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15 Intriguing Facts About Hera the Greek Goddess

In the ancient Greek religion, Hera is seen as the goddess of marriage, women, and family, as well as the protector of women during birth. She is known as the Queen of the Twelve Olympians and Mount Olympus, sister, and wife of Zeus, as well as the daughter of Titans, Cronus, and Rhea in Greek mythology.

Hera is known for one of the defining characteristics of her jealous and vengeful nature when she deals with those who offend her. An example is of Zeus鈥� numerous illegitimate offspring and adulterous lovers. Hera became the consort and queen of Olympus after Zeus overthrew his father in the great battle between the Titans and the Olympus.

This is how she assumed a position of immense power and authority. Hera symbolized commitment, fidelity, and the sanctity of marriage. Newlyweds and those hoping to conceive always sort for her blessings.

To symbolize fertility, Hera wore a crown or a diadem and carried a scepter or a pomegranate. She choose peacocks as her sacred animals which represented her beauty and watchfulness.

Here are the 15 Intriguing Facts About Hera the Greek Goddess:

1. Hera is Better Known as the Ancient Greek Goddess of Marriage, Family & Childbirth

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The ancient Greeks are known to have several gods and goddesses who they worshipped and looked up to in various situations. Hera is one of the goddesses of the ancient Greek and is widely regarded as one of the greatest.

She is better known as the Ancient Greek goddess of marriage, family, and childbirth. Newlyweds and people who seek to conceive always sort for her blessings.

Read 10 Facts To Know About The Greek God Hades.

2. She is The Queen of gods, Wife & Sister of Zeus

Hera is known as the daughter of Titan Cronus and her mother, Rhea who was also the sister of Cronus. Greek mythology state that Cronus was fated to be overthrown by one of his children who he swallowed other than Zeus, his last child.

Zeus lured Cronus to regurgitate all his siblings including Hera and led a revolt against him which he won. Hera was then married to Zeus, her husband, and wife, and became the queen of gods.

3. Hera鈥檚 Relationship with Zeus was Turbulent as She was Always Jealous

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The relationship between Hera and Zeus was turbulent as she was always jealous of his infidelity. She became fiercely envious of him and his children, which led to Zeus threatening and beating her. He cheats on her and has numerous children with other goddesses and mortal women.

After an argument with Zeus, Hera walked away from him and went to Euboea without a change of mind. Then-local king, Cithaeron, instructed Zeus to take a statue of a woman made of wood, wrap it up, and act as though he was marrying it.

Claiming that 鈥渟he鈥� was Plataea, Asopus鈥� daughter, Zeus followed instructions. When Hera learned of the news, she interrupted the wedding and tore the dress off the figure, only to find that it was really a lifeless statue and not a romantic rival.

4. She is known for her Vengeful Nature

Hera is regarded as a vengeful goddess who wanted to keep what is hers to herself. However, the infidelity of Zeus could not be stopped which made her take her vengeance elsewhere.

She is claimed to have punished Zeus鈥� mistresses and their children. This was to show that her position will always remain that she is the queen of the gods as well as the legal wife of Zeus.

5. Hera鈥檚 Emblem is Known to be the Peacock

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In ancient Greek mythology, the gods and goddesses had emblems that represented them. Hera鈥檚 emblem was unique as it was a peacock that held various theories.

The mythology states that the peacock was created from the eyes of her enemy, Argus. She then placed its image on her sacred bird.

Also, read 10 Great Facts about the Greek god Apollo.

6. She is Presented as a Regal & Majestic Figure Wearing a Crown

Various ancient Greek goddesses were depicted in various ways and symbols. Hera is unique in her depiction as she presents as a dignified and matronly figure. She always wears a crown of polos or diadem and has a scepter or a lotus-tipped staff. Sometimes Hera is veiled as a married woman.

