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HERA (JUNO)

      Hera was born on the isle of Samos, on the banks of the river of Asterion.  She spent her childhood on the isle of Euboa.  Her parents were Cronus and Rhea.  Cronus was the Titan god of time and ages.  Cronus ate his chilren when they were born because he though that they would overthrow him.  He ate Hera, but she did not die.  Hera was said to be immortal, and live forever.  Instead, Cronus kept her in his body.  Hera grew in his body, and she came out when she was full grown.  Rhea was the "mother of gods."

     Hera was in charge of overseeing the heaven and the earth.  She was responsible for the change of seasons, as well as other jobs too. 

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    Hera has three symbols.  One is the cuckoo bird, which is also a symbol for springtime.  A peacock is another symbol of hers because it symbolizes how watchful Hera was.  The circles on the peacock feathers are the "eyes" of Hera, and she is always watching.  She allowed peacocks to walk all over her palace because it was a sacred bird to her.  The third symbol of Hera is a pomegranate.  Myths do not tell exactly why Hera was symbolized with a pomegranate, but she was shown in many pictures holding one.  Other myths say that the Milky way and lilies are symbols of Hera.

     Hera and Zeus were married.

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     Hera was raised by her parents, Cronus and Rhea.  She grew up in her father's body and when she came out full grown, she married Zeus who was dumbstruck by her beauty.  they went on a long honeymoon, but Zeus started loving other goddesses.  Hera was jealous, and wanted to prove to him that she did not need him, so she had a baby by herself.  His name was Hephaistos.  Haphaistos was fatherless, and he was born crippled.  He was casted from heaven, and he knew that Hera had to be punished for that.  Hera did not help her son and she threw him down. She did not care for him, so Haphaistos sent his mother a golden throne with invisible fetters.  The fetters made Hera be held in the chair, and she could not get up.  Haphaitos had his revenge.  Hera soon gave birth to Artemis when Zeus was also having relations with Leto.  Hera was angered by that, but she still took care of Artemis.  Zeus continued to have relations with other goddesses, and when Hera found out about them, she turned the goddesses into creatures.  In one myth, she changed Io into a white cow because she was seduced by Zeus.  Zeus tried hiding his affairs because if Hera found out about them, she would harm that goddess.  Her spent her life loving Zeus, and preventing his affairs.  She wanted Zeus to herself, but he did not want that.  Hera had four children with Zeus, but some that she gave birth to herself.  Hera is said to be immortal, so she is still alive today.