Zeus
(Jupiter)
The supreme ruler, having won the
drawing for power with his brothers,
Poseidon and Hades. He gained
control of the sky and its elements.
He wears a breastplate known as an
aegis, and his primary symbol is the
thunderbolt or lightning bolt. His
other symbols are the eagle and oak
tree, which are still associated with
greatness today.
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Hera (Juno)
The sister and wife of Zeus, is the protector of
marriage and married women. Perhaps that’s one
reason that June, the month named for Juno, is
the most popular month for weddings. Her
symbols are the cow and the peacock.
Poseidon
(Neptune)
God of the Sea. He is often pictured
carrying a trident, or three-pronged
spear, and riding a horse, which is an
animal that he created.
Hades
(Pluto)
God of the Underworld, the land of
the dead. He is not Death himself, but
rather King of the Dead. The elements
of the earth are also associated with
him. He is seen as very wealthy
because of the precious minerals and
metals in the earth. His symbol is a
helmet that makes the wearer
invisible. He is not a popular god but
he is a just one. He rarely comes to
Olympus.
Pallas
Athena
(Minerva)
Goddess of Wisdom and the protector
of handicrafts, agriculture, and
cities—especially Athens, the city
named for her. She is noted for her
weaving and for inventing the bridle
to tame horses for use by man. She
sprang full-grown from Zeus’ head in
full armor and in early stories is a
warrior. She is Zeus’ favorite child
and carries his thunderbolt. Her
symbols are the olive tree, which she
created, and the owl. The owl is still a
symbol of wisdom.
Phoebus
Apollo
(same)
God of Light and Truth. He is most
often pictured as a master musician
with a lyre, or U-shaped harp. He is
also credited with teaching man the
healing arts. In addition to the lyre, his
symbols are the laurel tree, the crow,
and the dolphin.
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Artemis
(Diana)
Goddess of the Hunt. Phoebus
Apollo’s twin, she is identified with
the moon and is sometimes given the
alternative Latin name of Luna. She is
the huntress. All animals are sacred to
her, but the deer is her favorite.
Aphrodite
(Venus)
Goddess of Love and Beauty. She is
said to have sprung from the foam of
the sea. She loves laughter and uses
her cunning to conquer gods and men.
Her magic girdle makes the wearer an
object of desire and love, and she
grants the use of it to other goddesses
and to women. She is often pictured
with her son Eros (Cupid), a minor
god who uses arrows tipped in lead
and gold to produce hate or love in his
victims. Her symbols are the dove,
myrtle tree, and rose.
Hermes
(Mercury)
the messenger of Zeus. He can be
recognized by his winged sandals and
hat and his magic wand, the caduceus.
He is swift and can deliver messages
instantly. The ancients also saw him
as the God of Commerce and as the
Master Thief. His thieving ways and
fleetness of foot are an odd
combination of traits for the god of
business!
Ares (Mars)
God of War, dressed in full armor
with a burning torch and a spear.
Other than that, he has no particular
characteristics and is not liked by the
other gods. He is often pictured with
his attendants Discord, Strife, Terror,
Panic, and Trembling, all of which are
associated with war. His symbols are
the vulture and dogs of prey.
Hephaestus
(Vulcan or
Mulciber)
God of Fire. He is the master
craftsman of Olympus who makes the
homes, furnishings, and armor of the
gods. His forge (workshop furnace) is
said to be under a volcano such as
Mount Etna. He is a patron of the
handicrafts and of those who make
tools of agriculture. He and Pallas
Athena are the two gods who support
civilization. The only ugly god, it is
ironic that he is married to the
beautiful Aphrodite. His symbols are
the hammer, forge, and fire.
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Hestia
(Vesta)
Goddess of the Hearth, or fireplace.
Zeus decreed that she could never
marry. The hearth fire is sacred to her
and every ancient home kept her flame
burning.
Demeter
(Ceres)
Goddess of Corn, or grain. She is seen
as the provider—Mother Nature, in
our modern minds. Her "temples" are
the fields of grain and the threshing
areas rather than buildings for worship
and sacrifice, and her symbol is the
sheaf of grain. The festival that
honored her grew to become quite
elaborate, but the most sacred part—
the Eleusinian Mysteries—was veiled
in secrecy.
Dionysus
(Bacchus)
God of the Vine and the God of Wine.
He was born of fire and raised by the
nymphs who bring rain, just as the
grapes need both sun and rain to
thrive. He is usually pictured as a
happy-go-lucky figure dressed in
flowing purple robes (the color of
grapes) with vines twined on his head.
His symbols are the grapevine and the
cup.
The Graces
Three sisters who represent beauty
and grace. Their names are Mirth,
Splendor, and Good Cheer.
The Muses
Nine sisters who represent the subjects
of Greek education: history,
astronomy, tragedy, comedy, dance,
epic poetry, love poetry, songs, and
lyric poetry. They are often referred to
individually as well as together.
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Janus
God of Good Beginnings. He has two
faces; one looks forward, the other
looks back. He is a Roman god with
no Greek equivalent. January, the
month that begins the year, is named
for him.
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Aeolus
King of the Winds, lives on earth and
plays a major role in one of the
adventures of Odysseus.