The fusion of the two goddesses at Athens has contributed to the ambiguity surrounding Nike's origins. Created about 200 B.C., it is one of the most famous sculptures in the world. 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When the 1928 Olympic design was made, it featured Nike. Nike (shoe company) has been manufacturing sports equipment since 1978. 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. During this event, she functioned as his chief charioteer. Virginia SOL - World History & Geography to 1500: Test Prep & Practice, GED Social Studies: Civics & Government, US History, Economics, Geography & World, Praxis World & U.S. History - Content Knowledge (5941): Practice & Study Guide, ILTS Social Science - History (246): Test Practice and Study Guide, SAT Subject Test US History: Practice and Study Guide, NY Regents Exam - US History and Government: Test Prep & Practice, NY Regents Exam - Global History and Geography: Test Prep & Practice, AP European History: Homework Help Resource, Create an account to start this course today. pu. Stories about the goddess said that she would "swoop" in suddenly. She was the daughter of Pallas and Styx. Alongside her mother and siblings, Nike joined Zeus in his war against the Titans. The statue of Athena that once stood inside it was not winged. 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. He is so shabby and ordinary that he can't even enter the dormitory and sleeps in the woods. In 'The Swoosh Story' we chart the history of the world's most recognizable brand: Nike Inc. When she did, though, she was always shown as the goddess of victory, strength, and speed. In 'The Swoosh Story' we chart the history of the world's most recognizable brand: Nike Inc. Her Roman name was known as Victoria (Gr: ) (see Roman Mythology for more information), which of course translated to "victory". According to Pausanias's Description of Greece, the statue of Zeus "holds Victory in ivory and gold" in his right hand and a scepter with an eagle perched atop it in his left hand. [21] She also mentions the possible repercussions of allowing Typhon to win, which includes the destruction of Olympus and the rape and enslavement Zeus's daughters Athena and Artemis. [33] Richard Neer proposes that this posture with the running stance, wings, and flowing garments were meant to evoke the swift speed of the goddess. ThoughtCo, Dec. 6, 2021, thoughtco.com/greek-mythology-nike-1525981. Pluto in ancient Roman mythology is the equivalent of Hades, the god of the underworld, i.e. Nike noun origin: Greek , pronounced: (/n. I saw her - with Erichthonius, though I shouldn't know about him. succeed. Ancient Greeks worshiped Nike because they believed she could make them never to die and was able to grant to humans strength and the speed needed to be victorious in any task they undertook. [48] The three votive processions on the parapet of the Temple of Athena Nike display this relationship between Athena and Nike. In Greek Mythology, Nike was the Goddess of speed, strength and victory. In 'Nike and War' we understand the myth of Ares, God of War, and how he relates to Nike, Goddess of Victory. Nike is named after a woman the Greek goddess of victory but for most of its history, the company has been all about men. Nike alone . Athena loved martial arts and she was giving herself constantly to them. In Greek mythology, Nike is the Winged Goddess of Victory. 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). The image of the goddess Nike is found on . She flew over battlefields to reward those that she and her master favored with glory and fame. I know how much she thought he must have hated her as a mother. Due to her close relationship with both, she became their divine charioteer and is often depicted as such. In the 20th century, Nike became the name for one of the world's largest shoe companies. Goddess. The Goddess of Victory and Zeus. No-one was particularly taken with the name, but time was the of the essence. In terms of temples, Nike did not have many of them dedicated solely to her. His explanation was that the Athenians removed the goddess's wings to prevent her from ever leaving Athens. "[17] As a result, Nike is often portrayed in literature in association with Zeus since she holds an honorable position by his side: "Victory in golden Olympus, standing beside Zeus"[18], In Nonnos' Dionysiaca, Nike is described as an emissary of Athena who was sent to aid Zeus in his battle against Typhon. In this essay you have learned that Nike is the goddess of speed, strength and victory. The most prominent dedication to Nike is the Temple of Athena Nike at the Acropolis in Athens. Nike was the goddess of . This decree proposed a plan for a new temple and priestess for Athena Nike. As mentioned previously, she is often winged in order to symbolize her strength and agility. Also, Nike has sometimes been linked to the musical instruments Lyre (or Kithara). Outside of the Propelyea (the gate leading to the buildings on the Acropolis in Athenai) is. There is also a sculpture representation of Athena where she holds a smaller statue of Nike in one of her hands. In the modern Olympics, the Olympic medals given to winners have the image of the goddess Nike. He is a graduate in Literature. On both the north and south sides an array of winged Nikes are shown carrying offerings to Athena who sat seated at the west end of each stream of