Ancient Greek Mythology Inspired Rings
Inspired by the gods, goddesses, and mythical stories of Ancient Greece, Lily created a collection of rings that turns mythology into wearable art. Each ring captures the character, symbols, and stories of its inspiration through gemstones, precious metals, and intricate details, and we are here for it every step of the way. Let’s dive in starting with Poseidon’s ring!
God of the sea, horses, earthquakes, and storms, Poseidon was the brother of Zeus and Hades. Lily captured his connection to the ocean through layers of blue gemstones, including sapphire, aquamarine, and topaz. White gold represents sea foam, while the organic shape of the ring curls like a wave.
Apollo was the god of the sun, music, poetry, medicine, prophecy, and archery. Son of Zeus, he was often portrayed as youthful and handsome and was closely associated with the laurel wreath. Lily chose rich 18k gold to represent the warmth of the sun. The central image is a sun, with diamonds cascading down the sides like rays of light while also representing the many domains over which Apollo presided. On one side is a musical note, representing his connection to music and poetry. On the other is a hyacinth, referencing the tragic story of Apollo and Hyacinthus. After Hyacinthus was accidentally killed by a discus thrown by Apollo, Apollo transformed his blood into the flower to honor his memory.
Goddess of wisdom, war, and crafts, Athena was famously born from Zeus’ head and became the patron goddess of Athens. She is also closely associated with the owl. Lily created a frieze around the ring depicting Athena’s birth from Zeus’ head, along with an owl. The center stone is lapis lazuli, Athena’s sacred stone, surrounded by baguette diamonds arranged like the pages of an open book — a symbol of wisdom and knowledge.
God of trade, commerce, travel, and messenger of the gods, Hermes is famously depicted wearing winged sandals. Lily translated that imagery into a signet-style ring, with wings appearing along the sides and in the profile. Pear-shaped stones on the profile symbolize both wings and the idea of travel. A winged sandal symbol appears on one side of the ring, mirrored by a palm tree on the other — one of Hermes’ sacred symbols. At the center is the wing symbol created specifically for Hermes.
Goddess of the hunt, wilderness, the moon, and childbearing, Artemis was the daughter of Zeus and twin sister of Apollo. Known for her independence, she is often depicted as a huntress with a bow and arrow. Lily incorporated an arrow directly through the cage-style design of the ring. The cage is formed from antler-inspired details, referencing the deer that often accompanied Artemis. At the center is an amethyst, her sacred stone.
King of the gods and ruler of Mount Olympus, Zeus was the god of the sky, lightning, and thunder. Known for wielding his powerful thunderbolt, he was also associated with justice, law, and order. Naturally, Lily gave Zeus a massive center stone — nothing less would suit the king of the gods. Lightning bolts hold the stone in place, while Mount Olympus appears in the gallery. And because Zeus certainly had no shortage of confidence, Lily placed a depiction of Zeus himself on both sides of the ring. After all, if Zeus were designing his own ring, he would probably want to see himself on it.
Goddess of marriage, women, childbirth, and family, Hera was both the wife and sister of Zeus and the queen of the gods. Though associated with marriage and family, mythology also portrays her as fiercely jealous and vengeful toward Zeus’ lovers and their children. For her ring, Lily drew inspiration from a myth in which Hera transformed a hundred-eyed monster into a peacock. The design surrounding the center stone fans outward like a peacock’s tail, framing a pear-shaped stone. Lily also designed the ring to resemble a tiara, fitting for the queen of Olympus. Yellow gold ties her design to Zeus’ ring and their relationship as the ruling pair of Olympus.
Goddess of agriculture, fertility, and the harvest, Demeter was Zeus’ sister and a central figure in the agricultural traditions and celebrations of Ancient Greece. Lily chose yellow gold to evoke golden fields of wheat. A snake — one of Demeter’s symbols — weaves down both sides of the ring through the wheat-inspired design. A surprise garnet is tucked into the gallery, representing the pomegranate, a fruit closely associated with Demeter.
Goddess of love, beauty, and desire, Aphrodite was said to have been born from seafoam and emerged near the island of Cyprus. Lily focused on her romantic nature, creating a wedding set in rose gold with pink gemstones to symbolize love and her marriage to Hephaestus. A pearl serves as the center stone, reflecting Aphrodite’s connection to the sea, while rose quartz side stones are associated with the goddess of love. In the gallery, a dove and rose add two more symbols traditionally connected to Aphrodite.
One of Lily’s favorite designs, the Dionysus ring is inspired by the god of wine, fertility, and theatre. She designed the entire ring to resemble a stage, giving it a distinctive square shape. A cascading bunch of grapes sits at the top, symbolizing Dionysus’ connection to wine cultivation. Beside them is a tiger, Dionysus’ sacred animal, while the opposite side features a depiction of Dionysus himself. Beneath the grapes is a tiny frog—a reference to one of Lily’s favorite stories, The Frogs by Aristophanes. In the play, Dionysus travels to the Underworld to bring back the playwright Euripides and encounters the famous chorus of frogs. Green stones along the side of the ring represent that chorus as well.
Hestia, goddess of the hearth, home, and domestic life, was the eldest daughter of the Titans and sister of Zeus. Known for her modesty and gentleness, she held a unique role in Greek mythology through her dedication to maintaining the sacred fire of the hearth. Lily brought that devotion to life by designing the ring to resemble a fireplace. She chose 22k gold for its especially warm, yellow color, complemented by gemstones in various golden hues. The gallery features a brick fireplace and a glowing flame. Look closely, and you’ll find bread and a turkey roasting in the hearth — a nod to Hestia’s dedication to caring for and feeding her family.
This ring actually tells the story of Hades and Persephone through two contrasting sides. The two black center stones of the toi et moi design represent the great black gates of the Underworld, while each side of the ring represents one of the pair. Persephone’s side is filled with flowers and wheat, representing the flourishing earth during spring and summer. Four stones represent the four months she spends in the Underworld, bringing winter to the earth. Hades’ side features symbols of the Underworld, including a three-headed dog, owls, and a key representing the doors of the Underworld. Twelve stones represent the twelve months of the year in which he is in the Underworld, to mirror Persephone’s side. In the gallery, blue stones evoke the River Styx, which famously flows through the Underworld.
Lily had so much fun finding ways to turn these larger-than-life stories into tiny details you can actually wear. The result is a collection that gives you something new to notice in every ring—and a story to tell whenever someone asks about it. Come in to FORGE to make any of these rings a reality for you, or customize them to your perfect mythological ring!