Hebe

Siblings: Hephaestus and Ares

**Hebe**, also known as **Juventas**, is the Greek goddess of eternal youth, prime of life and forgiveness as well as the Keeper of the Fountain of Youth. She also serves as the cupbearer to the Dodekatheon gods, serving them ambrosia and nectar.

## Description

She was viewed as the diligent daughter who performed the domestic tasks of Mount Olympus, showing an example for all the unmarried girls in ancient Greece. Apart from serving nectar to the Gods of Olympus, Hebe was also said to be the one who helped her mother, Hera, enter her chariot, and she drew baths for her brother, Ares, as well.

Because Hebe was the Goddess (and sometimes the very personification) of Youth, Hebe was always depreciated as a charming young girl. She either wore a sleeveless dress or was semi-nude. In other portrayals, she was dressed in light garments adorned with roses, on her head was a wreath of flowers, in one hand she carried the amphora of nectar, and in the other is the cup of eternal youthfulness. She is also sometimes shown with wings.

She was also sometimes said to be the Patron of Brides as well as the Goddess of Pardon and Forgiveness. She was said to have the power to restore youthfulness in general. Hebe has been asked by many of the other gods to help them out with their problems of not feeling youthful. She usually does not want to help out with those sort of affairs, but the other gods sometimes convince her that it is actually the right thing to do in certain circumstances. When they have convinced her that it is right, she will do as they say.

## Overview

Hebe is the daughter of Zeus and Hera, making her one of the Olympian king's few legitimate children. Her siblings include Apollo, Ares, Artemis, Athena, Dionysus and Heracles, who would also be her future husband. Hebe was usually seen as a companion of Aphrodite.

Iolaus prayed to Hebe to make him young again for a day in order to fight Eurystheus. While she was reluctant to do so at first, after Themis assured her that it would be just, Hebe granted Iolaus' wish, and he enjoyed one more day of youth in his old age - he charged into battle as a strong and healthy young man, and came out victorious.

Another story would be when Hebe lost her job as the Cupbearer of the Gods, once, she slipped and fell while serving nectar and her dress came undone, exposing her breasts. Apollo immediately fired her for this indecency. Ganymede, the beautiful young man and her male counterpart who charmed all the Gods, became her replacement. This story could be fake however as it was said by the church. The other, more likely, story is that she gave up her cup-bearing position to Ganymede after she married Heracles. Another title of hers for this reason is Ganymeda, meaning "Gladdening Princess".

## Symbols

Hebe has four symbols, these are:

* **Chalice:** One of Hebe's symbols was a decorated cup as she was responsible for filling all the chalices of the gods with nectar.
* **Fountain of Youth:** In Greek mythology, the Fountain of Youth is a special fountain the waters of which could either preserve one's youth eternally or restore youth to one who had lost it. Due to her status as the Goddess of Youth, this fountain could only be summoned and used by Hebe.
* **Lettuce:** It was sometimes said that Hera became pregnant with Hebe only by eating lettuce.
* **Ivy**

## Powers and Abilities

**Divine Object:** Hebe has access to an object that grants them divine/holy powers. They can range from source materials to apparel to fully-designed weapons; whatever the form, they can impart divine powers to those who lack them entirely or augment the already existing holy capabilities.

**Fertility Inducement:** Hebe can induce fertility, the natural desire and capability of growth and reproduction, including restoring fertility to infertile/sterile area/beings. In animals, this increases both the number and health of offspring's and gives the parents, in plants in increases the fertility in the soil, causing healthy botanical growth.

**Indomitable Compassion:** Hebe possesses an indomitably strong compassion; a beautiful and benevolent emotion that drives their caring and sympathetic nature. Always concerned for the suffering of others and bringing emotional warmth to those in need.

**Lunar Deity:** As an archetype, a lunar deity is a god/goddess who represents the Moon, or an aspect of it, usually by its perceived power and strength. Lunar deities and moon worship can be found throughout most of recorded history in various forms.

**Marriage Deity:** Hebe with this ability either is or can transform into a Marriage Deity, a god/goddess in mythology who represents or is associated with marriage, weddings, love and unions between couples.

**Spring Deity:** Hebe with this ability either is or can transform into a spring deity, a god/goddess who represents or is associated with the spring season and any occurrences relating to that, such as seasonal growth with vegetation and the renewal of it.

**Triple Deity:** As the archetype of a triple deity; they are three gods/goddesses who together represent a three-fold concept. Sometimes referred to as "threefold, tripled, triplicate, tripartite, triune or triadic, or as a trinity" are three separate deities or three “in one” acting together to gain higher powers and representing a divine trinity force.

**Tutelary Deity:** As an archetype, a protector deity, is a god/goddess who represents or is associated with protection, guardianship and defense. Commonly known as Tutelary deities, they are fairly common in mythology and were important among ancient civilizations.

**Youth Deity:** Hebe with this ability either is or can transform into a youth deity which is variation of a Health Deity, a god/goddess who represents or is associated with youth, the young and the Spring/Prime of Life. Youth deities were not as common in mythology and but were important among ancient and current civilizations.