Goddess Artemis

Artemis is a virgin Greek goddess of the hunt, wilderness, wild animals, the Moon and
archery. She is also a goddess of childbirth and the protector of the girl child up to the
age of marriage. Artemis is one of the Twelve Olympian gods who live in Mount
Olympus. As the goddess of the wilderness, Artemis spends most of her time in the
forest surrounded by animals such as deer, bears, and hunting dogs. Artemis usually
pictured as a young girl armed with her bow and arrow and often accompanied by forest
creatures such as deer and bears, typically wearing a short knee-high tunic.

Artemis’ symbols:
Like any other Greek Olympic gods and goddess, Artemis is said to be immortal and
very powerful. Her symbols are the moon, arrow, bow, hunting dogs, deer, bear, and
chariots. Some said that Artemis’ was made up of gold and was pulled by four golden
horned deer called Elaphoi Khrysokeroi. Some also said her chariot was pulled by four
silver stags. Artemis have the ability to turn herself and others into animals whenever
she wants. It is said that she also has the ability for healing, giving disease to girls and
women, and the control of nature.
Pictures of Artemis’ symbols:

Artemis’ family members:

Artemis was a daughter of Zeus, King of the Gods, and Titaness Leto and twin sister of
the god Apollo. Artemis only have one sibling from both of her parents but many siblings
from her father side. Her other siblings are Aeacus, Angelos, Aphrodite, Ares, Athena,
Dionysus, Eileithyia, Enyo, Eris, Ersa, Hebe, Helen of Troy, Hephaestus, Heracles,
Hermes, Minos, Pandia, Persephone, Perseus, Rhadamanthus, the Graces, the Horae,
the Muses, the Litae, and the Moirai.

Myths of Artemis:
Birth:
There is a myth that said Hera, Queen of the Gods and wife and sister to Zeus, was
angry that Zeus impregnate Leto so she hunted the Titaness over the whole planet and
forbade her to give birth anywhere on Earth. But an island called Delos disobeyed
Hera’s order so Leto went there and gave birth to Artemis and her twin brother Apollo.
Hera heard of this and forbidden her daughter Eileithyia, goddess of childbirth, to help
Leto.
In another myths Artemis was said to be born earlier than Apollo, while others said that
Artemis was born later. One of the myths said that because no one helped Leto to give
birth, Apollo’s birth was postponed for nine or so days. It would take longer if the baby
Artemis hadn’t learned about midwifery to help her mother give birth to her brother.
Artemis and Orion:
Other myths of Artemis are about her and a giant hunter name Orion. Orion was
Artemis’ hunting companion and was pretty close to her. In some versions, Orion was
killed by Artemis, while in others he is killed by scorpion sent by Gaia, the
personification of the Earth, and others said Apollo sent the scorpion. In some versions
of myth, Orion tries to seduced on of Artemis’ followers Optis that caused her to kills
him. On other versions, Orion takes hold of Artemis’ robe and she killed him in self-
defense.
According to Hyginus, a Latin author, Artemis was in love with Orion. Apollo being the
protective brother he is, he tricked Artemis to kill Orion because he was worried about
his sister’s maidenhood. As an honor to Orion, Artemis named one of the constellation
after him.
Aura:
Aura was the daughter of Lelantos and Periboia. She used to be a virgin huntress just
like Artemis and was very proud of her maidenhood. One day, Aura doubted that
Artemis is a virgin because her body was too womanly. Artemis asked Nemesis for help
to avenge her dignity, that caused Aura to be raped by Dionysus, the god of wine.
Angered by what happened to her, Aura became a mad and dangerous killer. She had
twin sons and ate one of them, the other was saved by Artemis and his name was
Iacchus. Later Iacchus became an attendant of Demeter and the leader of Eleusinian
Mysteries.

Why this goddess is my favorite:

Artemis was one of my favorite goddess beside Persephone, Queen of the Underworld
and wife of Hades. Artemis is my favorite because she is a very independent woman
just like goddess Athena and Hestia. She protects girls and women, much like her twin
brother who protect boys and men. One of her sacred animals is deer which is one of
my favorite animals.
Artemis do not let any other people to get in her way of what she desires. She would
find ways to get what she wants and she will get it. She won’t let others to disrespect
her in such ways, and if someone disrespected her, Artemis shows no mercy to them
and their life will not go so well. Just like what happened to Orion and Aura.