Gods & Goddess Wiki
Gods & Goddess Wiki
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Hera Juno Greek Goddess Art 01-224x300
Hera
Biographical Information
Deity of:
  • Queen of the Gods
  • Goddess of Marriage, Women and Birth
Abode:
  • Mount Olympus
Symbol:
  • Pomegranate, Peacock feather, Diadem, Cow, lily
Relationships
Consort:
Children:
Parents:
Siblings:
Roman equivalent:
Relevant Pages
GALLERY

Hera (/ˈhɛrə/, Greek Ἥρα, Hēra, equivalently Ἥρη, Hērē, in Ionic and Homer) is the wife and one of three sisters of Zeus in the Olympian pantheon of Greek mythology and religion. Her chief function was as the goddess of women and marriage. Her counterpart in the religion of ancient Rome was Juno. The cow, lion and the peacock were considered sacred to her. Hera's mother is Rhea and her father Cronus.

Portrayed as majestic and solemn, often enthroned, and crowned with the polos (a high cylindrical crown worn by several of the Great Goddesses), Hera may bear a pomegranate in her hand, emblem of fertile blood and death and a substitute for the narcotic capsule of the opium poppy. Scholar of Greek mythology Walter Burkert writes in Greek Religion, "Nevertheless, there are memories of an earlier aniconic representation, as a pillar in Argos and as a plank in Samos."

Hera was known for her jealous and vengeful nature against Zeus's lovers and offspring, but also against mortals who crossed her, such as Pelias. Paris also earned Hera's hatred by choosing Aphrodite as the most beautiful goddess.

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