The columns of Hercules are two large columns of mythological origin, located in parallel in the Strait of Gibraltar and which according to legend indicate the limit of the world known to the Greeks in ancient times. Currently its function is to show the limit where the Mediterranean Sea ends and where the Atlantic Ocean begins. The beliefs about its construction are varied since according to the Phoenicians they were called Melkart columns, for the Greeks these columns were called "columns of Heracles, until the Romans who called them the columns of Hercules, under the motto" Non Terrae Plus Ultra ”which means“ there is no land beyond ”, a name that is currently preserved.
There are many legends about the origin of his name, some of them are: Aristotle maintains that the columns that are named "Hercules", before had another name, were called Briareo, but once Heracles cleans the land and the sea, this one became the protector of the men and these exalted him removing the name of Briareo and placing them the columns of Heracles.
Another myth indicates that Heracles, sailed in search of the Oxen of Geriòn, however, when sailing for a long time he reached a point where everything was darkness, where he could not visualize anything else, so he built two columns that served as signal to warn the other navigators that there was the end of the sea and that beyond the columns it was not possible to transit. According to the geography of estrabòn, in that area there were two bronze pillars that were part of the Gaditan temple dedicated to Heracles. Being considered a place where many pilgrims offered sacrifices in gratitude for a journey full of tranquility and happy ending.
King Carlos I of Spain wanted to incorporate the symbol of the columns as an external element in his coat of arms with the motto “Plus Ultra”. This heraldic element has persisted on some occasions with greater or lesser appearance in the monarchical trajectory of Spain. However, at present the symbol of the columns does not appear on the shield of the King of Spain, although it still remains on the shield.
