She sometimes appears carrying a palm branch, wreath, or Hermes staff as the messenger of victory. Regarding death, it is believed that when Nike possessed the Staff of Hermes, she had the ability to resurrect dead people. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. In her speech she mentions all the gods that have given up and fled the battle including Ares, Hermes, Apollo, Aphrodite, and Hephaistos. According to legend, Nike is the daughter of Pallas, the Titan, and Styx, the ocean goddess (not Styx of the underworld). She appears with Zeus on statues in places such as the Temple of Zeus in Attica and on the west portico of the Temple of Athena in Athens. [7] Her origin story in Greek mythology is also slightly ambiguous, with the Theogony claiming Nike to be the daughter of Styx and Pallas[8] while the Homeric Hymns describe Ares as being Nike's father. The most celebrated depiction of Nike is not in Greece at all but dominates a gallery of the Louvre in Paris. In some Indo-European languages, the name came from Neik which means to attack or to start something strongly. She is frequently depicted in Greek art as Winged Victory in flight, although she can also be depicted without wings as "Wingless Victory" when she is being portrayed as an attribute of another deity, such as Athena. [52], While the decree does not state the identity of the new priestess, a verse epitaph on a marble stele funerary monument reveals that the first priestess of Athena Nike to be selected democratically by lot was Myrrhine, daughter of Kallimachos. As a result of this, her body also leans slightly downwards. At Rome, where Nike was called Victoria, she was worshipped from the earliest times. How does Nike relate to Greek mythology? Created about 200 B.C., it is one of the most famous sculptures in the world. Anti-Aircraft Missile System, and the sports equipment maker, Nike, have one way or the other used the name or the symbols of the goddess Nike. Astronomers named the moon after Nikes mother, Styx. Not only is she the goddess of accomplishment she is also the goddess of triumphs, speed, strength, and military. But, by far, her large wings are her greatest attribute. [43] Pausanias in his Description of Greece provides a different interpretation for why Athena Nike is depicted as "Wingless Victory." He is represented as a small figure in the hand of gods like Zeus and Athena, his ally. Nike has been the symbol used since 1945 by Americas Anti Aircraft Missile System. As Eudaimon, I guide the human world with my philosophy, which is summed up by the phrase: May victory nurture you & may defeat nourish you. This small sculpture of the goddess Nike was carved more than 2,500 years ago. [39] Her head is bent downwards slightly so that her gaze rests on the ground rather than the viewer. She is often depicted with wings, as she is the patron goddess of athletes. Beekes has suggested a Pre-Greek origin. Nike alone is often depicted in Greek art winged and carrying a symbol of victory, such as a wreath or palm frond. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); World History Edu 2022. Daughter of the titan Pallas and the river Styx, Nike sat at the side of the omnipotent Zeus for the duration of his plight with the titans. What was the goddess Nike known for? Both Nike statues in Zeus's and Athena's hands were winged. https://www.thoughtco.com/greek-mythology-nike-1525981 (accessed December 11, 2022). Indeed, Nike gradually came to be recognized as a sort of mediator of success between gods and men. ", Olga, Palagia. In Greek Mythology, Nike was the Goddess of speed, strength and victory. Your email address will not be published. Nike's right arm is outstretched at an angle while her left arm is bent so that her hand rests upon her upper thigh. All Rights Reserved. "[16] Nike and her siblings achieved these honorable positions by Zeus's side during the Titanomachy. In classical iconography, Nikeis depicted as a fit, young, winged women with a palm frond or blade. The legend and myth about Nike has been passed down through the ages and plays an important role in the history of the Ancient World and the study of the Greek classics. This statue was made of Thasian marble and showed the goddess standing almost completely straight with a slight lean forwards to indicate Nike's downward and slight forward alighting motion. One is estimated to be 29 feet tall. While Nike's forearms and wings are missing the sockets for attaching her wings can be seen on her back. This is because a victory parade or ceremony can never be complete without some form of singing or dancing. When Zeus was gathering allies at the start of the Titan War, Styx brought her four children Nike (Victory), Zelos (Rivalry), Kratos (Cratus Strength) and Bia (Force) into the god's service. The Story of Nike, the Greek Goddess of Victory. The Greek traveler and geographer Pausanias, writing about 600 years later, called the goddess depicted here Athena Aptera, or wingless. 