Theia (also spelled Thea) is a name for one of the Greek Titanides. Theia is one of the twelve gods of the earlier Titan generation in Greek mythology. The Titans were mighty beings who ruled before the Olympians, and they descended from the original gods.
Theia, along with her eleven siblings, is a product of the union between the earth goddess Gaia and the sky god Uranus. Theia, whose name means "goddess" or "divine" in Greek, is the patroness of illumination and sight in Greek mythology.
The ancient Greek goddess Theia is also known by the name Euryphaessa, which means "wide-shining." This name is thought to refer to the dazzling expanse of the upper atmosphere, which was created by Theia.
Theia wed Hyperion, a Titan and her brother. Hyperion is the sun god and the god of great insight. Theia and Hyperion had three children, all of whom were light-manipulating gods of the sky.
The gods Sun (Helios) and Moon (Selena) and Star (Eos) all have their mothers named Theia (the dawn). Theia is known as the goddess from whom all light emerged because of her offspring.
Theia, the Titan goddess of light, is frequently portrayed as having long, wavy blonde hair and pale skin. Either she is bathed in light or she is physically holding light. The Titaness is sometimes depicted with rays of light emanating from her body, the sun and moon representing her offspring.
Theia is the eldest child of the primordial earth and sky goddesses, who have existed since the beginning of time. In ancient writings, Theia is frequently referred to as mild-eyed Euryphaessa. Theia is credited with being the source of the glistening, pure air in the stratosphere, taking the place of the ancient god Aether.
According to the poet Pindar, Theia's role as goddess of light was only one of her many attributes. Gold, silver, and precious stones were bestowed by the goddess Theia. Theia also possessed the ability to control light as it related to jewelry and other precious materials.
It was widely held by the ancient Greeks that Theia, the goddess of sight, was also the goddess of knowledge. Theia, like her sisters Phoebe and Themis, was a goddess of the eyes. Theia is said to have had a temple dedicated to the eyes in Thessaly. Phoebe was linked to a shrine in Delphi, but her sisters were the more well-known prophetic deities.
