With a value of around $34.8 billion, Nike is one of the best-known athletic brands in the world. It came to him in a dream. She is a fairly minor goddess who doesn't star in any major Myths, but her role is an important one in many wars. 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. This agricultural-based cult promised its initiates passage to a blessed afterlife. [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. [12] Sikes postulates that the theory that Nike first originated from Athena arose from the confusion of the two goddesses at Athens where Athena Nike and Nike existed alongside each other. Honda motorcycles use a symbol of Nike as part of the companys logo. [41] Nike typically appears without wings in Greek sculpture when she is being represented as an attribute of another deity, such as Athena. She had no love affairs and symbolized the eternal virginity. 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. She can pop up in plenty other instances too. Her left arm is raised and once held her himation, or outer robe, as it blew out behind her in the wind. Link will appear as Nike: https://greekgodsandgoddesses.net - Greek Gods & Goddesses, February 9, 2017, Greek Gods and Goddesses 2010 - 2023 | About | Contact | Sitemap | Privacy. One of the most prominent sculptures depicting this deity is Nike of Samothrace, dated to the period between 424 and 203 BC. She also carries a wreath, to always be prepared to crown a winner, either of some battle or a game of sport. Nike is also depicted in literature as a goddess who judges the excellence of gods and mortals in competition. Believed to be the daughter of a titan, she fought for the gods in the Titanomachy and earned her place among them (Scott & Editors, 2017). According to this theory, Nike eventually broke off from Athena to form her own distinct personality. [4] In Greek literature Nike is described as both an attribute and attendant to the gods Zeus and Athena. [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. In Greek Mythology, Nike was the Goddess of speed, strength and victory. Zeus is neither hesitant nor fearful and Nike makes no appearance to encourage or aid Zeus in the fighting.[25]. Phil Knight Author: Neon Tommy CC BY-SA 2.0. Goddess associated with snakes and Medea. Winged Victory of Samothrace statue in the Louvre. In Greek mythology, Nike was the Greek personification of "victory". ThoughtCo. This makes a whole lot of sense, considering the fact that Nike was the bringer of victory, i.e. 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. Nike allied herself with the Chief Greek God Zeus during the great Titanomachy conflict. 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. Unearthed in 1863, it is now an acquisition of the Louvre, in Paris. 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. [28] In both these examples Nike is associated with victory in an athletic competition rather than only a military competition. 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. Don't think about it - just do it. Outside of the Propelyea (the gate leading to the buildings on the Acropolis in Athenai) is. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. [42] According to the Suda, Athena Nike without wings represents calm civility, the pomegranate represents prosperity and the doffed helmet represents peace. During this event, she functioned as his chief charioteer. This trophy was known as the Jules Rimet Trophy, named after the third FIFA president. Log in or sign up to add this lesson to a Custom Course. "What's a Nike?" asked the President of the company. Nike, in ancient Greek religion, the goddess of victory, daughter of the giant Pallas and of the infernal River Styx. The U of Unilever is filled with variety of random images. Nike's resilience and determination made her recognizable throughout her time, eventually naming her a Goddess. Lesson Summary. The Greek God Hermes | What is Hermes the God of? the god of death. Nike was the goddess of victory in Greek mythology, depicted as having wings, hence her alternative name "Winged Goddess". Of these, Nike was the most popular. When she did, though, she was always shown as the goddess of victory, strength, and speed. [5] Nike gained this honored role beside Zeus during the Titanomachy where she was one of the first gods to offer her allegiance to Zeus. The Story of Nike, the Greek Goddess of Victory. Statues of her attempt to evoke a sense of flight. Flint has tutored mathematics through precalculus, science, and English and has taught college history. While the Greek word (nik) is of uncertain etymology, R.S.P. Also, Nike has sometimes been linked to the musical instruments Lyre (or Kithara). The oldest artifact showing Nike can be further seen on Delos, a Greek island, and dated to sometime around 550 BC. She honored individuals who won competitions in athletics, theater or music and also cities and states that won . [52] For example, the priestess of Athena Polias was the heir of the aristocratic Eteoboutadai genos, since they controlled the priesthood for Athena Polias. Her excellent attributes landed her a position at the right hand of Zeus during the war against the Titans. 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. Who thought of the name Nike? ", Parkin, Andrew. Greek God Uranus | Who is Uranus in Greek Mythology? Ancient Chinese Textiles Styles & Techniques | What are Chinese Textiles? Goddess. ThoughtCo, Dec. 6, 2021, thoughtco.com/greek-mythology-nike-1525981. In the modern Olympics, the Olympic medals given to winners have the image of the goddess Nike. More confident in herself. Goddess. