Talaria (Latin: talaria, Ancient Greek: πτηνοπέδιλος; πτερόεντα πέδαλα) are winged sandals, a symbol of the Greek messenger god Hermes (Roman equivalent Mercury). They were said to be made by the god Hephaestus of imperishable gold and they flew the god as swift as any bird.[citation needed] The name is from the Latin talaria, neuter plural of talaris, "of the ankle".