osiris.
Xochipilli, the Aztec god of games
His name means Prince of Flowers . His cult is related to fertility and harvest , so it is not strange that he was the god of corn, so important in Mexican culture.
It was also the god of love, beauty and games . His cult is closely related to four other gods with similar attributes, such as Macuilxochitl, god of games such as tlachtli, a ritual sport, and betting. These deities were patrons of games, dances and sports. It was normal to pray to them before starting any of these.
Noqoilpi, the Navajo god
The mythology of the Navajo people is rich in legends and representations. ©Asatira/Pixabay
Legend has it that the god Noqoilpi descended from the heavens, whose attribute is a large turquoise stone.
His name means he who wins men at the game . When he arrived he challenged the Navajo people in all the games and competitions, winning in all of them.
However, many tribes continued to compete against Noqoilpi always losing, until a young Navajo guided by the gods tired of Noqoilpi's tricks challenged him.
After a whole series of games and competitions the young Navajo managed to beat Noqoilpi and send him to heaven .
The rich artistic culture of the Navajo Indians has fascinated generations of artists and had a great influence on the development of the environmental art .
Nezha, the game in Chinese culture
The god Nezha has a very peculiar history. Son of a military commander, the Heavenly King of the Pagoda, his mother had him in gestation for three years and six months .
When she gave birth she was actually a ball of meat and her father attacked her with the sword believing that it was a demon. The ball broke and the god was born already as a child and not a baby.
It is a protective god in Taoism and his official name is Marshal of the Central Altar. Mortals seek his protection and are said to ask him for help in lotteries and other games of chance.
Having been embroiled in a dispute in which her family was threatened, Nezha committed suicide. His master resurrected him using lotus roots .
Lotus flowers are also used in the game of keno , originally from China.
Laksmí, the goddess of good luck
A reference to the Hindu deities could not be missing from our list. It is said that it was born from the foam of the sea, a myth very similar to that of the birth of the goddess Venus .
Lakshmi is the wife of the god Vishnu. ©LoggaWiggler/Pixabay
In the Atharvaveda, a sacred text of Hinduism, the spirit of Laksmí it connotes good luck, fortune and prosperity . She is pictured wearing a red dress embroidered with gold threads.
In some representations he appears holding a vessel with coins that, as a symbol of wealth, means both material and spiritual wealth.
Thus, it is not surprising that all those who seek fortune or good luck revere her .
Most of all, she is worshiped during the festival of lights, Diwali, a festival that means the victory of light over darkness. This is also a period to go shopping, accumulate wealth and prosperity .