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. Her Roman name was known as Victoria (Gr: ) (see Roman Mythology for more information), which of course translated to "victory". Answer (1 of 3): Is Nike related to Athena? [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. This larger-than-life statue was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Stories about the goddess said that she would "swoop" in suddenly. One such example is Pheidias's statue of Zeus at Olympia. > Johnson's free-thinking approach chafed against anything that gave off a whiff of buttoned-up corporate air. On the foundations of a timeless, simple, and memorable logo, Nike builds an identity impossible to forget. why is the industrial revolution considered the most important event that happened in human history Another very important thing she carried was a wreath, always ready to crown a victor in battle or games of challenge. Regardless of whether it is 2017 or 250BC, mankind has equated success and triumph with being regarded as #1 in some pursuit whether it be a sport or in our career. Aesculapius. Who is goddess of victory in Hinduism? "The Story of Nike, the Greek Goddess of Victory." Painters would represent Nike wearing a golden robe, as much as they would keep her wings as a symbol of her powers to reward or even dishonor a winner if proven the person is unworthy of such status. Goddess Nike - Goddess of Victory. Most sculptures of Nike were made from the core of a piece of wood encased in ivory and gold. 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. [32] This slight forward and downward motion is illustrated in the Capitoline Nike (460 BCE) from Magna Grecia. 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. NIKE was the goddess of victory and peace. Thus, the process of selecting a priestess in Athens was not traditionally a democratic process. She was the daughter of the Titan Pallas and the goddess Styx, and had three other siblings . Stefan is a freelance writer and a regular contributor to The Vintage News. Nike alone . Everything you need to know about Hades the Greek God of the Underworld. The Winged Victory of Samothrace Author: Lyoko88 CC BY-SA 4.0. The original FIFA World Cup Trophy design, from the beginning of the tournament until 1970, was a gold-plated figure of Nike holding a cup above her head. The Greek pantheon of gods and goddesses features three waves of leading deities. [6] At Athens, Nike became a servant to Athena as well as an attribute of her due to the prominent status Athena held in her patron city. As times started to . Regarding death, it is believed that when Nike possessed the Staff of Hermes, she had the ability to resurrect dead people. 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." I know how much she thought he must have hated her as a mother. 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. Later, in the time of mortals, Nike was known for flying around battles to locate the victors. Winged Victory Nike of Samothrace, Greek Goddess h 27,5 inch (70cm) - Hand patinated statue, Carrara marble cast, Made in Italy, Gift Idea. Sikes believed that Nike was always a distinct personality from Athena. Wings - Nike's wings symbolized her role as goddess of speed. In 'The Swoosh Story' we chart the history of the world's most recognizable brand: Nike Inc. [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). Also known as Winged Goddess, Nike is most often pictured as having wings. The statue itself was roughly two meters high and was orientated to face the east. The four siblings were companions of Zeus, and Nike had the role of the divine charioteer, flying above battlefields and giving glory to the victors. The 2 goddesses are similar in many aspects, for example, both goddesses are winged deities. [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. No-one was particularly taken with the name, but time was the of the essence. The name Nike was chosen by company founders because of her attributes of speed and victory. She represented ultimate success and triumph. 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. In Greek mythology, Nike is the Winged Goddess of Victory. (463) $1,347.07. Who is the goddess Nick? 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. This was symbolized by a wreath of bay leaves, a . Quite commonly, Nike is shown holding a palm branch, which was often used to symbolize the period of peace following a victory. One of them, Nike adjusting her sandal, known as "The Sandal Binder" depicts the goddess draped in figure-revealing wet fabric. ", Blok, Josine (2014). Nike, in ancient Greek religion, the goddess of victory, daughter of the giant Pallas and of the infernal River Styx. 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. In Greek mythology, Nike was the winged daughter of Pallas and the river Styx. Rumor has it she later received an undisclosed amount of stock options as well. The most celebrated depiction of Nike is not in Greece at all but dominates a gallery of the Louvre in Paris. Take the Goddess Quiz personality test to explore which goddess archetype you are and what that means for you. Astronomers named the moon after Nikes mother, Styx. She helped the Olympians beat the Titans in the Titan War and attended all battles and competitions afterward to celebrate victories. Nike became Zeus's charioteer. We're all familiar with the Nike logo. [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. 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