6.
Hestia:
I Goddess of the Hearth and
Temple, Wise Woman and
Maiden Aunt
HESTIA THE GODDESS
Hestia was Goddess of the Hearth, or, more specifically, of the
fire burning on a round hearth. She is the least known of the
Olympians. Hestia and her Roman equivalent, Vesta, were not rep-
resented in human form by painters or sculptors. Instead, this god-
dess was felt to be present in the living flame at the center of the
home, temple, and city. Hestia’s symbol was a circle. Her first hearths
were round, and her temples were also. Neither home nor temple
were sanctified until Hestia entered. She made both places holy
when she was there. Hestia was apparently a spiritually felt presence
as well as a sacred fire that provided illumination, warmth, and heat
for food.
GENEALOGY AND MYTHOLOGY
Hestia was the first child born to Rhea and Cronos: she was the
oldest sister of the first-generation Olympians, and maiden aunt to
the second. By birthright, she was one of the twelve major Olympi-
ans, yet she could not be found on Mt. Olympus, and made no
protest when Dionysus, God of Wine, grew in prominence and re-
placed her as one of the twelve. Since she took no part in the love
affairs and wars that so occupied Greek mythology, she is the least
known of the major Greek gods and goddesses. Yet she was greatly
honored, receiving the best offerings made by mortals to the gods.