She is often also shown as a small figure in the hands of one of them, like the picture in this section. She always carried a palm branch in her right hand as a symbol of peace. 'victory', ancient: [n.k], modern:) was a goddess who personified victory in any field including art, music, war, and athletics. 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). Nike (shoe company) has been manufacturing sports equipment since 1978. In the war, Nike served him as a charioteer. 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. 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. her most well known powers are: the ability to fly . The Story of Nike, the Greek Goddess of Victory. Horus, Egyptian Sky God Story, Facts & Mythology | What is Horus the God of? Stefan is a freelance writer and a regular contributor to The Vintage News. BuzzFeed Staff.. In 'Nike and War' we understand the myth of Ares, God of War, and how he relates to Nike, Goddess of Victory. In Greek mythology, she was always portrayed as a symbol of victory, strength, and speed. It has also been noted that earlier depictions of Nemesis made her slightly resemble Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and passion. Statues of her often include a lyre or kithara used to celebrate a victory with song and dance. The Goddess of Victory and Zeus. One such example is Pheidias's statue of Zeus at Olympia. She was also sculpted with Athena, the goddess of war and wisdom. [21] When in the morning Typhon again issued his challenge, Zeus gathered the clouds around himself for armor and answered the monster's threats. "What's a Nike?" asked the President of the company. She probably needed them because she is often portrayed flying around battlefields, rewarding victory, glory, and fame by handing out laurel wreaths. [9] Her Roman equivalent was Victoria. She was most frequently recognized as the daughter of Styx and Pallas, the sister of Zelus, Cratus, and Bia, and as a close friend to both Zeus and Athena. NIKE (Nic) was the winged goddess of victory-victory both in war and in peaceful competition. Also, Nike has sometimes been linked to the musical instruments Lyre (or Kithara). Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. 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. During the Titanomachy conflict, she was the chief charioteer. In its 30-year history, Nike ahs become the undisputed leader in sports marketing, but beneath the success was an Achilles' heel. Her left arm is raised and once held her himation, or outer robe, as it blew out behind her in the wind. Nike is named after a woman the Greek goddess of victory but for most of its history, the company has been all about men. "The Story of Nike, the Greek Goddess of Victory." [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. 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. Log in or sign up to add this lesson to a Custom Course. [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. When she found one, she gave him fame and honor with a wreath of laurel leaves. In 1971, a Portland State University student named Carolyn Davidson would come up with probably one of the most recognizable logos of our times, the "Swoosh" logo of the U.S. athletic shoe and apparel company Nike. In some Indo-European languages, the name came from Neik which means to attack or to start something strongly. Winged Victory Nike of Samothrace, Greek Goddess h 27,5 inch (70cm) - Hand patinated statue, Carrara marble cast, Made in Italy, Gift Idea. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. In 'Nike and Ethics' we delve in to the lives of Aristotle and his prodigious student, Alexander the Great. 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. 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. He wanted a logo that encouraged movement. Her siblings were Kratos (god of Strength), Bia (goddess of Force), and Zelus (god of Zeal). After poring over and listening to this lesson, attempt to: To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. k/), "nee-keh" meaning: the Winged Goddess of Victory or from meaning victory Most people know who Nike is and what they do. This statue is speculated to be from the Hellenistic period according to Andrew Parkin. When the 1928 Olympic design was made, it featured Nike. 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. [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. All rights reserved. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. [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. To understand the meaning of the Nike logo, we should look to the Ancient Greeks and their deity Nike, the actual goddess of victory, often portrayed with wings. Zeus and the Olympians eventually won the battle. Also known as Winged Goddess, Nike is most often pictured as having wings. According to some ancient Greek texts, Nike was regarded as the daughter of. ", Blok, Josine (2014). Nike was the goddess of victory. Nike. Check out our goddess nike selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. NIKE (Nic) was the winged goddess of victory-victory both in war and in peaceful competition. As proof of the power of Nike, many sports stars maintain they owe their success to Nike shoes. Nike is probably the world's most recognized shoe company. ", Olga, Palagia. Nike was the Greek goddess of victory and was very revered and respected in Ancient Greece. Regula, deTraci. Nike is known to have many positive characteristics that make her a revered figure in mythology, but she is especially known for her speed and strength. Nike alone is often depicted in Greek art winged and carrying a symbol of victory, such as a wreath or palm frond. 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The goddess Nika is the goddess of victory, the daughter of Titan Pallant and Styx, the Akkadians believed that she was brought up with the daughter of Zeus Athena Pallada. As mentioned previously, she is often winged in order to symbolize her strength and agility. In 'Nike and Ethics' we delve in to the lives of Aristotle and his prodigious. On the foundations of a timeless, simple, and memorable logo, Nike builds an identity impossible to forget. Her laurel trophy is probably where we get the phrase 'resting on your laurels.'. The image of the goddess Nike is found on . She sometimes appears carrying a palm branch, wreath, or Hermes staff as the messenger of victory. Still, Nike maintained her close relationship with Zeus after the war ended, and Zeus invited Nike and her siblings to stay in Olympus with him. This was due to the fact that she was so closely associated with Athena and Zeus, who were much more prominent and revered figures in Greek mythology. Overall, it is likely that Persephone had a complex and nuanced view of herself, recognizing both her strengths and weaknesses and working to overcome her challenges and make the most of her . Nike himself. 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. [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). The straight lines of her garments imply weightiness and the pull of gravity during her gentle descent. As early as 1928, the Olympic Medal has featured Nike on its front side, and her representation would encircle names of Olympic medalists. In Roman Mythology, Nike was known as Victoria, after Greece fell to the Roman Empire. [17] For Styx he gave her the honor of being "the great oath of the gods"[17] For her children Zeus granted them his eternal favor by allowing them "to dwell with him for all time. Nike is also depicted in literature as a goddess who judges the excellence of gods and mortals in competition. As Zeus rode off from the battlefield, Nike followed him driving her father's chariot. Also, What does Nike stand for? victory in all aspects of ones life, not just in war. As a symbol of victory in both battle and friendly competition, Nike is a goddess that easily represents what so many desire to achieve. In the war against the Titans she was a personal Charioteer of the Gods. 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. the goddess of victory. 'victory', ancient: [n.k], modern: [ni.ci]) was a goddess who personified victory in any field including art, music, war, and athletics. [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. Minoan Civilization Achievements & Technologies | What were the Crafts of Minoans? 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. One of the most prominent sculptures depicting this deity is Nike of Samothrace, dated to the period between 424 and 203 BC. Nike, in ancient Greek religion, the goddess of victory, daughter of the giant Pallas and of the infernal River Styx. Aesculapius. The River Styx was named for Nike's . 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). Honda motorcycles use a symbol of Nike as part of the companys logo. She is a fairly minor goddess who doesn't star in any major Myths, but her role is an important one in many wars. "[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. What is the goddess Nike known for? the power of speed. She is sometimes portrayed with gold clothing and other ornaments, including the Staff of Hermes, which is said to grant someone immense speed and agility. 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