Hera was the queen of the gods and goddess of marriage, women, childbirth and family in Greek mythology. She was the daughter of Cronus and Rhea, wife and sister of Zeus. Some of her children include Hephaestus, Hebe and Ares. As the wife of Zeus, she was known for her jealous and vengeful nature against Zeus's lovers and offspring. She was also the patron and protector of married women. As an immortal goddess, Hera did not die.
2. Goddess of:
QUEEN OF HEAVEN:
Patron of: the Air, Clear skies, Rain, Storms,
Favor: Clear skies, Rain-showers, Cool-breezes
Curse: Storms
GODDESS OF KINGS & EMPIRES
Patron of: Kings, Kingdoms, Empires, Royal dynasties, Politics
GODDESS OF MARRIAGE
Patron of: Maidens of marriageable age, Betrothals, Bride-price
Weddings, Marriage, Wives, Fidelity, Widows
Favor: Good betrothal, Marital harmony
Curse: Marital discord, Punishment of adulterers
GODDESS OF
WOMEN'S FERTILITY
Patron of: Menstruation; Women's fertility
3. What were her symbols,
attributes, sacred plants and animals?
SACRED PLANTS / FLOWERS:
Pomegranate, Willow, Lotus / waterlily
SACRED ANIMALS:
Heifer / young cow, Lion
SACRED BIRDS:
Cuckoo, Peacock, Wide-winged hawk, Crane
PLANET OF HERA:
Venus, the Roman goddess of love identified with Aphrodite. The
Greeks called the planet "Aster Aphroditas" or "Aster Heras¡¯¡¯, for
the women's star was shared between the two goddesses.
4. Who were the family
& attendants of Hera?
FATHER:
KRONOS Deposed Titan-King of the Gods, son of Ouranos the sky & Gaia the earth
MOTHER:
RHEA Former Titan-Queen of the Gods, daughter of Ouranos the sky & Gaia the earth
HUSBAND:
ZEUS King of the Gods
DIVINE CHILDREN:
ARES God of War
HEPHAISTOS God of Metalworking
HEBE Goddess of Youth and Brides
EILEITHYIA Goddess of Childbirth
ERIS Goddess of Strife (including marital)
ATTENDANTS & MINIONS:
EILEITHYIA Goddess of Childbirth
HEBE Goddess of Youth
IRIS Goddess of the Rainbow
THE HORAI Goddesses of the Seasons & Heavenly Law and Order
OKEANIDES Cloud-Nymphai
As Queen of Heaven, most of the gods would do her bidding
5. Popular myths
of Hera!
* Hera and her siblings were swallowed at birth by their
father Cronus. Zeus later conscripted Metis to feed the
Titan-King a draught which made him disgorge the five.
* After Zeus birthed Athena from his head, Hera conceived
her own child without intercourse. This son was born
deformed, and Hera cast him out of heaven in disgust.
Hephaistos, when grown, trapped his mother on a
magical, binding throne as punishment of her earlier
rejection.
8. Hera is a daughter of Cronus and Rhea, and wife and sister of Zeus. The
children of Hera and Zeus are Hephaestus, Hebe, Ares. Some sources
say her children were conceived without the help of a man, either by
slapping her hand on the ground or by eating lettuce. Hera was known
for her jealous and vengeful nature, mostly against Zeus's lovers and
offspring, but also against mortals who crossed her. The greatest and
earliest free-standing temple to Hera was the Heraion of Samos. Hera
was the stepmother and enemy of Heracles. Hera is Zeus wife and sister.
She was raised by the Titans Ocean and Tethys. Shea is the supreme
goddess, goddess of marriage and childbirth and takes special care of
married women.
9. Why is she famous?
She is famous because of her birth, and her stories!
10. When did Hera die?
She didn¡¯t! Gods and goddess can¡¯t die!
11. What makes a good
story?
A good story is made by having something
interesting. Like, Hera was swallowed by her own
father! I find that very interesting, and it makes me
want to read more about Greek mythology!