Parents: Cronus and Rhea

Birth: Like her siblings, Hera was swallowed by her father Cronus at birth. She was later freed when Zeus forced Cronus to regurgitate his children. She was raised by the Titans Oceanus and Tethys.

Story: Hera was the queen of the gods and the goddess of marriage and family. She was fiercely loyal to the institution of marriage, which made Zeus's constant affairs a source of unending fury. Hera often took her revenge not on Zeus himself, but on the women he pursued and the children born from those unions — most famously tormenting Hercules throughout his entire life. She was one of the most powerful Olympians, and even Zeus was sometimes afraid of her temper.

Hera's Vengeance: Hera's jealousy was legendary and her punishments were severe. She tormented Hercules from birth, driving him mad and forcing him into his twelve labors. She persecuted Leto, forbidding any land from giving her shelter to give birth to Apollo and Artemis. When Zeus fell in love with the mortal Io, Hera transformed her into a cow and set the hundred-eyed giant Argus to guard her. She even punished Echo, a nymph who had distracted her with endless chatter while Zeus snuck away, by cursing her to only repeat the last words spoken to her.

The Judgment of Paris: Hera played a central role in the events leading to the Trojan War. When the mortal prince Paris was asked to judge which goddess was the most beautiful — Hera, Athena, or Aphrodite — each offered him a bribe. Hera offered him power and dominion over all of Asia. But Paris chose Aphrodite, who promised him the most beautiful woman in the world. Hera never forgave Paris or the city of Troy, and she became one of the fiercest supporters of the Greeks during the Trojan War, doing everything in her power to see Troy destroyed.

Symbol: Peacock, cow, pomegranate, crown.

Represents: Marriage, women, family, and childbirth.