Hades' name is actually only an Anglicized, shortened version of his
original Greek name, which is Aidoneus [Αιδωνευς].
The shorter version is more properly Aides [Αιδης]
or Ades.
The "H" is added
in the English language to make pronunciation clearer, just as names such as Hestia
[Εστια] and Hekate [Εκατη] gained the "H". Often words with a vowel at the
beginning, as in hierophant [ιεροφαντ] and hyacinth [υακινθος]
will feature an added "H" as well. This is not always the case, but
is a general rule for translation into English.
The
truly, deeply interesting thing about his original name is the pronunciation-- "Ay-DOHN-oos".
The "-eus" is always pronounced as it is used in the name of his
brother Zeus. "Eu", whether as a prefix, suffix, or in the middle of
a word, is not pronounced
separately to make it sound out "EE-us", as far too many people
think.
Therefore,
when said correctly, the true name of Hades / Aidoneus is pronounced almost identically
to "Adonis", and very easily supports my theory that Hyginus in his "Fables"
of the gods had less than zero clue what the hell he was talking about. Persephone
and Adonis? Get real. Just another case of mistaken identity for poor Hades.
As
for the actual meaning of the name Aidoneus itself, it is generally given
as "The Unseen". But by looking through words with the root of "aido",
"aide", "aiso", and even "adia", we can see much
more about the intention of naming him Aidoneus.
We find connections to his character through the following related words:
aidelos,
adelos
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making unseen,
annihilating, destroying, obscure
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aides
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unseen, annihilated
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aidnos
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unseen, dark
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aeides
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without form,
incorporeal
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aderkes
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unseen, invisible
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aidios
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everlasting, eternal,
forever
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aistos
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not to be seen,
unconscious
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aisimos
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will of the gods, destined,
fatal
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aidoios |
to regard with
reverence, august, venerable, deserving respect; also shamefaced, tender
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aidos, aideus |
shame, modesty,
self-respect, regard for others, compassionate
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adialytos |
undissolved, indissoluble
(*)
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adeies |
fearless, secure, confident
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aidoion, aidoia |
genitals
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(* Maybe
in relation to the
"Indissoluble Marriage" which took place by eating the pomegranate seed,
as that is one of the symbolic meanings of the fruit itself.)
Don't scoff at the last item. Pagans who understand this god also understand
that he is a phallic god because of his great affinity with the womb of the
earth itself, being found always within it, the solitary strong male influence
hidden away inside the feminine husk of the earth element. He is the epitome
of the Sacred Lover. Astrologically, his planet Pluto rules Scorpio, appropriately
seen as the most sexually compelling sign. To those of us who know him well,
Hades is very sensual, very sexual, but surprisingly modest as well,
hence the fact he is only credited with three relationships in his life (one
of which I strongly doubt). He can be quite compassionate toward those in his
realm, tempered further by his love for his wife, and is absolutely deserving
of the highest veneration. All of these words fit him amazingly well.
As
an interesting side note, the words "eido"
and "eidos", so similar to "aides",
actually mean the opposite -- "to see, be seen". Such a difference a few
letters can make.
S+S
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