In Greek mythology, Hephaestus is usually credited with shaping Pandora from clay or earth.
Hephaestus is the divine smith and craftsman of Olympus. In accounts of Pandora’s creation, Zeus commands him to form the woman, giving the episode a crafted, artificial origin rather than presenting Pandora as born through ordinary human parentage. Other gods then contribute attributes, clothing, ornaments, or abilities.
The exact details vary among ancient sources and later retellings. Hesiod’s Works and Days emphasizes the gods’ contributions and presents Pandora as a divinely made woman, while later summaries often make Hephaestus’s sculpting role especially vivid. This is why paintings and sculptures frequently portray Pandora emerging from a workshop or being shaped by a craftsman god.
Hephaestus should not be confused with Prometheus, who is linked to giving fire to humans. Prometheus helps humanity through forbidden knowledge, whereas Hephaestus is the artisan associated with constructing the divine woman sent by Zeus.