In our solar system, there are eight planets. Each of these planets has been named after a Roman god or goddess. But did you know that the Greek gods have equivalents for each of these planets?
We will explore the names of the planets and their corresponding Greek gods and goddesses. Are you ready to learn about some powerful deities?
The Sun
In Greek mythology, the sun is associated with the god Apollo. Apollo is one of the most important and widely worshipped Olympian deities in ancient Greek religion and Greek mythology. Apollo is often depicted as a young man with golden hair and sun rays emanating from his head. He is also known as the God of Light, Truth, and Healing.
Before Apollo there was Helios, who was the personification of the sun in Greek mythology. Helios was often described as a handsome young man who drove a chariot across the sky every day. He was also said to be very vain and would often admire himself in his shiny shield.
The Moon
The moon is usually associated with the goddess Selene in Greek mythology. Selene is the goddess of the moon and is often depicted as a beautiful woman with long, flowing hair. She is also sometimes shown riding a chariot pulled by two white horses.
In some stories, Selene is in love with the handsome shepherd Endymion and visits him every night as he sleeps in a cave on Mount Latmus. Endymion was a mortal man who was granted eternal youth and immortality by Zeus. Selene is also the mother of 50 daughters, known as the Menae, who were said to personify the moon’s phases.
Mercury
Mercury is the smallest planet in our solar system and is named after the Roman god Mercury. In Greek mythology, Mercury is the god Hermes.
Hermes is the messenger of the gods and is often portrayed as a young man with wings on his feet. He is also the patron god of travelers, thieves, and commerce.
Hermes was said to be very quick and cunning. He was also known for his gift of persuasion and his ability to talk his way out of any situation. Hermes was also the guide for souls on their journey to the underworld.
Venus
Venus is the second planet from the sun and is named after the Roman goddess Venus. In Greek mythology, Venus is known as Aphrodite. Aphrodite is the goddess of love, beauty, and pleasure. She is often depicted as a beautiful woman with long, flowing hair.
Aphrodite was said to be born from the foam of the sea. She was also the wife of Hephaestus, the god of fire, blacksmiths, and metalworking. Aphrodite was often associated with the Etruscan goddess Turan.
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the sun and is the only planet that is known to support life. In Greek mythology, Earth is associated with the goddess Gaia. Gaia is the personification of the earth and is often portrayed as a beautiful woman.
Gaia was the mother of all life on earth, including the gods and mortals. She was also the wife of Uranus, the god of the sky. Gaia was said to have given birth to the mountains, rivers, and plants.
Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the sun and is named after the Roman god of war, Mars. In Greek mythology, Mars is known as Ares. Ares is the god of war and is often portrayed as a young man with a muscular build.
Ares was said to be cruel and violent. He was also the son of Zeus and Hera. Ares was often associated with the goddess Aphrodite, with whom he was said to have had a passionate affair which resulted in several children.
Jupiter
Jupiter is the fifth planet from the sun and is named after the Roman god Jupiter. In Greek mythology, Jupiter is known as Zeus. Zeus is the king of the gods and is often portrayed as a mature man with a beard.
Zeus was said to be the most powerful of all the gods. He was also the husband of Hera and the father of many Olympian gods and goddesses, including Apollo, Ares, Aphrodite, Hermes, and Persephone. Zeus was often associated with the thunderbolt, which was his weapon of choice.
Some of the moons of Jupiter are named after the lovers of Zeus, including Io, Europa, and Ganymede.
Saturn
Saturn is the sixth planet from the sun and is named after the Roman god of agriculture, Saturn. In Greek mythology, Saturn is known as Cronus. Cronus was the leader of the Titans and is often portrayed as an old man with a long beard.
Cronus was said to be very wise and just. He was also the husband of Rhea and the father of Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hera, Demeter, and Hestia. Cronus was overthrown by his son Zeus and was banished to Tartarus.
Some of the moons of Saturn are named after the Titan gods such as Tethys, Iapetus, Phoebe, and Rhea.
Uranus
Uranus is the seventh planet from the sun and is named after the Greek god of the sky, Uranus. Uranus was said to be the father of the Titans and the grandfather of Zeus.
Uranus was often associated with the constellation Aries. He was also said to be the father of Gaia, the personification of the earth. Uranus was overthrown by his son Cronus.
Neptune
Neptune is the eighth planet from the sun and is named after the Roman god of the sea, Neptune. In Greek mythology, Neptune is known as Poseidon. Poseidon is the brother of Zeus and Hades and is often portrayed as a mature man with a beard.
Poseidon was said to be very powerful and was often associated with horses. He was also the husband of Amphitrite and the father of Triton. Poseidon was overthrown by his brother Zeus.
Pluto
Pluto was the ninth planet from the sun until it was reclassified as a dwarf planet and is named after the Roman god of the underworld, Pluto. In Greek mythology, Pluto is known as Hades.
Hades is the brother of Zeus and Poseidon and is often portrayed as a young man with a dark complexion. Hades was said to be the ruler of the underworld. He was also the husband of Persephone and the father of Cerberus.
The largest moon of Pluto is Charon, which is named after the boatman who ferries souls across the river Styx to the underworld.
Ceres
Ceres is a dwarf planet and is named after the Roman goddess of agriculture, Ceres. In Greek mythology, Ceres is known as Demeter. Demeter is the sister of Zeus and Hades and is often portrayed as a mature woman with a maternal nature.
Demeter was said to be very kind and loving. She was also the mother of Persephone. Demeter was often associated with the harvest and is said to have created the first grain of wheat.