Zeus.
Zeus' main attribute is the Thunderbolt,
which he received from the Cyclopes. The Eagle is Zeus' bird, and
sometimes the woodpecker is associated with him. His tree is the Oak.Athena.
The Aegis, usually a goat skin, is an
attribute of both Athena and Zeus. Athena's Aegis is
surrounded by Fear, Strife, Force and Pursuit or
sometimes by snakes, and in the center there is the
Gorgon Medusa's head. The Owl is Athena's bird, but
sometimes she has been depicted with a Rooster on her
helmet and it has been assumed that the Rooster might
have been considered as sacred to her. Others say that
the Rooster is sacred to Helios (Sun) and proclaims when
he is about to rise. The Olive Tree is also sacred, it
was her gift to Athens.
Poseidon.
The Trident, which he received from the
Cyclopes, is Poseidon's best known attribute. Poseidon is
associated to Horses, which were first tamed by him, and
also to Bulls. Poseidon is often depicted with a Dolphin.
Demeter.
Demeter has been represented holding
sheaves of Corn and Grain, Poppies and Snakes.
Hades.
Hades is known to own a Helmet which
makes him invisible and it's his most prized possession.
His symbol is also his two-pronged spear, which he used
as a weapon much like Poseidon did his trident.
Hera.
The Peacock was the bird sacred to Hera.
The Pomegranate also has appeared as an attribute of
Hera, perhaps in her role as an ancient Death-goddess.
The Cuckoo is also a bird sacred to Hera because when
Zeus was in love with Hera he changed himself into a
Cuckoo. She has also been associated with the Cow and the Lion.
Hestia.
This kind, humble and most peaceable of all the
Olympians never really bothered choosing an emblem of her own, even
though the Goddess of the hearth's attribute was said to be the Sacred
Flame.
Aphrodite.
The Rose and the Myrtle are sacred to
Aphrodite and said to be connected with the story of
Adonis. The Dove and Sparrow are Aphrodite's birds, as
well as the swans, which pulled her chariot. Since
ancient times Aphrodite has been depicted as coming out
from a Shell. Aphrodite is often seen holding an Apple,
the prize of beauty she won in the Judgement of Paris.
Apollo.
The Bow and the Quiver are the attributes
of this god who strikes from afar, and also the Lyre,
which some say was invented by Hermes. Since Daphne, pursued by Apollo, changed into a Laurel tree,
the god is associated with the Laurel because he broke a
branch from the tree and placed it on his head. Another emblem of Apollo
was a Mouse - Mice were supposed to know the secrets of the earth, and
tell them to him.
Ares.
The God of war was generally represented
in a brilliant suit of armor, a plumed helmet on his
proud young head, a poised spear in one muscular hand and
a finely wrought shield on the other. His bird was the
vulture and his animal was the dog. Other emblems of Ares were the Wild
Boar and a bloodstained Spear.
Artemis.
Artemis is often represented with the Bow
and Quiver of the huntress and with emblems representing
the Moon and the Stars. She is often seen in the company
of a Hind or a Dog. Another emblem of Artemis is the She-Bear.
Dionysus.
The Thyrsus, a staff that is crowned with
ivy, is sacred to Dionysus and an emblem of his worship.
Also Vine Leaves and Bunches of Grapes are associated
with him. The Tiger is another attribute of Dionysus, having once
visited India and brought tigers back as souvenirs.
Hephaestus.
This god is mostly seen with the hammer
and tongs of the smith. Because he was lame in the legs, due to his fall
from Olympus, one of his symbols was the Quail, a bird that does a
hobbling dance in the springtime.
Hermes.
The Petasus, which is a round winged hat
and the Winged Sandals are two well known attributes of
Hermes. Another one is the Caduceus, which is a winged
staff entwined with two serpents (the medical emblem
resembles this, but it is not the same). The Crane is also one of
Hermes' emblems, because cranes fly in a V - the first letter he wrote,
as the inventor of the alphabet.
Persephone.
The Pomegranate is associated with
Persephone. Because of having eaten a seed or seeds of
Pomegranate Persephone became for ever bound to Hades.
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