Nike. She is honored in the Temple of Athena Nikeand is said to have been present in the hand of Zeus in the Temple of Olympian Zeus. As times started to . This led to customers associating their purchases with the prospect of achieving greatness. To fit with her existence as the goddess of victory, the meaning of Nike's name translates to "victory" in Ancient Greek. Last year, revenue from women's products hovered at a paltry $1. She was the patron goddess of Athens, defended many beloved heroes, and even fought alongside the Greeks in the Trojan War. More colors. Because Nike is the Goddess of Victory, she was often portrayed flying around the battlefield and bestowing the laurel wreath to the victors of a battle in Ancient Greek art. It came to him in a dream. She was never an equal, though. Its symbol, the famous swoosh, was inspired by the flying goddess. [10] However, it has also been speculated to have derived from the Proto-Indo-European neik- meaning to attack or "start vehemently." Nike, Inc. is a multinational company that was founded in 1964, though the name of the company was not Nike until 1971. He was notorious for bringing a book to important meetings, pretending like he wa. - Definition & Lesson for Kids, Honor in Ancient Greek Culture & Mythology, The Furies in Greek Mythology | The Furies Names & Symbols. [29] Typically, Nike is the one who bestows the victor with the prize. Her equivalent in Ancient Rome was the goddess Victoria. 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. In Greek mythology, Nike was the winged daughter of Pallas and the river Styx. Nik, Victory goddess Author: frans16611 CC By 2.0. I feel like its a lifeline. Nike, Inc. is named after a Greek goddess, Nike the goddess of victory. [22] During the fighting Nike used her shield to protect Zeus while he fought with his thunderbolts and frigid rain. [13] In another source, Homeric Hymn 8, Ares the God of War is portrayed as the "father of warlike Victory. [45] He also mentioned the Temple of Athena Nike in Athens: "On the right of the gateway [of the Akropolis in Athens] is a temple of Nike Apteron (Wingless Nike). According to Laughy, ancestral practice played a key role in how Athenian cultic rituals and sacrifices were performed. Your email address will not be published. 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. Answer (1 of 3): Is Nike related to Athena? Also, What does Nike stand for? This agricultural-based cult promised its initiates passage to a blessed afterlife. The goddess Nike came to be an everlasting symbol . According to many accounts, Nike is portrayed without wings in Athens so that she could never fly away from their city. Which is why in numerous representations, either in sculpture or painting, Nike can be noticed next to Zeus. [58], Stone carving of the goddess Nike at the ruins of the ancient city of, Sikes, E.E. She had a son, Strife, whom she brought along with her when she rode her chariot to war alongside Ares. 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. [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. In Bacchylides Ode 11 she is introduced with the stock epithet "giver of swift gifts"[18] However, Nike is also represented in some sources as the prize in a contest to symbolize victory: " the blossoms of glory-bringing Victory nurture for men golden, conspicuous fame throughout their lives"[30] In this source Nike is portrayed as a garland of flowers to be bestowed upon the victor during the Panhellenic Games. By now you are probably wondering what all this has to do with Nike. [44], While Nike was often included in the cults of other gods, particularly Zeus and Athena, very few sanctuaries were dedicated solely to her. Goddess. There are many interesting facts and modern-day ties to Nike. 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. victory in all aspects of ones life, not just in war. Queen Victorias Father, the Duke of Kent, The Boston Massacre: The American Revolution, Staff of Hermes and the golden winged sandals, 15 interesting things you need to know about Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine, Poseidon: Myths and Facts about the Greek God of the Sea, Greek God Hermes: Myths, Powers and Early Portrayals. Of these, Nike was the most popular. [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. How did growing nationalism in France help napoleon achieve his goals ? Nike is often depicted with the following symbols, considered sacred to her. Discover the Greek goddess of victory, Nike. Davidson crafted the logo for an unbelievably small amount of money, just $35, and she even proposed Nike as a name to the companys founder, Phile Knight. 