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. In keeping with Zeuss promise to make Nike to live forever as the Goddess of speed, strength and victory, people of all ages have the opportunity to wear Nike shoes. Nike is also portrayed erecting a trophy or, frequently, hovering with outspread wings over the victor in a competition, for her functions referred to success not only in war but in all undertakings. [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. "The Priestess of Athena Nike. Nike, goddess of accomplishments and the child of Pallas, the Titan, is known for accomplishing victories and her being involved in the Titan War. Regula, deTraci. In Greek mythology, Nike (/naki/ (listen); Ancient Greek: , lit. [32] The statue of Nike from the Temple of Neptune at Corfu also implies a gently appearance out of nothing rather than a hurtling from somewhere. Nike was an important deity in ancient Greece, and her worship was widespread. When she is pictured with the Staff of Hermes, this means that one of Nikes roles was to serve as a messenger from the gods. ! [10], Nike and Athena are both associated with victory, which has resulted in contestation over the origins of Nike. Besides her wings, her strengths are her fast running ability and her skill as the divine charioteer. She and her siblings were close companions ofZeus. So Pallas Athena is the representation of the goddess as a warrior and Athena Nike is the goddess victorious. ", Parkin, Andrew. She was the child of Pallas (Titan) and Styx In most beliefs, Styx is the name of the river that separates Planet Earth from the Gates of Hell (Hades). 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. Nike is believed to have a shield that she carries while hovering about in battles. According to myth, Nike's mother Styx brought her children to Zeus when the god was assembling allies for the battle against the Titans. She had three powerful siblings called Zelous (rivalry), Kratus (strength) and Bia (Force). [32] An example of a transitional phase in movement from the "kneeling run" to the alighting and striding pose is Paionios's statue of Nike discovered in the Temple of Zeus at Olympia. Nike, in ancient Greek religion, the goddess of victory, daughter of the giant Pallas and of the infernal River Styx. Her wings are attached to her upper back and her body runs to the side while her head is turned to observe the viewer instead of the place she is running to. When Nike appeared alone, she always had wings and sported a palm branch in her right hand. The goddess Nike came to be an everlasting symbol . The swoosh logo reflects the swoop, but the "swoosh" was not an ancient symbol of Nike. [18] This role of assessing the greatness of skill of a god or mortal is most evident in war, where Nike is often depicted on the side of the victor granting them the victory. Although her wings are lost, the roots of them can still be seen behind her shoulders. 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. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Known as Winged Victory, or the Winged Victory of Samothrace, it presents the goddess standing on the prow of a boat. In Roman Mythology, Nike was known as Victoria, after Greece fell to the Roman Empire. The company Nike, Inc. was named after the goddess. A sculpture dating back to 424 to 203 BC known as Nike of Samothrace that was unearthed in 1863 may be seen at the Louvre Museum in Paris. [12], In Greek mythology Nike, the personification of victory, has two possible origin stories. Instead of flying sideways, Paionios's Nike advances forward with feet just alighting upon the ground. [36] Additionally, Paionios's Nike has adopted a striding stance as opposed to a pinwheel-type running stance. The largest known dwarf planet in Kuiper Belt, Pluto, has a moon called Styx. Nike has differing origin stories in two ancient texts. She was the daughter of the Titan Pallas and the goddess Styx, sister of Kratos (power), Bia (Force) and Zelus (zeal). "The Story of Nike, the Greek Goddess of Victory." That may well be, but shortly after the temple was completed, a parapet wall with a frieze of several winged Nikes was added. This statue is speculated to be from the Hellenistic period according to Andrew Parkin. Queen Victorias Father, the Duke of Kent, The Boston Massacre: The American Revolution, Staff of Hermes and the golden winged sandals, Pegasus Birth Story, Family, Meaning, Symbols & Powers, 24 Bright Facts about Apollo the Greek Sun God, The Myth of Phaethon and the Sun Gods Chariot. What is Nike passionate