Who was the mother of Astraea?
The Titaness Themis, the goddess of divine law and order, is often cited as Astraea’s mother. However, alternative accounts—such as Hesiod’s Theogony—suggest her mother was Eos, the goddess of dawn.
What is the spiritual meaning of Astraea?
In Greek mythology, Astraea was the spiritual embodiment of divine justice and innocence. She also represented moral clarity and was a figure of hope.
Where did Astraea live?
During the Golden Age of Man, Astraea lived among humans. Once humanity was corrupted, she fled Earth and lived with the stars as the constellation Virgo.
When did Astraea leave Earth?
Astraea left Earth at the end of the Golden Age of Man, just before the mythological Silver Age began.
Why is Astraea associated with justice and the stars in Greek mythology?
Astraea’s parentage influenced her domains. As a daughter of Themis and Zeus, her affinity for justice was natural. She became associated with the stars after fleeing Earth, a mythical event that would be highlighted when considering her alternative parents: Eos (dawn) and Astraeus (dusk).
How was Astraea born?
Astraea was born to Themis and Zeus (Hyginus) or Eos and Astraeus (Hesiod). While the circumstances around her birth remain a mystery, her significance as a symbol of divine justice is undeniable.
Table of Contents
Origins and Family of Astraea
Astraea was the virgin goddess of justice and innocence and one of the illustrious members of the Greek gods’ family tree. As the daughter of Themis and Zeus, she descended from powerful parents and the Titans themselves. Her siblings were many:
- The Horae (The Seasons)
- Eunomia
- Dike
- Eirene
- The Moirai (The Fates)
- Clotho
- Lachesis
- Atropos
From her father’s various marriages and affairs, Astraea was also a half-sister of several Olympians and legendary heroes.
In the alternative story of Astraea as the daughter of Eos and Astraeus, Astraea would instead have been the sister of the Anemoi (the Winds), Eosphorus (Venus, the morning star), and the stars. From Eos, she would have been the half-sister of the heroes Memnon and Emathion, as well as other mythological figures.
Astraea’s Name and Role
The name “Astraea” derives from the Greek word “ἀστήρ” (astḗr), which means “star.” Thus, her name translates directly to “star-maiden.”
With her celestial nature at the forefront of her identity, Astraea and her connection to other astrological deities played a significant role in mythology. Her fleeing Earth at the end of the Golden Age not only put Virgo in the sky but also stressed the significance of humanity falling to moral depravity and wickedness in the mythological narrative.
After all, Astraea was the goddess of virtue, purity, and justice. Her being the last of the immortals to leave Earth showed just how far humanity had fallen. It also gave greater importance to the stars and heavens—that would be where the gods, their favor, and their justice could be found.
Astraea’s Appearance and Personality
Astraea appeared in ancient art much like other celestial deities: with a halo of light, wings, and a flaming torch in hand. She was always portrayed as a young, peaceful woman.
Some depictions of this goddess of innocence and fairness had her wielding a thunderbolt—Zeus’s implement of divine justice—or a sword. In others, she held her mother’s scales, emphasizing her role in preserving heavenly balance.
A handful of images show Astraea holding a sheaf of wheat. Though she was not a fertility god, the wheat harkens back to her presence in the Golden Age.
As for personality, Astraea’s can only be implied from myths and inferred from art.
Since Astraea served as a symbol of hope after she fled to the heavens, it is safe to say there were few negative traits associated with Astraea. Unlike her sister Dike, who was strictly law and order, and the spirit of justice itself, Astraea was the purity of thought and the peace that came with order. She was wholly caring and benevolent.
Astraea in the Golden Age
The Golden Age was a legendary period of peace and prosperity on Earth when the Titan Cronus was in power. It was literally Heaven on Earth, an era where humans lived like gods and knew no sorrow, turmoil, or painful death.[1]
When the Titanomachy happened, humankind fell into wickedness.
They stopped worshipping the gods and turned against one another. Humanity’s corruption caused many gods to leave Earth, but the last to run was Astraea. As the legend goes, Astraea—the goddess of justice and purity—was devastated by human actions and fled to the stars with a broken heart.
Transformation into Virgo
In popular depictions, the Virgo constellation appears to be a woman holding a bundle of grain. Although the constellation is often identified with the goddesses Dike and Persephone, it is mythically tied to Astraea. Ancient artistic depictions of Virgo, when trying to capture the likeness of Astraea, would have her holding scales in her non-dominant hand.
Symbolism and Virtues of Astraea
For centuries, Astraea was—and for many, still is—a beacon of hope and righteousness. Scholars, authors, and poets have praised Astraea with the dream that she would one day usher in a new Golden Age.
Various works in art and literature have Astraea as a force of justice and equity. In the painting of Salvator Rosa, Astraea Leaving the Earth, she is shown as a light in the dark, giving hope to the hopeless.[2]
Astraea’s Powers and Attributes
Astraea had no clear-cut power like some other gods and goddesses did. Her influence was more subtle and not heavily discussed in myth. Astraea came to symbolize fairness and, to a degree, harmony because of her associations with the Golden Age. Her flight from Earth cemented humankind’s misery in the coming Ages.
Several artistic depictions of Astraea, particularly those where she is holding a sword and scales, mark her as a divine judge of the same caliber as Themis, Nemesis, and Dike. It can then be assumed that Astraea had some ability to discern the truth and dish out divine retribution.
Myths and Stories of Astraea
Astraea is not featured in many myths and legends of ancient Greece. However, she is featured heavily in tales of the Ages of Man and referenced in the works of Hesiod, Ovid, and Virgil.
The later Roman poets would hope for Astraea’s return to Earth and a new Golden Age—Virgil specifically associated Astraea’s renewal with the prosperity of Augustan rule.[3]
Modern Interpretations of Astraea
Astraea has featured in her fair share of contemporary culture. Besides an entire astrology sign based on her, her likeness has also inspired the look of Lady Justice (sometimes attributed to her sister Dike or her mother Themis).
Most famously, Astraea’s name and dedication to justice were used in the 1977 TV series, Space Sentinels. A superhero, Astraea, could morph into any living thing, and she protected Earth with the other two Sentinels, Hercules and Mercury.[4]
Wrapping Up the Starry Tale of Astraea
Astraea was a goddess of justice and purity in Greek mythology. She represented moral integrity, symbolized justice, and was the hope of tomorrow. Although beloved among humans, she fled Earth after the collapse of the Golden Age of Man. She sought refuge in the stars, where she became the Virgo constellation.
Within myth, Astraea reflected humankind’s potential for good. While Astraea isn’t expected to return to Earth anytime soon, her legacy endures in modern representations of justice and in literature, art, and popular culture.
References
- Evelyn-White, Hugh G., trans. 1914. “Hesiod, Works and Days.” Perseus Digital Library. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0132%3Acard%3D109.
- “Astraea leaving the Earth.” n.d. Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien. www.khm.at/en/object/1596/.
- Virgil. n.d. Eclogues IV. https://www.loebclassics.com/view/virgil-eclogues/1916/pb_LCL063.49.xml?readMode=recto.
- “Astraea | SuperFriends Wiki | Fandom.” n.d. SuperFriends Wiki. https://superfriends.fandom.com/wiki/Astraea#Appearances.