Bank Note: Mexico, 10 Pesos

Present on this banknote is Polyhymnia, one of nine muses in Greek mythology. The muses were goddesses of arts, sciences, dance and song. They were also responsible for inspiring poets and artists alike in the creation of music, theater, literature, and other works of art and science. Polyhymnia is the muse of religious poetry, and therefore her domain extended into rhetoric, oratory, and sacred hymn. She often bears no attributes other than a pensive attitude as pictured above. She stands next to a shield with the word “PATRIA” (Patrimony) draped over an image of an eagle with a snake in its mouth, an emblem of Mexico. What is interesting about Polyhymnia’s appearance on this banknote is that she was often evoked when one wanted to exert eloquence for public speeches in the sphere of politics. Plausibly then, Polyhymnia is featured here to invoke eloquence for the nation’s political leaders.

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