about Greek mythology? (1895). Last modified March 16, 2022, Your email address will not be published. During the war with the Titans Zeus called all the gods to Olympus to determine their allegiance. Corrections? The Nike. According to this theory, Nike eventually broke off from Athena to form her own distinct personality. The fusion of the two goddesses at Athens has contributed to the ambiguity surrounding Nike's origins. The River Styx was named for Nikes grandfather Tethys. The reason why astronomers named it after Styx was because the nymph is typically associated to the River Styx the river that divides the living world from the underworld. [55] According to decree IG i^3 36, she would have received a portion of the sacrifice and a stipend of fifty drachmas[56] paid for by the kolakretai. According to a paper by Harrison (as cited in Sikes, 1895) Nike was once a facet of the Greek goddess Athena, who was composed of Boulaia (good council), Ergane (skilled handcraft), and Nike (victory). As an attribute of both Athena, the goddess of wisdom, and the chief god, Zeus, Nike was represented in art as a small figure carried [] This makes a whole lot of sense, considering the fact that Nike was the bringer of victory, i.e. The Athena Nike statue within the Temple of Athena Nike on the Athenian Acropolis depicts the Greek goddess wingless[4] and seated with a pomegranate in her right hand and her helmet in her left hand. This symbolizes her readiness to toast to the victor of the battle. While the Greek word (nik) is of uncertain etymology, R.S.P. And, through her Roman incarnation, she has entered our language as more than the name of a competitive running shoe and an anti-aircraft missile. [51] The earliest substantial evidence for a priestess of Athena Nike is provided in a decree named IG i^3 35 passed in the early fifth century by the Athenian Demos. Headquartered in Oregon, Nike has been the leader in the world of sports equipment and apparel since 1978 and is estimated to employ 44,000 workers around the globe. Nike's resilience and determination made her recognizable throughout her time, eventually naming her a Goddess. [42] According to Suidas, Athena Nike without wings represents calm civility while the pomegranate represents prosperity and the doffed helmet represents peace. Since Athena held greater power in Athens, she acquired some of the functions traditionally only Nike possessed as well as her title of Victory. In fact, in contrast with depictions of earlier winged gods, who could take the form of birds in stories, by the classical period, Nike is unique in having kept hers. The Nike sports brand logo has an indirect connection with the goddess Nike. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. She sometimes appears carrying a palm branch, wreath, or Hermes ' staff as the messenger of victory. Nike, in ancient Greek religion, the goddess of victory, daughter of the giant Pallas and of the infernal River Styx. Eudaimon Eudaimon is the Greek expression for 'Good Spirit'. The purpose of the lyre was to celebrate victory while the wreath was for crowning the victor. 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 an alternative story, recorded by Homer, she is the daughter of Ares, Zeus's son and the Olympian god of war - but the tales of Nike probably predates stories of Ares by millennia. [24] In the Theogony, this battle is described in a different manner. Also known as Winged Goddess, Nike is most often pictured as having wings. Worldhistoryedu is not responsible for the content of external sites. According to Hesiod's Theogony, "Styx, daughter of Oceanus, in union with Pallas, bore trim-ankled Victory [Nike]" as well as her siblings Zelus (Zeal or Aspiration), Kratos (Strength), and Bia (Power). During this event, she functioned as his chief charioteer. For the swoosh symbol that appears on the side of each Nike shoe, Nike employee Carolyn Davis was paid $35 for the design. Nike was one of four children of the Titan god of war Pallas, and the Naiad Styx (not to be confused with the river Styx of Hades Underworld ). "A Statuette of Nike From the Collection of John Ruskin. Her responsibilities are described in the Myrrhine epigram (IG i^3 1330) and include maintaining the sanctuary and its statues. He presided over athletic competitions and military disputes, symbolizing his victories. "Nike and Athena Nike. "[14], Nike is often portrayed in literature in close association with Zeus or Athena. Nike (mythology) Nike Goddess of victory Stone carving of the goddess Nike at the ruins of the ancient [] [53] This decree was also significant, according to Josine Blok, because it gave all Athenian women access to influential and prominent cultic roles in the Athenian city-state during a time when