7. Hera was Worshipped as a Virgin

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Hera was also worshiped as a virgin, according to a legend from Stymphalia in Arcadia. A triple shrine to Hera the Girl, the Adult Woman, and the Separated (also known as 鈥淲idowed鈥� or 鈥淒ivorced鈥�) once stood. The Hera Temple in Hermione, close to Argos, was also dedicated to Hera the Virgin.

Hera regained her virginity every year in the spring of Kanathos, close to Nauplia, in secret rituals. The Virgin (Spring), the Mother (Summer), and the destructive Crone (Autumn) are each personified by the new moon (Hebe), full moon (Hera), and old moon (Hecate), according to Robert Graves鈥� interpretation.

8. She was Envious of Zeus鈥� Son, Heracles

Hera became the stepmother of Heracles who was also her enemy. Heracles means 鈥楪lory of Hera鈥�, but she never saw any glory as the child did not belong to her. The hate made her try to harm the child.

When Heracles was an infant, she sent two serpents to kill him when he was in his cot. However, Heracles killed the snakes using his bare hands. His nurses found him playing with the snakes’ bodies as toys.

9. Hera is Associated with Protectiveness & Justice Despite Negative Portrayal

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In ancient Greek mythology, Hera is often spoken about how negative she was. Her hate for the mistresses of her husband Zeus made many claim that she was a bad goddess.

However, the same ancient Greek mythology also portrays her as a protective and just goddess. Hera is known for her protectiveness and watchfulness over women, children, and marriage.

10. She is Given Credit for Creating the Milky Way in Some Myths

Several ancient Greek myths gave a lot of credit to Hera over the years. Another myth credited Hera for being the creator of the Milky Way. The myth stated that Hera sprayed her breast milk into the sky at night which in turn formed the galaxy.

Another myth account stated that Zeus tricked Hera to nurse Heracles. When she discovered it was Heracles, she pulled her off and spurt off her milk which formed a smear across the sky. This smear is what that can be seen to this day.

Read Top 10 Facts about Athena, the Greek Goddess.

11. Hera Befriended Heracles after He Saved Her from a Giant Attack

The enmity between Hera and Heracles went on after his birth until he became a grown-up man. She tried to make him fail in various ways, but the two later came to be close after an event, according to mythology. Heracles befriended Hera after he saved her from Porphyrion, a giant.

The giant had wanted to rape Hera during the Gigantomachy. After saving Hera from the giant, the myth states that Hera offered her daughter Hebe to Heracles as his bride.

12. She had 13 Children

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As a goddess of fertility, Hera herself had children. She was blessed with thirteen children, some of who were gods and goddesses. Some of the children of Hera are Ares the god of war, Hephaestus the god of blacksmiths and craftsmen, and Hebe the goddess of youth.

13. Hera has Sculptures and Events Dedicated to Her

Like other gods and goddesses of ancient Greece, Hera has sculptures and events dedicated to her. Some of the sculptures were made by Romans and others by the Greeks.

These sculptures include Barberini Hera made by the Romans, Hera Borghese, and Hera Farnese. The Heraea Games dedicated to Hera was the first women鈥檚 athletic match that was held in a stadium in Olympia.

14. Hera Might be the First Deity to have a Temple Dedicated to Her by the Greeks

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At Samos, around 800 BCE, Hera may have been the first god to whom the Greeks devoted an enclosed temple sanctuary with a roof. Later, the Heraion of Samos, one of the biggest Greek temples (altars were located in front of the temples under the open sky), took its place. The evidence is a little muddled and the archaeological dates are questionable due to the numerous temples that were built on this location.

15. She Sided with the Greeks in the Trojan War

As in several myths, gods and goddesses were also involved in protecting their people during wars. Hera is captured in the stories of the famous Trojan War.

In these stories, Hera is claimed to have played a major role in the war in which she sided with the Greeks. She worked against the Trojans as they had chosen Aphrodite as one of the most beautiful goddesses which offended her.

Hera has always remained to be an important mythological figure in Greeks history and culture. Her legacies and stories will always be passed over through generations.

Also, read 15 Great Facts about Zeus in Greek Mythology.