Hera, the revered Goddess of marriage, women, childbirth, and family, holds a significant place in divine mythology. As the Queen of the Gods, she supervises marital unions and serves as the protector of married women. Her lineage traces back to the Titans Kronos and Rhea, making her one of the principal deities alongside her siblings Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hestia, and Demeter. Hera shares a tumultuous yet powerful bond with Zeus, her brother and husband, both of whom rule over Mount Olympus. Together, they are parents to several prominent figures, including Angelos, Ares, Eileithyia, Enyo, Eris, Hebe, and Hephaestus. In Roman mythology, she is known as Juno.
Hera’s reputation is marred by intense jealousy, often overshadowing Zeus’s notorious infidelities. Her ire typically falls upon Zeus’s lovers, children, and any mortals who offend her. Conflicts on Olympus frequently arise from the pair’s disputes, often stemming from myriad scandalous affairs.
An infamous tale involves the love affair between Zeus and the mortal woman Lo. When Hera discovers this betrayal, she confronts Zeus, who morphs Lo into a white cow, claiming he procured the animal as a gift for Hera. However, Hera, unconvinced, takes Lo far from Olympus, binding her to a tree and assigning Argus, her most loyal servant adorned with a hundred eyes, to keep watch over the cow. Unable to rescue Lo without inciting Hera’s wrath, Zeus turns to Hermes for help. The clever messenger manages to serenade Argus into a deep sleep, leading to the latter’s demise. Heartbroken over the loss of her devoted servant, Hera honors Argus by placing his eyes within the plumage of the peacock, a symbol dear to her.
In retaliation, Hera dispatches a gadfly to torment Lo, who then roams the earth aimlessly. Eventually, Lo finds her way to Egypt, where the locals venerate her as Isis, the snow-white cow. Hera reluctantly allows Zeus to restore her human form, under the stipulation that he must never gaze upon her again. Thus, Lo gives birth to a son, who is destined to become the next king.
Symbols and Offerings
General Symbols
Hera is often associated with various symbols including the scepter, throne, peacock feather, diadem, and even celestial elements like the Milky Way.
Botanical Associations
She is linked to a myriad of plants such as pomegranate, lilies, and white flowers like water lilies and roses.
Animal Symbols
Common animals attributed to Hera include the peacock, cow, lion, and other regal creatures.
Color Palette
Her colors are often identified as rose, iris, and shades associated with luxury and elegance.
Precious Stones and Metals
As a powerful deity, Hera’s symbols include valuable substances like silver, pearls, garnet, and various gemstones recognized in divine lore.
Aromatic Preferences
She is connected to a range of scents that evoke richness and warmth, such as jasmine and myrrh.
Prayers and Invocations
Devotees often turn to Hera for blessings pertaining to marriage, family well-being, and safe childbirth. Prayers may also focus on seeking protection for loved ones or retribution against unfaithful partners.
An invocation to Hera celebrates her as the dignified queen of Olympus and the insightful goddess, known for her wisdom and protective nature. Worshippers express their devotion through eloquent praises of her beauty and strength, which epitomizes the harmony of home and family life.
Hera remains a powerful emblem of love and fidelity, admired by those who seek her guidance and favor in their lives.