Athenian women's freedoms were fairly limited. Nike alone was winged. Link will appear as Nike: https://greekgodsandgoddesses.net - Greek Gods & Goddesses, February 9, 2017, Greek Gods and Goddesses 2010 - 2022 | About | Contact | Sitemap | Privacy. The name Nike is believed to have originated from the Greek word Neikos. Who were the parents of Nike? In turn, the Olympians Zeus, Hera, Athena, Apollo, and Aphroditedefeated them and became the leading gods. She was also often seen with a cup or pitcher and a bowl from which a victory toast was consumed. "[26] However, Nike's role of judging excellence is not limited to strictly military prowess. Nike is also depicted in literature as a goddess who judges the excellence of gods and mortals in competition. Several panels of this frieze can be seen in the Acropolis Museum, below the Acropolis. She is often associated with Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war, and Zeus, the king of the Gods. According to Michael Laughy, the priesthood was traditionally controlled by a genos or family clan who selected the next priestess from one of their heirs. According to Pausanias, this Nike statue was roughly four cubits tall (about seventy-two inches). Pluto in ancient Roman mythology is the equivalent of Hades, the god of the underworld, i.e. She did have three brothers - Zelos (rivalry),Kratos(strength) and Bia (force). Their children, the Titans (Prometheus who gave fire to man is probably the most famous) replaced them. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Nike Q&A Who was Nike? [8] This lineage is also supported by the Bibliotheca where "Nice, Cratos, Zelos, and Bia" are described as the children of the Titans Pallas and Styx. She was often depicted as a beautiful young woman with wings, holding a lyre, wreath and a bowl and cup. The statue of Athena that once stood inside it was not winged. [36] In this statue of Nike from the fifth century the goddess's alighting motion is towards the viewer as opposed to the sideways running motion of earlier statues. He was the son of Titans Crius and Eurybia; and during the Titanomachy, Pallas fought against the Olympians - a new and powerful generation of gods who were led by Zeus . [7] Thus, the two goddesses merged into one to form the Athena Nike personality. Although Pluto is no longer considered a planet by some planetary experts, in 2013 Styx was recognized as a moon of Pluto. [42] However, there remains significant debate over whether the cult of Athena Nike in its earlier years had its own priestess, no priestess, or if it shared a priestess with a nearby cult. Nike As an attribute of both Athena, the goddess of wisdom, and the chief god, Zeus, Nike was represented in art as a small figure carried in the hand by those divinities. Pausanias noted that there was an altar solely to Nike in Olympia next to the altar of Zeus Purifier. According to Sikes, Nike was worshipped as a facet of Athena because Athena was Athens's patron goddess and thus held greater power in her own city and acropolis. Instagram: @GoddessNike23. Also known as Winged Goddess, Nike is most often pictured as having wings. [32], By the mid Classical period and the start of the Hellenistic period, statues of Nike begin to portray her with legs almost completely straight in an alighting pose meant to evoke an appearance out of nothing rather than a hurtling into view. Since 1928, the Olympics Medal has sported Nike on the obverse side bearing her wreath of victory and the shield upon which the victors name is inscribed. [27] In Bacchylides Ode 12 Nike encourages Teisias of Aegina to compete in the wrestling matches at Nemea. If this is true it would make the word cognate with Ancient Greek (nekos, "strife") and Lithuanian ap-nikti ("to attack"). Additionally, both of her feet are placed side by side in a standing pose rather than a striding pose. [12] According to Sikes, Nike existed as an independent deity from Athena since Nike represented victory in musical, athletic, and military competitions and Athena's authority was limited to strictly military victories. She always carried a palm branch in her right hand as a symbol of peace. The oldest Nike sculpture known to exist believed to date back to 550 BCE and is located on the Greek island of Delos. According to Laughy, ancestral practice played a key role in how Athenian cultic rituals and sacrifices were performed. Nike probably did not originally have a separate cult at Athens. Another very important fact about the goddess Nike is that: She was often painted or sculpted with a cup or a pitcher in her hands. Also, Nike has sometimes been linked to the musical instruments Lyre (or Kithara). The small, perfectly formed Temple of Athena Nike, to the right of the Propylaeathe entrance to the