Name
Zeus
Symbol
Eagle, oak tree, thunderbolt, shield, lightning, ox, double-bladed axe,
scepter and throne
Poseidon
Trident, dolphins, horses, fish, seahorses, ash tree, pine
Apollo
Lyre, laurel, chariot, arrow, heliotrope, globe, sun, hyacinth
Ares
Armor, dogs, vultures, boar
Hermes
Winged cap, and winged sandals, caduceus (sword entwined with
serpents)
Hephaestus
Hammer, anvil, (blacksmith), forge, fire, bellows
Hades
Cerberus (three-headed dog), cypress, sycamore, helmet, black
cloak, scepter, poppy, cornucopia, black sheep
Hera
Peacock, pomegranate, feathers, cuckoo
Athena
Breastplate, aegis (shield), owl, olive, olive branch
Demeter
Sheaf of wheat, poppy, pomegranate, scythe
Aphrodite
Myrtle, dove, shell, charmed belt/girdle, heart, bow & arrow -- Eros
Dionysus
Grape vine, wine, ivy, chariot – leopards, party/festivities
Persephone
Spring, pomegranate, lily of the valley, narcissus, wreath of flowers,
waterfalls, rivers, spring, honey & bread
Hestia
Hearth, home, pantry, cooking fire, family, keeper of sacred fire
Artemis
Hunting weapons, bow, arrow, stag, crescent moon, woodland
animals and plants
Classical allusions: familiar reference to Greek and/or Roman mythology. A big
reason why we study mythology is to understand these allusions. (An allusion is a
comparative device/ compression device – type of metaphor, not a mere naming.)
Humanizing: makes something more human or civilized, to give something human
characteristics. This makes it easier for mankind to relate to the “gods” and their
stories. Myths are, after all, stories with characters. They also show us what the
Greeks valued, and what “foibles” they found acceptable. Their gods have “faults” …
they’re “humanized.”