Here's a quick little guide to who Helios is! First, he is the Titan of the Sun and sight.
His parents are Hyperion, the Titan of light, and Theia, a Titaness potentially of light (she rarely appears in myth & writings). His siblings are Selene, Titaness of the moon, and Eos, Titaness of the dawn!!
His symbols are the aureole (the circle of light/brightness around his head), the black poplar, the heliotrope (a flower), and frankincense. His sacred animals are the rooster and the white horse. He lives in a golden palace on the River Okeanos (not the Titan!) He had a demigod son named Phaethon who attempted to drive the sun-chariot and was struck down by Zeus because he nearly set the entire earth on fire.
He is also the sun god who owns the cattle that Odysseus' men kill and eat.
He is often invoked in oaths because, as the sun, he is all-seeing (as seen in the Homeric Hymn to Demeter where he is the only person who sees Persephone's abduction.)
His chariot is driven by four white horses!
His festival is the Halia which was celebrated in summer, especially on the island of Rhodes where Helios was their patron god, and featured gymnastic (as in physical) and musical competitions as well as a grand procession. The name Halia derives from Halios, which is the Doric spelling of Helios' name!
He is also the father of Circe.
Now I pray to Lord Helios, all-seeing god and keeper of oaths. May your chariot burn bright across the sky and may you protect us from harm. Helios Horotrophus, nurturer of the seasons and hours, may you remind us that the Earth spins under your watchful gaze; may we make and keep our oaths in your name. Khaire Helios.
