In ancient Greek religion and mythology, Hestia is the virgin goddess of the hearth, sacred and sacrificial fire, virginity, family, domesticity, the home, and the state. Hestia’s name means “hearth, fireplace, altar”, her name making her a personification of the hearth and its fire. Responsibility for Hestia’s domestic cult usually fell to the leading woman of the household.

In myth, she is the first born child of the Titans Cronus and Rhea. She is the sister to Demeter, Hades, Hera, Poseidon, and Zeus.

Greek custom required that as the goddess of sacrificial fire, Hestia should receive the first offering at every sacrifice in the household. Whenever a new colony was established, a flame from Hestia’s public hearth in the mother city would be carried to the new settlement.