Every Olympic coin since 1928 has had an obverse with Nike - a palm frond in her right hand and a wreath of laurel in her left. The Goddess Cybele in Mythology | Who Was Cybele? At Rome, where Nike was called Victoria, she was worshipped from the earliest times. Nike was the ancient Greek goddess of victory--victory both in war and in peaceful competition. Omissions? Who is goddess of victory in Hinduism? The Goddess of Victory and Zeus. In Greek mythology, Nike was the Greek personification of "victory". Since 1945, the goddess has also been used by the U.S. Anti Aircraft Missle System. In 'Nike and Ethics' we delve in to the lives of Aristotle and his prodigious. Her three sibling deities represented the corresponding concepts of strength, force, and zeal. Nike's resilience and determination made her recognizable throughout her time, eventually naming her a Goddess. That may well be, but shortly after the temple was completed, a parapet wall with a frieze of several winged Nikes was added. In 'Nike and War' we understand the myth of Ares, God of War, and how he relates to Nike, Goddess of Victory. Known as Winged Victory, or the Winged Victory of Samothrace, it presents the goddess standing on the prow of a boat. Answer (1 of 9): The name originated with Nike's employee #1, Jeff Johnson. The branch of palm in her hand stands as another peace symbol. The primordial gods were the first to emerge from ChaosGaia, the Earth Mother; Kronos, the spirit of Time; Uranus, the sky and Thalassa, the spirit of the sea, among them. Her image has been on the medals since 1928. Answer (1 of 3): Is Nike related to Athena? Nike was depicted as a winged goddess sometimes holding a . She served Zeus in the war against the Titans and afterward gave the victors of battles wreaths of laurel. [50], The cult of Athena Nike was functioning as early as the beginning of the sixth century. In some Indo-European languages, the name came from Neik which means to attack or to start something strongly. Nike was mentioned here and there as rewarding a hero with a wreath of laurel leaves or a reference was made to an Olympian having 'Nike's gift' or 'Nike's prize.' Horus, Egyptian Sky God Story, Facts & Mythology | What is Horus the God of? In Greek Mythology the goddess Nike held a very important place in the society. As a result of this, her body also leans slightly downwards. her most well known powers are: the ability to fly . According to Pausanias, this Nike statue was roughly four cubits tall (about seventy-two inches). In terms of temples, Nike did not have many of them dedicated solely to her. I saw her - with Erichthonius, though I shouldn't know about him. Famous and global brands such as Rolls-Royce, Honda Motorcycles, U.S. The distinct Nike personality continued to coexist alongside the Athena Nike personality and became a servant to Athena, or a "Lady of Victory" according to Sikes. Nike is most commonly symbolized by the laurel wreath. She has three siblings: The relationship between Nike's family and Zeus began at the beginning of the Titan War. He also runs a blog This City Knows. One more beautiful depiction of Nike lurks in the ancient city of Ephesus, in Turkey, where the athletic apparel logo can easily be noticed on Nikes stone carving as well. Most importantly, Nike is associated with the laurel wreath. One of the most prominent sculptures depicting this deity is Nike of Samothrace, dated to the period between 424 and 203 BC. The most celebrated depiction of Nike is not in Greece at all but dominates a gallery of the Louvre in Paris. She assumes the role of the divine charioteer, a role in which she is often portrayed in Classical Greek art. But unlike Nike, Romans regarded Victoria as one of the supreme gods. She was closely connected to Zeus and Athena, but wasn't a very common goddess in the Greek myths. MuseumShopPompeii. Just 5 hours before the shipment was due to go out Johnson awoke with the name Nike. Get unlimited access to over 84,000 lessons. The logo is derived . She had no love affairs and symbolized the eternal virginity. She could have been less angry, less reclusive. The staff also granted its holder the ability to move seamlessly to and fro the living world and the underworld. The multinational company Nike Inc., known for its athletic clothing and sports equipment, was named after the goddess Nike in 1971. The Greek God Hermes | What is Hermes the God of? God of health and medicine. Nike and her three sisters, Zelus (Zeal/power), Bia(Force) and Kralas (Strength) were brought by Styx to Zeus to assist him in the great Titan battle whose ultimate goal was to gain control of Mount Olympus. In her speech she mentions all the gods that have given up and fled the battle including Ares, Hermes, Apollo, Aphrodite, and Hephaistos. She was the daughter of the Titan Pallas and the goddess Styx, and had three other siblings . Since Athena held greater power in Athens, she acquired some of the functions traditionally only Nike possessed as well as her title of Victory. Alongside her mother and siblings, Nike joined Zeus in his war against the Titans. One of them, Nike adjusting her sandal, known as "The Sandal Binder" depicts the goddess draped in figure-revealing wet fabric. This statue of Nike was made of Parian marble and was dedicated to Zeus by the Messenians and Naupaktians around 420 BCE during the Classical period. the goddess of victory. If you use any of the content on this page in your own work, please use the code below to cite this page as the source of the