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.
The mon, the central red disc, is called Hi-no-maru or sun-disc. The disc is set slightly towards the hoist. White symbolizes honesty and purity. Effective date: 5 August 1854.