Hera was the queen of all gods and humans. Daughter of titans Cronus and Rhea, married to her brother Zeus, Hera was goddess of marriage and family. Her symbols included the pomegranate, the peacock, cuckoo, and cow.

Apollo was one of the most important gods of the Olympians and he was credited as god of many things. He was god of light, of inspiration, reason, poetry, prophecy, music and arts, medicine and healing. Twin brother of Artemis, he was son of Zeus and Leto. His symbols included the sun, raven, mouse, and lyre. The lyre was a music instrument created by Hermes and gifted to Apollo as a token of his affection.

Zeus was the king of all gods and humans. Son of titans Cronus and Rhea, married to his sister Hera, Zeus was god of the sky, lightning, thunder, law, order, justice and fertility. Zeus was the protector of foreigners, guests, the underprivileged, kings and anyone who was giving a vow. His symbols included the thunderbolt, eagle, oak tree, scepter, and scales.

Poseidon was the god of the seas, the rivers, the drinking water and all aquatic features, the earthquakes, floods and drought. Like Zeus and Hera, Poseidon was also son of titans Cronus and Rhea and he was considered to be the protector of sailors and fishermen. His weapon and symbol was his trident and he would strike the ground with it to produce an earthquake. This earned him the nickname “Earth-shaker.” Other symbols of his were the dolphin and the horse.

Daughter of Zeus and the Oceanid Metis, Athena was born from Zeus as she sprang fully grown and in armor from his forehead. She was goddess of wisdom, the arts, crafts, and skill, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, strategic warfare, strength, strategy, and mathematics. The owl was her bird and symbol as well as the olive tree.

Daughter of Zeus and the Oceanid Dione, Aphrodite was the goddess of love, beauty and eternal youth. She was married to Hephaestus and her son was the winged Eros( Cupid). Aphrodite’s symbols were the dove, bee, swan, rose, and myrtle.

Artemis was the daughter of Zeus and Leto and twin sister of Apollo. She was goddess of the hunt, all animals, virginity, wilderness, childbirth, archery, and the moon. Her animals were the deer and bear and her symbols included the moon, hound, deer, she-bear, bow and arrow.

Son of Zeus and the nymph Maia, Hermes was the messenger of gods, god of commerce, thieves, eloquence, travelers, sports, athletes, literature, and border crossings. He was also guide to the Underworld. His symbols include the tortoise, winged sandals and cap, stork, and the caduceus (staff entwined with two snakes).

Ares was the son of Zeus and Hera. He was the god of war and violence and all the other gods (except Aphrodite) despised him. His symbols were the serpent, dog, vulture, spear, and shield.

Hephaestus was the son of Zeus and Hera.  He was married to Aphrodite by Zeus in an attempt to prevent a war of the gods fighting for her hand. He was god of fire and the forge and the art of sculpture. He was Master blacksmith and craftsman of the gods.

Hestia was the eldest child of Cronus and Rhea. She was the protector of hearth and of the right ordering of domesticity and family. She was worshiped in all houses and at any temple, regardless of the god the temple was dedicated to. As the goddess of the hearth she personified the fire burning in the hearth in every home in Greece.

Another child of Cronus and Rhea, Demeter was the goddess of fertility, agriculture, nature, and the seasons. She was the protector of farmers and her symbols were the poppy, wheat, torch, cornucopia, and pig.