Maia is a Pleiad Nymph, best known for being the mother of Hermes, a major deity in Greek Mythology.
Genealogy and Family[]
Maia is the first born of The Pleiades, Nymphs of Rain, and one of the many daughters of the Oceanid, Pleione and the Titan God Atlas, who personifies Strength and Endurance. Maia's sisters include the other six Pleiades and The Hyades, who were also Nymphs of Rain, she has one brother, Hyas, a minor deity of seasonal rains. With Zeus, she is the mother of the major deity, Hermes.
Stories[]
Zeus made love to Maia during the night, and after discovering she was pregnant, Maia hid in a cave, so Hera could not harm her. Her son, Hermes rapidly grew and left the cave, herded Apollo's cows and created the first Lyre out of a Tortoise's shell which he gave to his brother, Apollo, Hermes would eventually be discovered by his father, Zeus and was eventually instated as a member of the 12 Olympians, having impressed the Gods.
Maia is also responsible for protecting, raising and teaching Dionysus for some time, alongside the other Pleiades, giving him a safe, fulfilling upbringing away from the dangers of his vengeful aunt and stepmother, Hera, after Zeus delivered Dionysus to the sisters.
Maia also raised the illegitimate son of Zeus and Callisto- Arcas, after his mother, Callisto had been turned into a bear by Zeus, to protect her from Hera, Callisto also having been forced to live in the forest too.
The last story mentioned of The Pleiades, records them travelling with their mother Pleione, who captured the eyes of the giant Huntsman, Orion, who attacked Pleione, Pleione however escaped him with her daughters, who became constantly on the lookout and hiding from Orion. And Zeus feeling pity on the Nymphs, transformed them into stars. Maia become one of the stars in The Pleiades Star Cluster.
Significance[]
Personality and Appearance[]
Relationships[]
Trivia[]
Maia's official Greek name is Μαια, which means "nursing mother".