Hestia

Hestia

Other Names / Variations:	Unknown
Meaning of Name:	Hearth
Gender (if known):	Female
Origin / Tradition:	Greek
Attributes / Spheres of Influence:	The Hearth, the Altar, & the Home
Major Site of Worship:	Unknown
Name of Major Temple:	Unknown
Symbols:	Fire
Appropriate Incense / Fragrances:	Unknown
Appropriate Offerings:	Sweet Wine (ie Port Wines)
Animals Associated with the Deity:	Unknown
Colors Associated with the Deity:	Unknown
Plants Associated with the Deity:	Unknown
Direction Associated with the Deity:	Unknown
Married to:	No One. Hestia is an eternal virgin.
Children:	None - see above
Miscellaneous:	Sister to Hephaestus

Basic Information / General Synopsis:

Hestia is the goddess of the hearth and is a virginal goddess. Young girls were the keepers of the hearth fires in the homes as they were considered pure like the hearth fire. It was considered to be unconscionable to have sex in front of the hearth fires (it was a 'polluted' act which was an affront to the purity of the fire).

Although we know she had a cult, very little information survives about her. She is virtually unknown except in depictions in artwork and occasionally in literature. (1)

“The name Vesta comes from the Greeks, for she is the goddess whom they call Hestia. Her power extends over altars and hearths, and therefore all prayers and all sacrifices end with this goddess, because she is the guardian of the innermost things. Closely related to this function are the Penates or household gods.”

–Cicero. De Natura Deorum 2.27 (2)

“To Kronos and Rhea, we are told, were born Hestia, Demeter, and Hera, and Zeus, Poseidon, and Haides.

Of these, they say, Hestia discovered how to build houses, and because of this benefaction of hers practically all men have established her shrine in every home, according her honours and sacrifices.”

–Diodorus Siculus. The Library of History. 5.68.1 (2)

In Greek mythology, Hestia was the goddess of home and hearth, and she represented the ideal of purity in these areas. Possibly for this reason Hestia was an eternal virgin, deliberately remaining aloof from the advances of the male gods. It is important to note, however, that both Poseidon and Apollo sought to court her, but she refused them. Indeed, it is also worth mentioning that in the Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite, Hestia, along with Athena and Artemis, were the only goddesses immune to the passions aroused by the enchanting Aphrodite.

The goddess Hestia was one of the first generation of Olympians. According to the Greek poet Hesiod, she was the daughter of two Titans - Kronos and Rhea - and therefore also the sister of Demeter, Hades, Hera, Poseidon, and Zeus. Hesiod's Theogony features the following information about the birth of Hestia and her siblings (who were collectively to become known as Olympian gods and goddesses):

"Rhea succumbed to Kronos's love and bore him illustrious children,
Hestia and Demeter and Hera, who walks in golden sandals,
imperious Hades, whose heart knows no mercy
in his subterranean dwelling, and the rumbling Earthshaker,
and Zeus the counselor and father of gods and men,
Zeus under whose thunder the wide earth quivers."
(Hesiod, Theogony, 453-458)

Despite her importance in Greek religion, Hestia is not well represented in either mythology or art. Be that as it may, the goddess received her share of honors, including a dedicatory Homeric Hymn.

Homeric Hymn to Hestia

"Hestia, you who tend the sacred dwelling
of the far-shooting lord, Apollo, at holy Pytho,
from your tresses flowing oil ever drips down.
Come to this house! Come in gentle spirit
with resourceful Zeus and grant grace to my song!"

Hestia was called Vesta in Roman mythology. (f)

Mythos:

Coming Soon!

Hymns: (2)

"Hestia, you who tend the holy house of the lord Apollon, the Far-shooter at goodly Pytho, with soft oil dripping ever from your locks, come now into this house, come, having one mind with Zeus the all-wise - draw near, and withal bestow grace upon my song."

-Homeric Hymn XXIV to Hestia

"Hestia, in the high dwellings of all, both deathless gods and men who walk on earth, you have gained an everlasting abode and highest honour: glorious is your portion and your right. For without you mortals hold no banquet, - where one does not duly pour sweet wine in offering to Hestia both first and last.

And you, Argeiphontes, Son of Zeus and Maia, .. be favourable and help us, you and Hestia, the worshipful and dear. Come and dwell in this glorious house in friendship together; for you two, well knowing the noble actions of men, aid on their wisdom and their strength.
Hail, Daughter of Kronos, and you also, Hermes."

-Homeric Hymn XXIX to Hestia

“To Hestia, Fumigation from Aromatics. Daughter of Kronos, venerable dame, who dwellest amidst great fire’s eternal flame; in sacred rites these ministers are thine, mystics much blessed, holy and divine. In thee the Gods have fixed their dwelling place, strong, stable basis of the mortal race. Eternal, much formed, ever florid queen, laughing and blessed, and of lovely mien; accept these rites, accord each just desire, and gentle health and needful good inspire.”

–Orphic Hymn 84 to Hestia

“Daughter of Rhea, guardian of parliaments, Hestia, sister of all-highest Zeus, and of Hera who shares his throne, welcome with goodwill to your sacred hall Aristagoras, and his fellows with goodwill, beneath your glorious sceptre. For they in honouring you keep watch and ward on Tenedos island and secure her weal. First of all other gods they worship you with many a gift of wine and many a victim, and the lure sounds for you, and song. And at their well-spread tables, never bare, the rites of Zeus, the hospitable father, receive their due.”

–Pindar Nemean 11 str1-ant2

Additional Imagery

Hestia & Demeter seated at the feast of the gods on Olympos. These two sisters were frequently depicted as companions both in scenes of Olympos and at the wedding of Thetis.

Resource List

All entries are taken verbatim from the original source unless otherwise noted:

(2) http://www.theoi.com/Kronos/Hestia.html

(f) http://www.loggia.com/myth/myth.html

Other sources used:

(1) Personal & professor's notes from the class: Classics 323 - Greek Religion. Taken Winter Quarter 2003 at The Ohio State University.