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. How did Nike get its symbol? Log in or sign up to add this lesson to a Custom Course. Nike is probably the world's most recognized shoe company. Omissions? She is often seen seated beside Zeus on Mount Olympus. Nike became Zeus's charioteer. I want to tell her. The name Nike was chosen by company founders because of her attributes of speed and victory. More confident in herself. The lines of the sign denote speed and motion, while the word swoosh itself mimics the sound you can hear from your favorite NBA player as he zig-zags around on his way to score the next best three points. Eris was the Greek goddess of chaos, strife and discord.She was the daughter of Zeus and Hera; according to other myths, she was the daughter of Nyx (dark night) alone. All these details suggest Nike is appearing and making a graceful descent to the earth rather than dashing sideways into view. I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. This larger-than-life statue was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Greek Titans in Mythology | Who are the Titans? On the very very rare occasions Nike has to fight, she will use the few . Nike - among the world's most iconic trainers. The oldest Nike sculpture known to exist believed to date back to 550 BCE and is located on the Greek island of Delos. Hyperion in Greek Mythology: God of Light | Who is Hyperion? While the Greek word (nik) is of uncertain etymology, R.S.P. Required fields are marked *. Nike herself is posed atop a globe, which is acting as the base. [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. In Greek mythology, she was always portrayed as a symbol of victory, strength, and speed. Nike is also associated with speed and agility which perhaps also explains why this Goddess of victory is used as a tradename for a . Nike: The ancient Greeks worshiped a pantheon of gods and goddesses. [40] Pheidias's cult statue of Athena from the Parthenon in Athens also held a smaller Nike statuette in one hand and a spear in the other. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/greek-mythology-nike-1525981. However, he holds that the Athena Nike personality continued to exist alongside the distinct Nike personality. If she was seen with another god, Nike was always wingless. Nike probably did not originally have a separate cult at Athens. [11] 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). "The Story of Nike, the Greek Goddess of Victory." 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. Her image has been on the medals since 1928. Nike is often depicted with several symbols and attributes. DeTraci Regula is a freelance writer who has specialized in Greek travel and tours for 18 years. Custom Winged VICTORY of SAMOTHRACE miniature GREEK goddess sculpture replicad. ", Blok, Josine (2014). Regula, deTraci. She is typically described as either an attendant of the Greek Gods Zeus and Athena or as a facet of their personalities. Aphrodite herself has sometimes been associated with some features of . In most sources, Nike is the daughter of Pallas, the god of battle and warcraft, and Styx, the goddess of the underworld and the River Styx, but in the Homeric Hymn to Ares, she is described as the daughter of Ares, the god of war and courage. Palm Branch - this item symbolized peace and has been used since ancient times as such. Nike is mainly known for her association with victory in battles and for her close relationship with Zeus and Athena. Everything you need to know about Hades the Greek God of the Underworld. At Rome, where Nike was called Victoria, she was worshipped from the earliest times. During the Titanomachy conflict, she was the chief charioteer. > Johnson's free-thinking approach chafed against anything that gave off a whiff of buttoned-up corporate air. Durga (Sanskrit: , IAST: Durg) is a major deity in Hinduism. Nike being depicted holding wreath reminds us that as the Goddess of Victory she was always ready to encase a winners neck and shoulders in a garland of victory. The branch of palm in her hand stands as another peace symbol. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. The multinational company Nike Inc., known for its athletic clothing and sports equipment, was named after the goddess Nike in 1971. In the war against the Titans she was a personal Charioteer of the Gods. Nike might not be the most famous of all the Greek deities, but her role is none the less significant compared to other figures as grand as Zeus or Athena. She was also a messenger for the gods. She was typically associated with speed, strength and victory. Famous and global brands such as Rolls-Royce, Honda Motorcycles, U.S. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. Nike is seen with wings in most statues and paintings, with one of the most famous . Is Nike named after the goddess of victory? In some Indo-European languages, the name came from Neik which means to attack or to start something strongly. According to this theory, Nike eventually broke off from Athena to form her own distinct personality. Nike has become a common symbol in the modern sports world. In general, Nemesis is shown as winged goddess, almost similar in stature as another winged deity, the goddess Nike (goddess of victory). One of them, Nike adjusting her sandal, known as "The Sandal Binder" depicts the goddess draped in figure-revealing wet fabric. 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. Nike was the Greek goddess of victory and was very revered and respected in Ancient Greece. When Nike appeared alone, she always had wings and sported a palm branch in her right hand. In turn, the Olympians Zeus, Hera, Athena, Apollo, and Aphroditedefeated them and became the leading gods. [39], During the Classical period, statuettes of Nike were often placed in the hands of larger deities. Nike was a Greek war goddess who personified victory . For the ancient Greeks, speed and strength were the two keys to victory in anything important - combat, wrestling, running, or boxing - so it made sense that she'd be connected to all of them. Angitia. The Greek pantheon of gods and goddesses features three waves of leading deities. This statue is speculated to be from the Hellenistic period according to Andrew Parkin. 