Hephaestus, << hih FEHS tuhs, >> was the blacksmith of the gods in Greek mythology. The Greeks associated him with the creative fire used in blacksmithing and the crafts. They credited him with making marvelous objects and inventions. He also formed the first woman, sometimes called Pandora.
Hephaestus was represented as lame. His lameness was probably a projection of his worshipers. Many ancient Greek blacksmiths were lame. They became blacksmiths because their disability made them unfit to serve as warriors, hunters, or farmers. The Greeks associated Hephaestus with volcanic areas. He is especially linked with the island of Limnos (also spelled Lemnos). He was the son of Hera, goddess of marriage and childbirth. In a number of stories, his father was Zeus, king of the gods. According to some myths, Hephaestus was married to Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty. In others, he was married to one of the Graces, who were daughters of Zeus. The Roman god Vulcan resembles Hephaestus.
