Hera (Roman counterpart named Juno) is a major protagonist and antagonist in a variety of Greek myths. She is the youngest daughter of Kronos and Rhea, and the Greek goddess of women and marriage, family, childbirth, sky and queenship. Being the last wife of Zeus, Hera is also Queen of the Olympian gods. In most of the myths, she gets revenge on Zeus' mortal lovers and the children from their affairs. Most notably, she is the arch-enemy of her stepson, Hercules, whom she torments him.
Her sacred animals are peacocks, cuckoos, cows and panthers and diadem, sceptre, throne, pomegranate and lotus serve as her symbols.
Background
Physical appearance
Hera was said to be the most beautiful of the Goddesses, with it only being surpassed by Aphrodite. Homer described her as "ox-eyed" and "white-armed", which meant that she had large, soft brown eyes that one could become lost in, as well as a clear, pure, and unblemished complexion that was as white as ivory. She is often depicted as an elegant, mature and tall woman with long brown hair in paintings, and fair skin, with a golden crown decorated with precious gemtones and jewelries such as earrings and necklaces.
Powers
As the Queen of the Gods, the golden crowned Hera is extremely powerful. Her rage invokes fear in both men and gods.
- Immortality: Being one of the ancient beings save a goddess, Hera is immortal and capable of living for thousands of years.
- Supernatural Beauty: Hera was once the most beautiful goddess on all of Olympus, before the birth of Aphrodite. Many Gods fell in love with her, but only Zeus managed to gain her as a wife.
- Divine Authority: As Queen of the Deathless Gods, Hera can command any gods, human, creatures, monsters or animals to do her bidding.
- Superhuman Strength: As a goddess, Hera posseses strength greater than any human.
- Superhuman Senses: Hera senses are omniscient. She can sense something very far away. Even Zeus has to be careful from being noticed by Hera.
- Superhuman Stamina: Hera does not need to sleep or rest and can stay up all day long. Although she consumes ambrosia and nectar to maintain herself.
- Unparalleled Bond Manipulation: As the goddess of family, Hera can destroy and create any familial bond at will.
- Telekinesis: Hera has the ability to move any object with her own mind.
- Atmokinesis: The ability to control the weather. She once plagued Hercules with a deadly thunderstorm in fit of rage and jealousy.
- Aerokinesis: The ability to control/manipulate wind. Hera used wind/air to defeat Artemis during The Indian War of Dionysus(an epic poem by an ancient Greek:Egyptian poet, Nonnus).
- Biokinesis:As the goddess of woman, Hera was said to have power over menstrual cycle. Women who suffered extreme pain during their menstrual cycle was said to have been punished by Hera for doing something offensive or unladylike.
- Marriage Manipulation: As the goddess of marriage, Hera can bless and curse any marriage at will. If Hera bless a marriage, she will bring a familal harmony, fortunes and happiness. She will grant a strong and healthy babies for the family. However, if Hera curse a marriage, she will bring a lot of misfortunes, sadness and familial discord. She will grant the family a horrible, ugly, disabled and weak babies.
- Flight: Hera can fly anywhere she wishes to be at.
- Monster Creation: Hera turned Lamia into a monster as a punishment for sleeping with her husband.
- Shapeshifting: Hera can change her appearence into whatever she desires.
- Curse/Blessing Granting: Hera cursed Echo that she can only repeat what people said. Hera also once blessed Jason with her protection. This also applied to her ability to curse or bless a marriage.
- ↑ In some versions, Aphrodite is the daughter of Hera's husband/brother Zeus and Dione, making her Hera's step-daughter and niece.
- ↑ In other versions, when Hera's father Cronus killed his father, and Hera's grandfather Ouranos, Cronus threw his father's genitals into the sea and Aphrodite was born, making her and Kronos Half-Siblings and therefore the aunt of the first generation of the Olympian.