Classical+Civilizations+taryn+b

=Hera= is the greek goddess of love and marriage. Known as the Queen of Heaven. She was a queen in her own right long before she married Zeus. The goddess Hera ruled over the heavens and the earth, responsible for every aspect of existence, including the seasons and the weather. She was also worshipped as the Roman goddess Juno, and the month of June (which is the most popular month for weddings) is named in her honor. It is partly on account of Hera's great beauty, and particularly her beautiful, large eyes, that she is linked to her sacred animal, the cow, and also the peacock with its iridescent feathers having "eyes". The cow symbolizes the goddess Hera's nurturing watchfulness over her subjects, while the peacock symbolizes her luxury, beauty, and immortality.

It was Hera's uncommon beauty that attracted the attention of her future husband, the lusty Zeus, who tricked Hera into taking him to her breast by changing himself into a small, frightened and wounded bird that elicited her pity. Once cradled in Hera's bosom, Zeus changed back into his manly form and tried to take her. . . but she resisted his advances, putting him off until he promised to marry her. The delay only increased his desire for Hera and, once married, they had the longest honeymoon on record, lasting over 300 years!

 Unfortunately, the goddess Hera's life was not to remain so enviable. Once the honeymoon was over, Zeus reverted to his earlier "playboy" lifestyle, married or not, compulsively seducing or raping whichever of the Greek goddesses or mortal women caught his wandering eye.

http://www.goddessgift.com/goddess-myths/greek_goddess_hera.htm