Trident A trident , also called a trishula , leister or gig , is a three - pronged spear . It is used for spear fishing and was also a military weapon . Tridents are featured widely in mythical , historical and modern culture . Poseidon the Greek god of the sea , Greco - Roman Poseidon , or Neptune the Roman god of the sea , and the major Hindu Lord and God Shiva are all classically depicted bearing a trident . Tridents can be distinguished from pitchfork s in that the latter is an agricultural tool with two to six tines ( also called prongs ) which are shaped in such a way that they can be used to lift and pitch ( throw ) loose material . Etymology . The word " trident " comes from the French word " trident " , which in turn comes from the Latin word " tridens " or " tridentis " : " tri " " three " and " dentes " " teeth " . It is also related to Sanskrit " tri " ( त्रि " three " ) - " danta " ( दंत " tooth " ) , although several Indian languages prefer another similar word , " trishula " ( " tri " त्रि " three " + " ṣūla " शूल " thorn " ) , derived from Sanskrit , meaning " triple spears " . The Cyrillic " Тризуб " ( " Trizub " ) is a combination of two words Tri ( three ) and zub ( tooth ) . Tryzub is the Coat of Arms of Ukraine which takes its roots from the Kievan Rus , descendants of Rurik . The Greek equivalent is " τρίαινα " ( " tríaina " ) , from Proto - Greek " trianja " ( threefold ) , cognate with the Latin " triens " . The Greek deity Poseidon is armed with a trident . Biology . A number of structures in the biological world are described as " trident " in appearance . Since at least the late 19th century the trident shape was applied to certain botanical shapes ; for example , certain orchid flora were described as having trident - tipped lips in early botanical works . Furthermore , in current botanical literature , certain bract s are stated to have a trident - shape ( e . g . Douglas - fir ) . Uses . Fishing . Tridents for fishing usually have barbed tines which trap the speared fish firmly . In the Southern and Midwestern United States , " gigging " is used for harvesting suckers , bullfrog s , flounder , and many species of rough fish . Combat . As a weapon , the trident was prized for its long reach and ability to trap other long - weapons between prongs to disarm their wielder . In Ancient Rome , in a parody of fishing , tridents were famously used by a type of gladiator called a retiarius or " net fighter " . The retiarius was traditionally pitted against a secutor , and cast a net to wrap his adversary and then used the trident to kill him . Symbolism / mythology . Parallel to its fishing origins , the trident is associated with Poseidon , the god of the sea in Greek mythology , the Roman god Neptune , and Shiva , a Hindu God who holds a trident in his hand . In Greek myth , Poseidon used his trident to create water sources in Greece and the horse . Poseidon , as well as being god of the sea , was also known as the " Earth Shaker " because when he struck the earth in anger he caused mighty earthquakes and he used his trident to stir up tidal waves , tsunamis and sea storms . In Roman myth , Neptune also used a trident to create new bodies of water and cause earthquakes . A good example can be seen in Gian Bernini ' s " Neptune and Triton " . In religious Taoism , the trident represents the Taoist Trinity , the Three Pure Ones . In Taoist rituals , a trident bell is used to invite the presence of deities and summon spirits , as the trident signifies the highest authority of Heaven . A trident also has references as :