Hera: The Queen of the Gods
Origin: Greece
Meaning: lady, queen, mistress
Similar gods in other countries/religions:
- Roman goddess = Juno
- Egyptian goddess = Isis (supreme goddess)
- Japanese goddess = None
- Hindu goddess = Marisha-Ten
The Goddess of Marriage and Birth. Hera's sacred animals are the cow and the peacock. Usually carries something made of peacock feathers. Hera is known to be merciless and cruel. Most stories concerning Hera have to do with her jealous revenge for Zeus's infidelities. Her favorite city is Argos.
Hera's marriage was founded on conflicts with Zeus and continued in conflicts afterward as well. Zeus courted her unsuccesfully. He then turned to trickery, changing himself into disheveled cuckoo. Hera feeling sorry for the bird held it to her breast to warm it. Zues then resumed his normal form and taking advantage of the suprise he gained, raped her. She then married him to cover her shame.
Once when Zeus was being partcularly overbearing to the other gods, Hera convinced them to join in a revolt. Her part in the revolt was to drug Zeus, and in this she was successful. The gods then bound the sleeping Zeus to a couch taking care to tie many knots. This done they began to quarrel over the next step. Briareus overheard the arguements. Still full of gratitude to Zeus, Briareus slipped in and was able to quickly untie the many knots. Zeus sprang from the couch and grapped up his thuderbolt. The gods fell to their knees begging and pleading for mercy. He seized Hera and hung her from the sky with gold chains. She wept in pain all night but, none of the others dared to interfere. Her weeping kept Zeus up and the next morning he agreed to release her if she would swear never to rebel again. She had little choice but, to agree. While she never again rebeled, she often schemed against Zeus's plans and she was often able to outwit him.