Supreme goddess, sister and wife to the mighty Zeus, protector of marriage and family. Hera was the beautiful Queen of Olympus, who betrayed by her husbands infidelity, was filled with a jealous rage.
Hera was born to Titans Cronus and Rhea. When she was born she was swallowed by Cronus, but soon with a plan devised by Gaia and Rhea (who was tired of losing her children), Hera was regurgitated along with four others.
Hera was the goddess of marriage. She looked over and protected married women and her children. Hera would assist women in getting financial security and bring them fertility.
Hera’s stunning beauty caught the eyes of Zeus and he began courting her. Hera was not impressed with his courtship and when he was unsuccessful, he turned to trickery.
Zeus turned himself into a cuckoo and looked to be frozen from the cold winter weather. Hera, being the nurturing goddess she was, picked up the bird and held it against her breast to warm it. Zeus then turned into his normal shape and took advantage of Hera, who was in a state of shock. To hide her shame of the incident, Hera married Zeus.
Together the two had three children; Ares, god of war; Eileithyia, goddess of childbirth; and Hebe, goddess of youth.
Hera was a very jealous wife and was greatly angered when Zeus gave birth to Athena from his head, without the help of Hera. In retaliation, Hera produced and gave birth to Hephaestus without the assistance of Zeus. Hephaestus, unfortunately was rather ugly and lame, Zeus was not at all impressed. Disgusted and mad as the Hades, Hera cast Hephaestus from Mount Olympus.
Even though Hera was very beautiful, Zeus would constantly stray and he had many mistresses. Hera would watch Zeus from a high place, so as to keep as eye on his activities. Many times, out of jealousy, Hera would interfere with Zeus’s mistresses often causing harm or changing them into animals. She would take her revenge out on them because Zeus was invincible and she could not touch him.
Hera tried at one time to take Zeus, and she convinced other gods to help. Hera’s little revolt failed, as she herself was the one who was punished.
Hera was also known to take her anger out of other goddesses. She turned Antigones hair into serpents after Antigone claimed to have more beautiful hair than Hera did. During the Trojan War, Hera sided with the Trojans because Paris had chosen Aphrodite as more beautiful than Hera in a beauty contest.
Hera may have been the goddess of marriage, family and childbearing, but she is also greatly remembered for her jealousy and vengeful nature. Her main symbols were the pomegranate and the peacock, they represented fertility. Hera is also portrayed as a very beautiful and stunning woman, wearing a crown, full length beautiful gowns and gold sandals. Her chariot and throne were also made of pure gold.
A wife, sister, daughter, goddess and mother, Hera is one of the most unforgettable goddesses in mythology.
Sources:
Wikipedia
ancient history.about.com
Edweb.sdsu.edu
