Why is Hera's symbol a cow?

Answer 1

Cows were sacred to Hera because in many cultures they represented motherhood. As for the peacock, it's never explained why she prefers it to other birds, however the story of Io explains how the peacock got its special feathers. it is possible that the peacock was made sacred to Hera because its call resembles (and is often mistaken for) the cry of a child, which would always send a mother running.

Answer 2

Hera's association with cows is her oldest. As the patroness of motherhood, the association with cows becomes clear. Cows were seen as the paragon of matronly duty because they continued to produce milk, even when they had no young to rear, something not even human do.

Peacocks were associated with Hera after the conquests of Alexander. The myth of Io explains that Zeus turned the young maid into a white cow to give to Hera as a gift (to avoid being caught). She knew the ruse and placed the cow under the guard of Argus, a giant with 50 pairs of eyes. He would never sleep with more than half at a time, making him an excellent steward. To save Io, Zeus ordered Hermes to kill Argus, which he did after lulling the giant to sleep with all his eyes. Hera, on discovering her faithful servant dead, commemorated him by placing his eyes on the tail of the already beautiful Peacock, which she then took as her favorite bird.

Answer 3

She was the goddess of marriage and mothers. The cow is a motherly animal.

Answer 4

The cow is one of Hera's symbol. It is a motherly animal, and Hera is the goddess of motherhood.

Answer 5

Annabeth had an argument with Hera. Read the books for more information! :D