Hera facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hera
Queen of the Gods Goddess of marriage, women, marital harmony, and the protector of women during childbirth
Member of the Twelve Olympians
The Campana Hera, a Roman copy of a Hellenistic original, from the Louvre
Major cult center	Argos, Mycenae, Samos
Abode	Mount Olympus
Animals	Heifer, cuckoo, peacock
Symbol	Pomegranate, sceptre, crown (polos or diadem)
Personal information
Consort	Zeus
Children	Angelos, Arge, Ares, the Charites, Eileithyia, Eleutheria, Enyo, Eris, Hebe, Hephaestus
Parents	Cronus and Rhea
Siblings	Poseidon, Hades, Demeter, Hestia, Zeus; Chiron (half)
Roman equivalent	Juno

A statue of Hera at the Vatican

Roman copy of a Greek 5th century Hera of the "Barberini Hera" type, from the Museo Chiaramonti

In Greek mythology, Hera was a powerful deity and one of the Twelve Olympians. She was known as the goddess of marriage, women, and families. People also believed she protected women during childbirth. The Ancient Greeks often said that Hera was the most beautiful goddess, even more beautiful than Aphrodite. Her name, Hera, is thought to mean 'beautiful lady'. Hera was the sister and wife of the mighty god Zeus.

Hera was the queen of all the Greek gods and goddesses. She lived on Mount Olympus with the other gods. She was seen as wise and serious. Hera was also called 'The Queen of Heaven' because she ruled over the heavens and the Earth long before marrying Zeus. She was believed to be in charge of all living things, including the seasons and the weather. In many stories, Hera (known as Juno by the Romans) is the main goddess of marriage.

Hera's Special Symbols

Hera had several important symbols. Her special animals were the peacock and the cow. The pomegranate fruit was also one of her symbols. Other important items linked to Hera were the crown and the veil. In ancient art, Hera is often shown as a dignified queen. She usually wears a crown or a special headband called a polos or diadem. Sometimes, she is shown with a veil, like a married woman.

Hera's Family

Hera's parents were the Titans Cronus and Rhea. Her brothers and sisters were Zeus (who she married), Hestia, Demeter, Hades, and Poseidon. Hera had one daughter, Hebe, and two sons, Ares and Hephaestus. Athena and Hermes were her stepsons and stepdaughter.

Stories About Hera

Hera's Birth Story

Hera was the daughter of Cronus and Rhea. Cronus was worried that one of his children would take his power. So, he swallowed all his newborn children. But Rhea tricked him. She gave him a stone to swallow instead of her youngest child, Zeus. Zeus grew up in secret. When he was older, he made his father throw up all his siblings, including Hera. Zeus then led a fight against the Titans. After winning, he shared control of the world with his brothers Poseidon and Hades.

Hera and Dionysus

Dionysus was a son of Zeus and a human woman. Hera was not happy about this. She tried to harm Dionysus when he was a baby. She sent the Titans to attack him. The Titans tried to trick Dionysus with toys. Zeus scared the Titans away with his thunderbolts. But the Titans had already harmed Dionysus. Zeus then used a part of Dionysus to bring him back to life. He placed it in the womb of Semele. This way, Dionysus was born a second time.

Hera and Echo

Echo was a nymph who had a special job. She would talk to Hera and praise her. This was to keep Hera busy while Zeus spent time with other women. When Hera found out about this trick, she became very angry. She put a curse on Echo. The curse meant that Echo could only repeat the last words she heard from other people. This is where we get the word echo from today.

Hera and Io

Io was a person Zeus was interested in. Hera almost caught Zeus and Io together. To hide Io, Zeus quickly turned her into a cow. But Hera was clever. She asked Zeus to give her the cow as a gift. Once Io belonged to Hera, she was guarded by Argus, a giant with many eyes. Argus's job was to make sure Io and Zeus never met. Zeus sent Hermes to free Io. Hermes tricked Argus and put him to sleep, then killed him. Hera then sent a gadfly to sting Io. This made Io wander all over the Earth.

Hera and Lamia

Lamia was a queen from Libya who Zeus had a special connection with. Hera felt jealous of Lamia. Hera turned Lamia into a monster. In one story, Lamia then harmed her own children. Another version says that Hera harmed Lamia's children, and Lamia was so sad that she became a monster. Hera also put a curse on Lamia. The curse meant Lamia could not close her eyes. Hera wanted Lamia to always see the image of her lost children. Zeus then gave Lamia a gift: she could take her eyes out to rest, and then put them back in.

Hera and Leto

When Hera found out that Leto was expecting twins with Zeus, she was very angry. She made a rule that Leto could not give birth on any known mainland or island. Leto found a floating island called Dellos. Since it was not a mainland or a real island, Leto was allowed to give birth there. Artemis was born first. Then, Artemis helped Leto give birth to Apollo. Later, Dellos was held in place by four pillars so it would not float anymore. It became a sacred place for Apollo.

Other pages

• Juno - The Roman mythology version of Hera.

Images for kids

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  Hera on an antique fresco from Pompeii

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  The Temple of Hera at Agrigento, Magna Graecia.

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  Hera and Prometheus, tondo of a 5th-century BCE cup from Vulci, Etruria

See also

In Spanish: Hera para niños