Acropolis of Athensis the earliest, Ionic temple on the Acropolis. Nike (Greek mythology) is the Greek goddess of victory, both in battle and in sport. The bowl and the cup were meant for libations to honor . She probably needed them because she is often portrayed flying around battlefields, rewarding victory, glory, and fame by handing out laurel wreaths. We've worked with the likes of Ancestry.com, Kingspan and DAA in helping them tell their story. [57] While neither decrees specified the tenure of her office, Blok proposes that Myrrhine would have likely served for life since that was the tradition for Athenian women serving in cultic offices. What is Nike the goddess symbol? Required fields are marked *. [58], Stone carving of the goddess Nike at the ruins of the ancient city of, Sikes, E.E. Alternatively, you can get in touch here. Nike, described as Victory, led Zeus into battle as Eris, Strife, led Typhon. 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. [9] Her Roman equivalent was Victoria. Check out our the goddess nike selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. [12] In contrast to Harrison and Baudrillart's views, E.E. Nike is also associated with speed and agility which perhaps also explains why this Goddess of victory is used as a tradename for a famous brand of sportswear. Thus, the process of selecting a priestess in Athens was not traditionally a democratic process. Nikes typical attire in paintings, sculptures and other art media was a flowing gown of gold and wings symbolizing her right to grant victory or to remove it later should the victor not remain worthy. The latest Tweets from Goddess Nike (@GoddessNike23). She came to be regarded as the protecting goddess of the Senate, and her statue in the Curia Julia (originally set up by Augustus in memory of the Battle of Actium) was the cause of the final combat between Christianity and paganism toward the end of the 4th century. A portion of the hood ornament on all Rolls-Royce vehicles includes a depiction of Nike. [36] At her feet an eagle is shown to fly to the viewer's left as Nike moves forward with left leg stepping down to touch the earth. It's considered one of the most erotic carvings on the Acropolis. The statue itself was roughly two meters high and was orientated to face the east. Nike (or Nic) was a Greek goddess who embodied victory in any discipline, including art, music, warfare, and sports. When Zeus was gathering allies at the start of the Titan War, Styx brought her four children Nike (Victory), Zelos (Rivalry), Kratos (Cratus Strength) and Bia (Force) into the god's service. In the modern Olympics, the Olympic medals given to winners have the image of the goddess Nike. deity god or goddess. According to one story, she is the daughter of Pallas, the Titan god of warcraft who fought on the side of the Olympians, and Styx, a nymph, a daughter of Titans and presiding spirit of the major river of the Underworld. Nike had three siblings: Zelos (Zeal), Bia (force), and Cratus . Statues of her attempt to evoke a sense of flight. For example, Michael Jordan is said to have made more money from his Nike endorsements than all of its manufacturing labor force. [32] In the Archaic period of ancient Greek sculpture Nike often appears in a "kneeling run" pose or "knielaufen" pose with her head turned to the side to look at the viewer as her body swiftly rushes forward. [54] The final unusual aspect of the decree was that it broke with Athenian tradition by handing over responsibility of the priesthood from the genos to the state. Nike probably did not originally have a separate cult at Athens. [32], As time goes on Nike's legs begin to straighten and her movement becomes a more subtle alighting movement with a slight forward component. Throughout her history, she has been allied with the most powerful gods in the Greek Pantheon. The goddess is standing with both legs straight and together. His explanation was that the Athenians removed the goddess's wings to prevent her from ever leaving Athens. According to Greek mythology, Nike was the daughter of the goddess Styx and the titan Pallas; some stories say that she was the daughter of Mars, the god of war. [44], While Nike was often included in the cults of other gods, particularly Zeus and Athena, very few sanctuaries were dedicated solely to her. [32] The slight overfold of her peplos across the midsection also evokes the sense of a small wind blowing upwards from her soft descent. Regula, deTraci. Statues of her often include a lyre or kithara used to celebrate a victory with song and dance. If she was seen with another god, Nike was always wingless. On that shield of hers, the goddess inscribed the names of the winners in a battle. 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