According to Greek mythology, the gods were created from the primordial void called “Chaos,” with the first beings being Gaia (Earth), Eros (Love), and Tartarus (the Abyss); from Gaia emerged Uranus (Sky), and their union produced the Titans, who then gave birth to the Olympian gods like Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hera, Demeter, and Hestia, considered the most important Greek deities. Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hera, Demeter, and Hestia were born to Rhea & Cronus.
Hades is the god of the underworld and the eldest son of Cronus. His purpose is to judge and handle the souls that have done wrong in their lifetime. He is typically depicted holding a bident and wearing a helm with Cerberus, the hellhound, at his side. His symbols are the cornucopia, a scepter, the cypress, the narcissus, the poplar, and his Helm of Darkness. The screech owl was his sacred animal.
Poseidon, the god of the sea, controls the oceans, rivers, floods, droughts, and earthquakes. He can split boulders with his trident and create springs by striking the ground with his trident. His symbols are a trident, a three-pronged fishing spear, a boulder encrusted with sea creatures, a wreath of wild celery, or a headband. His personality is often depicted as violent and ill-tempered and known for being disruptive.
Zeus, god of the gods, the ruler of the sky, and the god of justice. His symbols included the thunderbolt, eagle, bull, and oak. He lived on Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece. He held the Aegis, a divine shield. He was considered the supernatural father of all gods and humans.
Hera goddess of the gods and the goddess of marriage, women, and childbirth. Being the wife and sister of Zeus, known for her jealousy and revenge against Zeus’s infidelity. She is the protector of marriage, women, and family. Hera is often depicted as a beautiful young woman wearing a crown and holding a lotus-tipped scepter Sometimes accompanied by a lion, cuckoo, or hawk.
Hestia is the goddess of the hearth, home, and family. She was also the protector of the hospitality and civic community. Hestia was the firstborn child of Cronus and Rhea, and one of the Twelve Olympians. Hestia swore to remain a virgin after Apollo and Poseidon became suitors for her hand.
Demeter was the goddess of agriculture, fertility, and the harvest. Her roles are to preside over crops, grains, food, and the fertility of the Earth. She represents good harvests, grain and bread, fruits and vegetation that nourish and grow the earth. Her daughter, Persephone, is abducted by Hades, the god of the underworld, and Demeter searches for Persephone and reveals her secret rites to the people of Eleusis. Her distress at her daughter’s disappearance caused a famine.