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. [39] The Nike of Corfu also has a hollowed out back which has resulted in Parkin, C. Vermeule, and D. Von Bothmer to hypothesize that the statue was originally mounted on another base or the statue was intended to fit into the hand of a larger deity. The Greek goddess Nike was variously described as the daughter of the Titan Pallas and the goddess Styx, and the sister of Kratos (Strength), Bia (Force), and Zelus (Zeal). Did Nike the Goddess of Victory get married? In Greek Mythology the goddess Nike held a very important place in the society. Her role is almost always as a companion and helper of Zeus or Athena. Aesculapius. When dealing with 30,000 students and 70,000 islanders, it is inevitable that I cannot remember people's names and faces. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The staff also granted its holder the ability to move seamlessly to and fro the living world and the underworld. Nike. She assumes the role of the divine charioteer, a role in which she is often portrayed in Classical Greek art. In classical iconography, Nikeis depicted as a fit, young, winged women with a palm frond or blade. The goddess Nike was the goddess of victory in Ancient Greece. ", Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license, http://data.perseus.org/citations/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0199.tlg001.perseus-eng1:11, https://www.cs.uky.edu/~raphael/sol/sol-html/, http://data.perseus.org/citations/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0013.tlg008.perseus-eng1:1, File:Zeus Typhon Staatliche Antikensammlungen 596.jpg, http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/textdoc=Ov.+Met.+8.12&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.02.0028, File:Nike of Paionios, Olympia Archaeological Museum (16309967616).jpg, http://www.kansalliskirjasto.fi/fi/search?keyword=yleistieto%20tiedotus%20lehdistokuvat_muistiin_painettua.html#11, https://www.bartleby.com/library/prose/3952.html, File:Temple of Athena Nik from Propylaea, Acropolis, Athens, Greece.jpg, A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, Online version at the Perseus Digital Library, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nike_(mythology)&oldid=1131965626, This page was last edited on 6 January 2023, at 16:53. What is Global Warming? [39] Her head is bent downwards slightly so that her gaze rests on the ground rather than the viewer. Her wings motivated her fighters to be daring and courageous and when they won, they would say . The Nike sports brand logo has an indirect connection with the goddess Nike. Thus, the process of selecting a priestess in Athens was not traditionally a democratic process. That was the challenge behind Nike Goddess, whose goal was to change how the company designed for, sold to and communicated with women. In her speech she mentions all the gods that have given up and fled the battle including Ares, Hermes, Apollo, Aphrodite, and Hephaistos. She is often also shown as a small figure in the hands of one of them, like the picture in this section. It's considered one of the most erotic carvings on the Acropolis. The Goddess Cybele in Mythology | Who Was Cybele? Though the design has changed quite a bit in the years since the 1928 Olympics, Nike has since been a mandatory part of the design in order to symbolize the triumphs and victories of the Olympic athletes. In the war between the gods and the Titans, Styx brought her children to serve Zeus. Winged Victory of Samothrace statue in the Louvre. [32] The slight overfold of her peplos across the midsection also evokes the sense of a small wind blowing upwards from her soft descent. Excavations have shown that the sculpture was placed alighting on a flagship, which was set in the ground in such a way that it appeared to float. All rights reserved. God. [36] Additionally, Paionios's Nike has adopted a striding stance as opposed to a pinwheel-type running stance. On the foundations of a timeless, simple, and memorable logo, Nike builds an identity impossible to forget. 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. When Zeus was gathering allies at the start of the Titan War, Styx brought her four children Nike, Zelos, Cratus and Bia into the service of the god. Beekes has suggested a Pre-Greek origin. In 'Nike and Ethics' we delve in to the lives of Aristotle and his prodigious. 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. [4] In Greek literature Nike is described as both an attribute and attendant to the gods Zeus and Athena. During the war of the Thunderer with the Titans, Nick helped the supreme ruler of Olympus, because all the gods swore by the waters of her mother . According to some ancient Greek texts, Nike was regarded as the daughter of. . Nike, ("Neekee" or "Nikay") is the Greek word for victory. A famous statue of her, Winged Victory of Samothrace, can be seen at the Louvre in Paris, France. NIKE (Nic) was the winged goddess of victory-victory both in war and in peaceful competition. That may well be, but shortly after the temple was completed, a parapet wall with a frieze of several winged Nikes was added. NIKE was the goddess of victory and peace. She did have three brothers - Zelos (rivalry),Kratos(strength) and Bia (force).