Hephaestus

hephaestus image

Hephaestus is the god of blacksmiths and fire. Called "the celestial artificer," he was also associated with other craftsmen (sculptors, carpenters, metalworkers) and, as evident in the name of his Roman counterpart Vulcan, with volcanoes. Even though an ugly god lamed by his own mother he was the husband of none other than Aphrodite herself.

The Revenge if Hephaestus on Hera

On his birth, Hephaestus was rejected by his mother Hera because he was lame. When Hephaestus learned about this, he got very angry and promised to take revenge on her. So she decided to create a magic, golden throne and send it to Mount Olympus as a special "gift" to his mother.

When Hera saw the splendid throne, she immediately got enthused over it and, without thinking, she sat on the throne cheerfully. All at once, invisible, unbreakable chains appeared and tied her up rapidly. Hera cried for help and all the Olympian gods ran for support, but none of them were capable of releasing her. Soon the gods realized that the only one who could liberate Hera was Hephaestus himself.

The gods asked Dionysus, the god of wine, to offer sweet wine to Hephaestus in order to intoxicate him. Dionysus agreed, and he managed to bring Hephaestus up to Mount Olympus and free Hera from her burdens.

The gods thanked Hephaestus by giving him Aphrodite, the goddess of love, as his wife and created a marvelous palace for him on Mount Olympus.

Hephaestus' Symbols

Hephaestus' symbols are a blacksmiths hammer, anvil, and tongs. Less commonly, he is associated with volcanoes and fire.