Symbols
The symbols of the hearth and its fire are synonymous with Hestia. But other than that, she sat on a plain wooden throne with a white woollen cushion and did not trouble to choose an emblem for herself.
Family
Parents: Cronus and Rhea
Siblings: Zeus, Hades, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter
Consorts: None
Children: None
Siblings: Zeus, Hades, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter
Consorts: None
Children: None
Story
Hestia does not have a distinct personality. She plays no part in myths. Of all the Olympians, she is the mildest, most upright and most charitable. According to myths, Hestia was the first born child of Cronos and Rhea who was swallowed by her father at birth. When Zeus defeated Cronos, he forced the old Titan to disgorge Hestia and her siblings. As the first to be swallowed she was also the last to be disgorged, and so was named as both the eldest and youngest of the six Cronides. When the gods Apollo and Poseidon sought for her hand in marriage, Hestia refused and asked Zeus to let her remain an eternal virgin.
In the public domain, the hearth of the prytaneum (in general in ancient Greece, each state, city or village possessed its own central hearth and sacred fire, representing the unity and vitality of the community. The fire was kept alight continuously, tended by the king or members of his family. The building in which this fire was kept was the Prytaneum) functioned as her official sanctuary. With the establishment of a new colony, flame from Hestia's public hearth in the mother city would be carried to the new settlement.
Hestia didn't have many temples dedicated to her, as most other gods of her stature did, but that wasn't because she was not worshiped. Actually, she was probably worshiped more than any other ancient Greek god or goddess. Every sacrifice made to the gods began with a sacrifice to Hestia to receive her blessing for the offering.
In the public domain, the hearth of the prytaneum (in general in ancient Greece, each state, city or village possessed its own central hearth and sacred fire, representing the unity and vitality of the community. The fire was kept alight continuously, tended by the king or members of his family. The building in which this fire was kept was the Prytaneum) functioned as her official sanctuary. With the establishment of a new colony, flame from Hestia's public hearth in the mother city would be carried to the new settlement.
Hestia didn't have many temples dedicated to her, as most other gods of her stature did, but that wasn't because she was not worshiped. Actually, she was probably worshiped more than any other ancient Greek god or goddess. Every sacrifice made to the gods began with a sacrifice to Hestia to receive her blessing for the offering.
Counterparts
Her Roman equivalent is known as Vesta.