Hestia

 **Hestia** Goddess of hearth, the center of the home, and home life. The most tender, loving, and forgiving. ** Symbols ** - consist of the circle and the eternal flame. ** Colors - **  lavender, gold, black and silver.

** Aromatic scents - ** lavender, angelica, and peony. ** Gemstones and metals - **  gold, silver, brass, garnet, and amethyst. ** Plants - ** hollyhock, goldenrod, poppy, purple coneflower, and yarrow. [|Hestia] was the god of the [|hearth], a fire place, found in almost every house. She swore a vow of eternal chastity. This was typically the center of every house. She was the first daughter of Cronus and Rhea and the last one to be rescued by [|Zeus]. Hestia did not meddle in human affairs, as evidenced by her not appearing in in myths. Hestia once had one of the twelve thrones on Mt. Olympus. When [|Dionysus] was born Hestia decided to give up her throne for the other god and tend Hearth on the Olympus.
 * Overview **

Hestia was the [|Greek] goddess of the hearth fire, she watched over and controlled domestic life and she symbolized the alliance of Metropolis, which was the "mother-city". She was the most gentle of all the Olympian gods. Hestia was the oldest daughter of [|Rhea]  and  [|Cronus] , this made her the older sister to  [|Zeus]. Hestia's brothers were [|Zeus], [|Poseidon], and [|Hades]. Her sisters were [|Demeter] and [|Hera]. The Romans had a similar god,  [|Vesta]  , they built her a temple in the forum. In [|Greek] Mythology, she had no throne, however, there was a sacred fire in the hall of Olympus and every hearth on Earth was her alter. She was a virgin goddess. Although  [|Poseidon]   , her brother, and   [|Apollo]   , her nephew, both tried to woo her, she swore to [|Zeus] to remain a virgin, because of this, she never had any children. S  he swore to never marry, and instead she would follow her own path of service to family, home and community. Zeus was so greatful to Hestia's decision that he awarded her the first victim of every public sacrifice for keep the peace on Olympus.
 * Background **

** Personality ** Hestia did not have a distinct personality, except she was known to be most kind. She did not have a part in any myths. She was the goddess of the Hearth, which was the symbol of a house in which a new born child is carried before it is received into the family. Each city had a public hearth sacred to Hestia, where the fire was never allowed to go out. Of all the Olympians, she was the mildest, most upright and most charitable. She was known to be strong, nurturing and protective. Hestia's humanizing quality was her kindness. Kindness can be a weakness and a strength, depending on where it is used.

Because Hestia did not have a major part in any myths, her powers are not known. She was however, know as the kindest goddess. Which is a power in it self. She gave up her seat on Olympus to Dionysus to tend to the sacred fire on Mt. Olympus. Hestia left Olympus partial ly because she did not want to get involved in the Gods' fights and squabbles. Hestia never got involved in human affairs like other gods did.
 * Accomplishments **

When worshiping the gods, Hestia would always come first. This was because she was the god of the home. Although Hestia had a hearth as a shrine in every house, she also had a large temple, like most gods. For the [|Greeks], her [|temple]  had no roof, unlike most gods.
 * Hestia Worship **

Hestia's origin was simple. She was the first child of Cronus and because Cronus feared being overthrown by his children, he would eat them. Hestia, being the first child was eaten first. However, when [|Zeus] and his brothers went to over throw Cronus, Hestia was the last child to be spat out by Cronus. This made her older and younger then all of her siblings, and thus she was also known as the "First and Last."
 * Origin **

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 * The story of Hestia **

** Athena, Ailia. "Hestia" Women in Greek Myths. 7 Oct. 2008. 
 * Works Cited

Farrell, Elizabeth. "The Greek Goddess Hestia." Suite 101. 27 May 2007. .

Gill, N.G. "Hestia - Greek Goddess Hestia." Ancient/Classical History. 2009. .

"Hestia." //Greek Mythology//. 2000. Web.26 Apr. 2009. .

"Hestia" ThinkQuest. 2009. 

"Hestia." //Wikipedia//. Web.26 Apr. 2009. . Lindemans, Micha. "Hestia." //Encyclopedia Mythica//. 1997. Web.26 Apr. 2009. .