content. She was also often seen with a cup or pitcher and a bowl from which a victory toast was consumed. Regula, deTraci. When the 1928 Olympic design was made, it featured Nike. Take the Goddess Quiz personality test to explore which goddess archetype you are and what that means for you. Other portrayals also show Nike playing an instrument such as a lyre, as well as kithara, in a symbol of celebrating victory but peacefully, over music and singing. However, he holds that the Athena Nike personality continued to exist alongside the distinct Nike personality. Greek Siren Names & Goddesses | Overview, Mystery & Legends, Eros the Greek God of Love Facts: Lesson for Kids. Nike is seen with wings in most statues and paintings, with one of the most famous . She and her siblings were close companions ofZeus. According to this theory, Nike eventually broke off from Athena to form her own distinct personality. https://www.thoughtco.com/greek-mythology-nike-1525981 (accessed January 18, 2023). Styx was one of the rivers that separated the realm of the dead, and Pallas was the Titan who personified the sun. The goddess Nike is the daughter of Pallas and Oiles, she was born regularly from her mother. Her siblings are Zelos (Zeal), Kratos (Strength), Bia (Victory), and her half sister Athena (wisdom). This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Nike-Greek-goddess, Ancient Origins - Nike, Greek Goddess of Victory and Zeuss Charioteer of Glory, Nike - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up), From Athena to Zeus: Basics of Greek Mythology. Nike allied herself with the Chief Greek God Zeus during the great Titanomachy conflict. [7] Thus, the two goddesses merged into one to form the Athena Nike personality. When Nike is portrayed alone, it is an unwritten rule that she has wings as well as a palm branch, usually held in the right hand. A Nike apparel store is not the only place where the deity is represented in modern days. Nike has become a common symbol in the modern sports world. Which is why in numerous representations, either in sculpture or painting, Nike can be noticed next to Zeus. By now you are probably wondering what all this has to do with Nike. It was also not uncommon for both ancient Greeks and Romans to pray to Nike to spare them from a bad situation or death. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Fragments of Nike's face, forearms, and wings are missing, however, pieces of her wings can still be seen attached to her shoulders. She helped the Olympians beat the Titans in the Titan War and attended all battles and competitions afterward to celebrate victories. Their children, the Titans (Prometheus who gave fire to man is probably . Regula, deTraci. Goddess who relieved people from pain and sorrow. Nike is mainly known for her association with victory in battles and for her close relationship with Zeus and Athena. The logo is derived from goddess' wing,'swoosh', which symbolises the sound of speed, movement, power and motivation. I feel like its a lifeline. Nikes reward for doing this was that Zeus promised to keep her near him and to protect her forever. Goddess. The name Nike was chosen by company founders because of her attributes of speed and victory. Quite commonly, Nike is shown holding a palm branch, which was often used to symbolize the period of peace following a victory. Her Roman equivalent was Victoria. Who thought of the name Nike? As early as 1928, the Olympic Medal has featured Nike on its front side, and her representation would encircle names of Olympic medalists. [9] Her Roman equivalent was Victoria. Athena Nike was always wingless. Goddess Nike - Goddess of Victory. According to Laughy, ancestral practice played a key role in how Athenian cultic rituals and sacrifices were performed. Nike, described as Victory, led Zeus into battle as Eris, Strife, led Typhon. Nike alone was winged. By the classical period, many of these early gods and goddesses had been reduced to the role of attributes or aspects of the leading gods, much as the pantheon of Hindu gods are symbolic aspects of the main gods. Nike, in ancient Greek religion, the goddess of victory, daughter of the giant Pallas and of the infernal River Styx. [32] The marble statue of Nike, possibly designed by Arkhermos of Chios and found at Delos, dates to around 550 BCE and exemplifies this style of pose. In turn, the Olympians Zeus, Hera, Athena, Apollo, and Aphroditedefeated them and became the leading gods. Thus, a break in custom to transfer religious authority from the genos to the state was exceptional for Athens during that time as it transformed the cult of Athena Nike into a polis-cult, a cult funded and overseen by the Athenian city-state. More confident in herself. Nike's Origin. bn. Learn more about the goddess, her story, and the mythology surrounding her before you visit the Acropolis of Athens, where she takes her place beside Athena. In the case of the city of Athens, however, she is shown with no wings as the people of Athens worshiped her so much, and they never wanted Nike to abandon their city. This makes a whole lot of sense, considering the fact that Nike was the bringer of victory, i.e. [32] This slight forward and downward motion is illustrated in the Capitoline Nike (460 BCE) from Magna Grecia. In the Theogony, she is the daughter of a Titan and an Oceanid. 444 lessons. She had a son, Strife, whom she brought along with her when she rode her chariot to war alongside Ares.
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