Aphrodite
The Greek goddess of love, lust, and beauty. She was often shown as a beautiful women often appearing nude. She is often accompanied by the winged godling, Eros which means love. Aphrodite is the daughter of Ouranos and Hemera and accordingly married Adonis. The myrtle, dove, sparrow, and swan are sacred to her. The swan and the rose were both symbols of Aphrodite.
Apollo
He has been recognized as a god of light and the sun; truth and prophecy; archery; medicine and healing; music, poetry, and the arts; and more. Apollo is the son of Zeus and Leto, and has a twin sister, the huntress Artemis. In art, he is often depicted as a handsome young man with golden hair normally carrying a bow. Apollo's symbol was the golden lyre which is an old musical instrument.
Ares
The son of Zeus and Hera. Though often referred to as the Olympian god of war, or bloodlust. Ares was often pictured with brazen armor and a spear. He was often known for the unpredictable violence of war. His symbol is the spear.
Artemis
The daughter of Zeus and Leto, and the twin sister of Apollo. She was the goddess of forests and hills. Artemis was often depicted carrying a bow and arrows and the deer was sacred to her. Sometimes she was also shown with a crescent moon near her. The moon is the symbol of Artemis.
Athena
The goddess of intelligence and war. Unlike Ares who is just the violence of war, Athena is also the strategies and intelligence of war. She was also the patron goddess of Athens who built the Parthenon in her honor. Athena's symbol is the owl.
Hades
The god of the underworld and the dead. Hades and his brothers Zeus and Poseidon defeated the Titans and claimed rulership over the universe ruling the underworld, sky, and sea. Because of his association with the underworld, Hades is often thought of as a grim figure. He is often associated with a sceptre, cornucopia, or Cerburus, the three-headed dog. In fact, his symbol is the cornucopia.
Hephaestus
The god of technology, blacksmiths, craftsmen, artisans, sculptors, metals, and fire. He was worshipped in all the manufacturing and industrial centers of Greece, especially Athens. Hephaestus and his brother Ares were sons of Hera. Hephaestus was often remembered as the blacksmith of the gods. His symbol was fire and a blacksmith's hammer.
Hera
The wife and older sister of Zeus. She is the goddess of marriage. The peacock was sacred to her and she is often depicted with a peacock somewhere near her. She is the daughter of Cronus and Rhea. Hera is the most beautiful of the immortals. Her symbols were the peacock and the cow.
Hermes
The winged messenger of the Olympians, Hermes was the son of Zeus and Maia. As a friend to the mortals, he introduced weights and measures and he also escorts the dead to Hades. He is the giver of good luck and he taught mortals all arts, such as how to make roads and markets. In ancient times, a bust of Hermes was placed at the top of pillars to mark boundaries. His symbols were winged sandals and helmet.
Hestia
The goddess of the home and hearth. She is the first born child of Rhea and Cronus. Hestia is the sister to Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades. She was once a member of the Twelve Olympians, but she gave up her place later on for the god Dionysus. The sacred flame and the circle are both symbols for Hestia.
Poseidon
The god of the sea and of horses. He is the brother of Zeus and Hades. Poseidon was given a trident during the war of the Titans and the gods. When they overthrew the Titans, Poseidon took over the sea among other things. He is the son of Cronus and Rhea . Poseidons' symbols were the dolphin and the trident.
Zeus
The ruler of the gods, the ruler of Mount Olympus, and the god of the sky and thunder. Zeus was the child of Cronus and Rhea, and the youngest of his siblings. He is married to Hera, the queen of the gods. He is often depicted either standing, striding forward, or seated in a throne of royalty. His symbols are the thunderbolt, eagle, bull and the oak.
