The symbol for iron is the same as the planetary symbol for Mars, which incidentally, gets its color from a high iron content in its soil. Mars is commonly used to symbolize war and men, like Venus (whose planetary symbol is the oft-use 'female' symbol), is used to symbolize beauty and women. Oddly enough, of the two, Venus is the more badass planet by far, if you take into account their actual true to life attributes.
Wasn't Aphrodite/Venus kind of a kickin-ass warrior herself?
You're probably thinking of Athena. Godess of wisdom and strategy.
Aphrodite dealt in love, not warfare.
No, I'm thinking of Aphrodite. She was the goddess of love, yes, but she was also a pretty feral warrior in her own right. Athena was the "virgin goddess" of the lot and hated sex.
Of course, bearing in mind that different city-states had different roles for their gods and goddesses.
Aphrodite wasn't necessarily a goddess of war, but that doesn't preclude her from being a warrior nonetheless.
Then again she dated Ares so...
