Hera is the Greek goddess of marriage, women, and the sanctity of family. As the sister and wife of Zeus, she holds the role of Queen of the Olympian gods and presides over the lawful order of society, especially in relation to matrimony and childbirth. Her character is shaped by dignity and authority, but also by a sharp temper—particularly in myths where Zeus is cheating on her.
Despite being revered for her role in upholding social and moral order, Hera’s mythology often explores themes of loyalty, jealousy, and power in a patriarchal cosmos. She may be stern, but she never lacks purpose.
Meaning and Etymology
The name Hera (Ἥρα) is likely pre-Greek in origin. It may relate to the word hērōs (“hero”), or hērōē (“lady” or “mistress”), emphasizing her high rank. Her Roman counterpart is Juno, who carried over many of her attributes, especially in state religion.
Symbolism
Hera’s divine identity is reflected in:
- The peacock, whose tail feathers bear the eyes of Argus, symbolizing vigilance.
- The cow, associated with nurturing and motherhood.
- The pomegranate, a traditional emblem of fertility and life cycles.
- Her diadem and scepter, marking her regal authority.
She is portrayed as a stately, fully mature woman, often enthroned and accompanied by sacred animals.
Powers and Responsibilities
Hera governs:
- Marriage, particularly lawful unions and their preservation.
- Childbirth, where she protects women and family honor.
- Queenship and divine order, acting as a counterbalance to Zeus’s often chaotic power.
- Female sovereignty, especially in myth cycles where she asserts control or seeks redress.
Unlike gods who act impulsively, Hera’s actions typically reflect long-held grievances and strategic planning.
Family and Relations
Hera is the daughter of Cronus and Rhea, and the sister of Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Demeter, and Hestia. She marries Zeus, and their union—despite its volatility—is considered the archetypal divine marriage.
Children of Hera include:
- Ares, god of war.
- Hebe, goddess of youth and cupbearer of the gods.
- Eileithyia, goddess of childbirth.
- Hephaestus, in some myths born without a father, as a counter to Zeus’s parthenogenesis of Athena.
Her relationship with Zeus defines much of her mythological presence, but she maintains power independently as well.
Appearances in Myth
- Trojan War: Hera is a driving force behind the Greek campaign, enraged after Paris judges Aphrodite fairest over her and Athena. She supports the Greeks and frequently intervenes in battles, often to counter Zeus’s favoritism.
- Io: When Zeus seduces or abducts Io, Hera transforms the girl into a cow and assigns Argus Panoptes to watch her. After Hermes slays Argus, Hera immortalizes him by placing his eyes on the peacock’s feathers.
- Herakles: Hera’s vendetta against Herakles begins at birth, when she sends serpents to his cradle. Later, she causes his madness, which leads him to kill his family—a crime that initiates his Twelve Labors.
- Leto: Pregnant with Zeus’s twins, Leto is cursed by Hera, who prevents any land from accepting her. Eventually, the floating island of Delos provides sanctuary, where Apollo and Artemis are born.
- Echo: When the nymph Echo stalls Hera while Zeus consorts with other nymphs, Hera punishes her by taking away her voice, leaving her only able to repeat others’ words.
Worship and Cult Centers
Hera was widely venerated across the Greek world, often in connection with local kingship and civic identity.
Key cult centers:
- Argos: Home of the Heraion, one of the oldest sanctuaries dedicated to her.
- Samos: A major temple complex and site of the Heraion of Samos.
- Olympia: Hera’s temple here predates Zeus’s and includes the Heraia, a female athletic competition held in her honor.
She was often worshipped as Hera Teleia (“Hera the Fulfilled”), a title connected to marriage, and Hera Basileia, the queenly aspect.
Rituals emphasized transitions—maiden to bride, girl to woman—and her role in protecting these changes within society.
Representation in Art
In classical art, Hera is regal and serene, usually depicted as a mature woman with a veil, diadem, and scepter. She often appears beside Zeus, maintaining her rank, but she also stands alone as a sovereign figure.
Her iconography, including peacocks and lions, reflects both grace and latent power.
Modern Appearances
Literature
- The Iliad and The Odyssey depict Hera as a political power player, frequently clashing with Zeus and favoring the Greeks.
- Heroes by Stephen Fry provides a vivid retelling of her character, balancing her wrath with her underlying justice.
- In the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan, she appears as Juno—manipulative but calculated, protecting the institution of marriage more than the individuals in it.
Drama
- Euripides’ Herakles and Hippolytus feature Hera as a divine antagonist, directly or indirectly causing suffering through curses and divine grudges.
- In Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hera’s Roman equivalent Juno is invoked in wedding blessings, reflecting her role in sanctifying unions.
Film and Television
- Disney’s Hercules (1997): Casts Hera in an unusually kind light as Hercules’ mother—an invention with no basis in myth, but a notable reimagining.
- Clash of the Titans (1981, 2010): Includes Hera among the Olympians during divine councils.
- Xena: Warrior Princess and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys: Frequently features Hera as a shadowy, manipulative antagonist, emphasizing her wrathful aspects.
- Blood of Zeus (Netflix): Reimagines Hera as a formidable force who takes extreme steps to punish Zeus’s transgressions—offering one of her darkest portrayals.
Video Games
- Smite: Hera is a playable goddess with abilities linked to divine authority and her peacock, Argus.
- God of War III: Depicts Hera in a decayed, bitter form, embodying the tragic decline of the Olympians.
- Hades by Supergiant Games: Though absent, her influence is discussed in conversations between her divine family members, reinforcing her importance to Olympus.