The Goddess Hestia. Ancient Greek mythology

A Few millennia of Greek myth struck the human imagination. Brutal, bizarre and tireless Olympians were inspired by prominent artists of the world. Many are attracted to ancient history and today. Especially popular among women is the goddess Hestia.

Family tree

The Pantheon of Greek idols is a real family Saga. Their life was full of scandals, intrigues, twists and turns of love and revenge. One of the few heavenly beings that did not participate in the agreements and disputes, is the patroness of the hearth, Hestia.

According to ancient legend, the world arose out of Chaos, which became the source of life. He gave birth to Gaia, the mother planet. She gave rise to all living things and created clouds, mountains and sea. One of the sons was Uranus, who ruled the sky. They, along with Gaia spawned many children. Each of Chad is responsible for his part of the world. Envious of the power of their offspring, father shut them in the bowels of the earth. For a long time longed for him Gay, and then persuaded them to rebel against Uranus.

One of their sons, Crown (he was responsible for consuming time), dropped the God of Heaven from the throne and himself took the throne. But the new ruler was even more cruel than its predecessor. Realizing that their own children can also start a plot against him, he ordered his wife Rhea to bring him to all his heirs. One by one he swallowed the babies. Among the victims was the goddess Hestia.

Court intrigue

But the wise woman Krone hid one son, who was named Zeus. Until the baby grew up, the world was ruled by an evil tyrant. As soon as the guy got stronger, went to war with his father. First of all, he made the cruel ruler to return his brothers and sisters. So the light went out again the sister of Zeus, goddess of the hearth Hestia, Demeter, responsible for agriculture, and Hera - protector of marriage. Come to life and rebel brothers: Hades - king of the dead, Poseidon - Lord of the seas.

New life

When this Olympic family came to power, people lived in chaos and blindness. They didn't know how to produce their own food, how to cure how to build a home, they do not adhere to any laws. The Titan Prometheus who helped Zeus to conquer the Crown, stood out among the other members of the Pantheon of extraordinary love for people. He taught them to read and write and told how to work the land. But all his efforts would be in vain without fire, which was only available to Olympians.

Tacit collusion

Zeus did not want to teach the brains of people. Moreover, the Governor was going to destroy the stupid race.

According to legend, the Titan decided to steal fire from heaven and give it to the peoples that inhabited the earth. The patron of this phenomenon was the Greek goddess Hestia.

There are several versions of how Prometheus stole a spark. Several sources indicate that the fire daredevil took from the forge of Hephaestus. Another myth says that the hero went to Olympus at a time when they gathered all the inhabitants of the sky. Cunning managed to obtain the desired titanium. He threw in the back of the room an Apple and said, “Let them take the best of the goddesses". All the women rushed for the fruit. Among the belles started the fight. The men watched, transfixed, and waited to see who would win. Meanwhile, Prometheus took a spark and went to the people.

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The Legend also notes that Hestia was aware that cranked hero. She stood out among the other goddesses of wisdom and humility, so I would never have dared to declare himself the first and best. Left to wait in the corner, she realized that she had planned Prometheus, but decided not to stop him because she felt sympathy for the people.

For this trick Zeus severely punished the Titan. But that the goddess Hestia might stop the hero, no one guessed. After people took the fire, they made body and soul equal to the heavenly rulers.

Respect for the Olympians

A Special place among other female idols took the patroness of fire to the Pantheon. Sources indicate that she has an exceptional beauty and humble nature. Heart ladies claimed many men. Among them was Poseidon - the king of the seas and Apollo - owner of the world. But each of the fans Deva denied.

Hestia decided to devote himself to the people, so was not going to be distracted by love and marriage. But the cherished sanctity of these feelings for others, earthly families. Giving the pledge to preserve chastity, she has won great respect among the Olympians. Other goddesses of Greek mythology could not boast of such a deed. Special respect Hestia received from Zeus. For such a generous act, he settled her beside him.

Also the king of Olympus decided that the sister deserves the honor of any meeting to sacrifice first. So for a long time with prayers to this idol began all activities. Also Hestia sacrificed in all the temples irrespective of in whose honour they were built.

Idol altars without

Very few legends and myths have survived. Especially modestly transferred the life of the patroness of the hearth. It is, as befits an innocent virgin, did not participate in court intrigues, rebellions and conspiracies. Lived a simple and modest life. That is why today few people know who this goddess Hestia. The description of herappearance is also not reached to our century. Due to the fact that she could sacrifice not just any Church, but directly at home, her sanctuary was not built. There were literally several altars where modestly celebrated its power.

Not molded and sculptures of Hestia. The Greeks believed that it is impossible to portray as the way as volatile as the flames.

However, some sculptures have saved. One of them shows that patron - a slender woman in a long dress tied with a belt. On the shoulders is thrown a cloak, and his head covered with a shawl. Often the goddess Hestia was holding a lantern as a sign of eternal fire. And to the walls of the lamp was attached to the donkey's ears.

A Symbol of purity

This tradition has deep roots and introduces another interesting myth. According to legend, one day the maid fell asleep under a tree. Passed by Priapus the God of fertility, gardens and fields. This demigod was coming back from holiday, so was in a good mood and drunk. Seeing under the tree as a charming woman, he had fallen in love and decided to kiss Hestia, who was celibate.

Next grazing donkey. When he saw that silly man is trying to make, very angry. After all, this woman-goddess, and an extremely kind and humble. The beast screamed so loud, that all the Olympians came running at the noise. Scared and Priapus immediately ran away.

From that day on, Hestia wears on his flashlight the ears of a donkey. So she thanked the Braves for what he left her in the lurch.

The Cult of the Queen of fire

The Patron was constantly in the shadow of their emotional and insane relatives. She avoided the noisy way of life and a lot of time to work. This image has become a unique symbol of purity and order. She prayed for the preservation of the family. Gave the Queen of fire, rest, harmony and peace in the house.

The Ancient gods and goddesses rightfully was considered the best woman Hestia on Olympus.

The pick acquired cult in Ancient Rome. There the virgin was called Vesta. There was even a unique group where girls in the temples were supposed to maintain a sacred fire. If the flame went out, people were waiting for trouble. They, like their idol, kept her virginity. For thirty years these women lived at the expense of society and was considered an honorable virgins. After girls were allowed to get married. If the priestess met a person led to execution, he could cancel the penalty. This decision discussion could not be.

But the loss of virginity was punishable by death. The culprits were buried alive in the grave. Man, to dishonor the priestess was killed. But history shows that over time the existence of the cult it has only happened a few times. The girls were faithful to their work.

Now there is even a psychological term called "woman goddess Hestia", which means that the person puts the interests of the spiritual above the carnal pleasures.