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Maia

Mythology
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

One of the Pleiades and mother of Hermes by Zeus, associated with nurturing and the arrival of spring.

Detailed Definition
Maia, the eldest of the Pleiades, gave birth to Hermes in a cave on Mount Cyllene. Known for her modesty and reclusiveness, she raised the clever god in secret. In poetry, she represents hidden potential, quiet nurturing, and the origins of trickster energy and communication.
Example
Example in poetry:
Maia, mother of Hermes by Zeus, is honored in the Homeric Hymn to Hermes; In Ovid’s Fasti, the month of May is named after her; Virgil references Maia as a nurturing Pleiad in Georgics; Hesiod lists Maia among the Pleiades in Astronomia; Renaissance mythography cites Maia as a spring goddess; Modern poetry uses Maia to symbolize growth and new beginnings.
Additional Notes
Maia, eldest Pleiad and mother of Hermes by Zeus, embodies nurturing and stealth (fitting Hermes’ traits); though minor in myth, she’s honored in Roman May festivals—useful in poetry linking spring, messenger figures, or the quiet strength of maternal deities.
Also Known As
Eldest Pleiad Mother of Hermes Majestic Nymph
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