Hera is the Queen of the Gods and is the wife and sister of Zeus
She is known for being the Goddess of Marriage & Birth. Despite being the Goddess of Marriage, she was known to be jealous and vengeful towards the many lovers and offspring of her husband Zeus.
She was also known to turn her anger towards mortals who crossed her as well – for example, Paris, who chose Aphrodite over Hera as the most beautiful goddess at the marriage of the sea-nymph Thetis to a mortal called Peleus.
In images and statues, Hera is portrayed as being majestic and solemn, crowned with the polos – a high cylindrical crown worn by many of the Great Goddesses.
Even before her marriage with Zeus, she ruled over the heavens and the Earth. This is one reason why she is referred to as ‘The Queen of Heaven’ – ruling over Mount Olympus where all the gods and goddesses live.
The Hera Line
As the wife of Zeus and queen of the Olympians, Hera’s family ties are central to many Greek myths. Her children include:
- Ares, the god of war,
- Hebe, the goddess of youth,
- Hephaestus, the god of fire and forge,
- Eileithyia, the goddess of childbirth.
Some myths account or Zeus being the father of all four of these children. Others claim that Hephaestus was a parthenogenouschild of Hera alone. There are also singular myths that present Angelos as another child of Zeus and Hera but the mythology around this is scarce.
Hera’s relationship with her husband Zeus is famously tumultuous, marked by jealousy and strife due to Zeus’s infidelities. Despite this, Hera remains loyal and committed to her role, embodying the ideals of marital fidelity and family unity. But oh boy can she be vengeful!
Even the great Zeus feared his wife Hera. Her never-ending hatred of Heracles, the illegitimate son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmene stemmed from his continuous adultery and, amongst other things, Hera raised a storm at sea in order to drive Heracles out of his course to kill him.
Zeus became so angry that he hung her in the clouds by a golden chain, and attached heavy anvils to her feet. Her son Hephaestus tried to release his mother from her humiliating position, for which Zeus threw him out of heaven, and his leg was broken by the fall.
Powers of Hera
Hera could control human bonds and relationships as well as fertility, birth and reproduction. She could make others pregnant or get pregnant herself – Hephaestus was born without help from Zeus.
Hera’s abilities also included manipulating curses, for example- transforming humans into beasts or making them insane. One nymph she cursed was Echo, who could only ever repeat the words of others.
Symbols of Hera
Hera is associated with several powerful symbols that reflect her Godly nature and domain. Among these, there are few that stand out the most:
Peaco*ck Feather
The peaco*ck feather stands out as a symbol of her all-seeing wisdom and vigilance. The eye-like patterns on the feathers represent Hera’s ever watchful gaze over the world. A reminder of her omniscience and her protective yet sometimes vengeful nature. Here’s chariot was also pulled by peaco*cks in Hellenistic imagery.
The Cow
The Cow is revered in many cultures for its maternal and nurturing qualities. In Hindu culture the Cow is symbolic of a mother and nurturing. It is the same in Greek mythology. The cow in this ancient culture is a nod to Hera’s role as a mother and protector of women. It symbolizes her connection to fertility and femininity too.
The Cuckoo Bird
The cuckoo bird also holds symbolic value, harking back to the tale of Zeus transforming into a cuckoo to win Hera’s affection. This symbolizes Hera’s role in the cycle of the seasons and her association with marital fidelity.
The Diadem (Polos) and Sceptre
The diadem (often depicted as a Polos crown) and sceptre are regal symbols of Hera’s authority and status as the queen of the gods. The diadem signifies her sovereignty, position as Queen of the Gods, and her dignity. The sceptre completes this particular symbolism, representing Hera’s power and rule over Mount Olympus and the heavens.
Lily Flower
The lily flower is associated with Hera in her nurturing of Heracles. Like the cow, the lily symbolizes motherhood and rebirth but also symbolizes purity. It is another nod toHera’s role as a maternal figure and a guardian of life’s cycles.
Hera Myths
Hera’s myths are quite complex at times. Often depicting her as a figure of authority, jealousy, and maternal protectiveness.
Hera & Leto
One of the most notable myths is her pursuit of Leto, who was pregnant with Zeus’s children, Artemis and Apollo. Hera’s ban on Leto giving birth on solid land highlights her vengeful nature, yet it also underscores her profound influence over the earth and its creatures.
Hera & Io
In the story of Io, Hera’s jealousy is again at the forefront in this myth. Zeus’s affair with Io, one of Hera’s priestesses, leads to a series of transformations and pursuits. I mean transformations quite literally, with Hera turning Io into a cow and setting Argus to watch over her. This myth illustrates the complex relationship between Hera and Zeus, and her relentless pursuit of justice. Albeit in a vengeful manner.
Heracles
The myth of Heracles, the son of Zeus and a mortal woman, further exemplifies Hera’s wrath. Heracles, born Alcides, faces the brunt of Hera’s fury from infancy. He survives numerous attempts on his life and later enduring the infamous ’12 Labours’ as a result of Hera’s induced madness. Yet, in a twist of fate, Heracles marries Hebe, Hera’s daughter, symbolizing a reconciliation of sorts.
Facts about Hera, Queen of the Olympian Gods
- Hera was Queen of the Olympian gods.
- She was the wife and sister of Zeus.
- Hera was a jealous wife, and she fought with Zeus frequently over his extramarital affairs and illegitimate children. For this reason, Hera was known for punishing offending husbands.
- She was the protector of women, presiding over marriages and births.
- She had three (or Four) children with Zeus – Hebe, Ares, and Eileithyia. Also Hephaestus by some accounts.
- While Hera was worshipped in all parts of Greece, temples were erected in her honor at Argos and Salmos.
- The peaco*ck was sacred to her.
- Hera had few, if any, redeeming qualities. She never forgot an injury.
- The Titans Ocean and Tethys brought her up.
- Hera is often described as “cow-faced,” although she was also called the chief among the immortals in beauty.
- Though she may have been physically attractive, her vindictive personality makes her less so.
- The Trojan War would have ended in peace, but Hera had a vested interest in its outcome and influenced Zeus to either switch sides or remain neutral.
- Hera had no concept of justice when angry or jealous; she could not forgive the women with whom Zeus had sexual relations—even if they were innocent of wrongdoing.
- Ilithyia, a daughter of Hera’s, assisted women in childbirth.
- In the story of the Quest of the Golden Fleece, Hera was a gracious protector of the heroes.
- Paris awarded Aphrodite the Golden Apple over Athena and Hera.
- Hera punished one of Zeus’s love interests, Io, by putting her in the charge of Argus. Argus had a hundred eyes and kept vigilant watch over her so that Zeus could not come to her aid.
- Hera turned Callisto into a bear because Zeus fell in love with her.
- Hera arranged the death of Semele, another of Zeus’s mortal conquests, although she did not directly cause it.
- Hera never forgave Hercules for being Zeus’s son, but when Hercules died and was taken to heaven, he and Hera reconciled. While in heaven, Hercules married Hera’s daughter Hebe.
- In some stories, it was at Hera’s orders that Dionysus was torn to pieces. He was brought back to life, and it is this resurrection that was celebrated in theatres.
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