Juno (Iuno), the queen of heaven and consort of Jupiter. Identified with Hera. She was the protector of women’s lives, including sexual life and motherhood. It was also associated with the Greek goddess of birth, Eileithyia. She was called “the one who allows the child to see the light of day”.
The god of war Mars was conceived in Juno’s womb by touching the magical herb specially bred for this purpose by the goddess of spring and flowers, Flora. The martial aspect of the goddess is also visible in her clothes. She was often shown with a weapon, in a goatskin coat, which was the garment preferred by Roman soldiers during military campaigns.
In Rome, she was worshipped at the Capitol with Jupiter and Minerva. She belonged to the Capitoline Trinity. Juno was dedicated to the holiday Matronalia on March 1.
The term iuno was also used to describe a semi-divine, mortal being who looked after and accompanied a woman from birth to death. It was believed that each woman had her own individual iuno. So it was something like a guardian angel.
