Greek Gods iconorgraphy

Zeus - Role

King of the gods; god of the sky, thunder and justice.

Zeus - Symbols

Thunderbolt, eagle, oak, sceptre.

Zeus - Iconography

Mature, bearded man. Often has a thunderbolt or sceptre. Often seated.

Zeus - Origin

Son of Cronus and Rhea. Brother of Hera, Poseidon, Hades, Demeter and Hestia.

Hera - Role

Goddess of marriage. Queen of the gods.

Hera - Symbols

Peacock, cow, pomegranate, crown, sceptre.

Hera - Iconography

Mature, majestic woman. Often wears a crown and holds a sceptre.

Hera - Origin

Daughter of Cronus and Rhea. Sister and wife of Zeus.

Poseidon - Role

God of the sea, earthquakes and horses.

: Poseidon - Symbols

Trident, horse, dolphin, chariot.

Poseidon - Iconography

Bearded man carrying a trident. Often shown with the sea or horses.

Poseidon - Origin

Son of Cronus and Rhea. Brother of Zeus and Hades.

Demeter - Role

Goddess of agriculture, grain and the harvest.

Demeter - Symbols

Grain, cornucopia, torch, poppy.

Demeter - Iconography

Mature woman. Often shown with grain, crops, a torch or cornucopia.

Demeter - Origin

Daughter of Cronus and Rhea. Mother of Persephone.

Hephaistos - Role

God of fire, metalworking and craftsmen. Divine blacksmith.

Hephaistos - Symbols

Hammer, anvil, tongs, forge.

Hephaistos - Iconography

Bearded craftsman. Shown with a hammer, anvil or other smithing tools.

Hephaistos - Origin

Son of Hera. Some myths say Zeus and Hera were his parents. Husband of Aphrodite.

Apollo - Role

God of prophecy, music, poetry and healing.

Apollo - Symbols

Lyre, bow, laurel, tripod.

Apollo - Iconography

Youthful, idealised man. Often shown with a lyre, bow or laurel.

Apollo - Origin

Son of Zeus and Leto. Twin brother of Artemis.

Artemis - Role

Goddess of hunting and wilderness. Associated with childbirth.

Artemis - Symbols

Bow, arrows, deer, hunting dogs, moon.

Artemis - Iconography

Young huntress. Usually shown with a bow and arrows, often with a deer.

Artemis - Origin

Daughter of Zeus and Leto. Twin sister of Apollo.

Athena - Role

Goddess of wisdom, strategic warfare and crafts.

Athena - Symbols

Owl, olive tree, helmet, shield, spear. aegis

Athena - Iconography

Armed woman wearing a helmet. Often has a shield and spear.

Athena - Origin

Sprang fully grown and armed from Zeus's head.

Aphrodite - Role

Goddess of love, beauty and desire.

Aphrodite - Symbols

BACK: Dove, rose, myrtle, seashell

Aphrodite - Iconography

Beautiful woman. Often associated with the sea, seashells, doves or Eros.

: Aphrodite - Origin

One tradition says she arose from sea foam. Another says she was daughter of Zeus and Dione

Ares - Role

God of war, especially violence and brutality.

Ares - Symbols

Sword, shield, helmet, spear, boar.

Ares - Iconography

Armoured warrior. Usually shown with weapons, especially a spear or shield.

Ares - Origin

Son of Zeus and Hera.

: Dionysos - Role

God of wine, theatre and celebration.

: Dionysos - Symbols

Grapes, grapevine, ivy, thyrsus, panther.

Dionysos - Iconography

Young or bearded man. Often shown with grapes, vines, ivy or a thyrsus.

Dionysos - Origin

Hestia - Role

Goddess of the hearth, home and household fire.

Hestia - Symbols

Hearth, fire, household flame.

Hestia - Iconography

Modest, often veiled woman. Associated with the hearth and sacred fire.

Hestia - Origin

Daughter of Cronus and Rhea. Sister of Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Hades and Demeter.

Hermes - Role

Messenger of the gods. God of travel, trade and communication.

Hermes - Symbols

Winged sandals, winged hat, caduceus.

Hermes - Iconography

Young man with winged sandals or hat. Often carries the caduceus.

Hermes - Origin

Son of Zeus and Maia.

Hades - Role

God and ruler of the Underworld and the dead.

Hades - Symbols

Cerberus, helmet of invisibility, bident, cypress. Sceptre → Key

Hades - Iconography

Mature, bearded man. Often shown with Cerberus, a bident or on a throne.

Hades - Origin

Son of Cronus and Rhea. Brother of Zeus and Poseidon. Ruler of the Underworld.