succeed. Explore her symbol and story as a goddess in Greek mythology, and learn how the goddess Nike is still important today. She was closely connected to Zeus and Athena, but wasn't a very common goddess in the Greek myths. She is often also shown as a small figure in the hands of one of them, like the picture in this section. I want to tell her that he loved her more than anything. 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. The Story of Nike, the Greek Goddess of Victory. When she did, though, she was always shown as the goddess of victory, strength, and speed. OregonLive.com estimates the gift of 500 shares of Nike stock she received as a result of her . "The Story of Nike, the Greek Goddess of Victory." [24] In the Theogony, this battle is described in a different manner. [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. ", Olga, Palagia. Your email address will not be published. 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 father was the second generation Titan, Pallas, the first Greek god of battle before Ares took the role. The name Nike is believed to have originated from the Greek word Neikos. Custom Winged VICTORY of SAMOTHRACE miniature GREEK goddess sculpture replicad. When the 1928 Olympic design was made, it featured Nike. The decree was unusual because it broke with Athenian tradition by handing over control of the cult to the state and instituting a democratic selection of the next priestess of Athena Nike by lot from all Athenian women. Nike probably did not originally have a separate cult at Athens. Nike was appointed his charioteer, and together the four became sentinels of Zeus' throne. Honda motorcycles use a symbol of Nike as part of the companys logo. I think that Nike carries a caduceus since it is a symbol of messengers. 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. Copy. Their children, the Titans (Prometheus who gave fire to man is probably the most famous) replaced them. In the war, Nike served him as a charioteer. 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. 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. Hyperion in Greek Mythology: God of Light | Who is Hyperion? Nike has differing origin stories in two ancient texts. Navigating Nike# Nike is a crushing new Greek warrior every bit as comfortable on the frontlines as Bellona or Amaterasu. The goddess Nike came to be an everlasting symbol . Another very important thing she carried was a wreath, always ready to crown a victor in battle or games of challenge. Nike. It's also one of the most recognizable companies, thanks to its unique emblem. Goddess. After poring over and listening to this lesson, attempt to: To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. The logo is derived from goddess' wing,'swoosh', which symbolises the sound of speed, movement, power and motivation. Nike had no consort or children. 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. Lesson Summary. Nike is often depicted with the following symbols, considered sacred to her. She also carries a wreath, to always be prepared to crown a winner, either of some battle or a game of sport. This decree proposed a plan for a new temple and priestess for Athena Nike. Known as Winged Victory, or the Winged Victory of Samothrace, it presents the goddess standing on the prow of a boat. Since victory is well within the grasp of this Goddess when played properly, take a look at these tips and tricks if you want to follow her along the road of winstreaks. Nike (shoe company) has been manufacturing sports equipment since 1978. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); World History Edu 2023. As early as 1928, the Olympic Medal has featured Nike on its front side, and her representation would encircle names of Olympic medalists. Winged Victory of Samothrace statue in the Louvre. She was the patron goddess of Athens, defended many beloved heroes, and even fought alongside the Greeks in the Trojan War. Nike himself. What are the goddess Nike thought about her inner self - 20781632. spencerkeliamariano spencerkeliamariano 01/20/2021 History . It is unclear whether she originated from a character trait of the Greek goddess Athena or has always existed as an independent deity. The U of Unilever is filled with variety of random images. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/greek-mythology-nike-1525981. Answer (1 of 9): The name originated with Nike's employee #1, Jeff Johnson. It is thought to have been created on the island of Samothrace after a victory in a sea battle. [15] According to the Theogony Nike, Zelus, Kratos, and Bia "will not live apart from Zeus nor go except where the god goes before them, but they sit for ever beside heavy-booming Zeus. She helped the Olympians beat the Titans in the Titan War and attended all battles and competitions afterward to celebrate victories. As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 84,000 What is Global Warming? To reward her for the efforts, as soon as he comes to power, Zeus agrees to keep Nike always close to him, offering an eternal protection. Also, What does Nike stand for? Is Nike named after the goddess of victory? "[46], In Athens Nike was often honored alongside Athena or as an attribute of Athena, where she was called Athena Nike. While Nike's forearms and wings are missing the sockets for attaching her wings can be seen on her back. This led to customers associating their purchases with the prospect of achieving greatness. Acis. 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. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. In Greek Mythology the goddess Nike held a very important place in the society. Baudrillart, in another paper (as cited in Sikes, 1895), shares a similar view that Nike was once a part of Athena and separated from her around the 5th century. This symbolizes her readiness to toast to the victor of the battle. Thirty per cent of sports footwear sales belong to Nike. In classical iconography, Nikeis depicted as a fit, young, winged women with a palm frond or blade. In Greek mythology, Nike is the Winged Goddess of Victory. Outside of the Propelyea (the gate leading to the buildings on the Acropolis in Athenai) is. Nike was the goddess representing victory. Anna Perenna. 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 had a close relationship with both Zeus and Athena. Those who came out victorious from their battles were often awarded a wreath of laurel leaves in ancient times. Although Pluto is no longer considered a planet by some planetary experts, in 2013 Styx was recognized as a moon of Pluto. At Rome, where Nike was called Victoria, she was worshipped from the earliest times. 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Athena Nike was always wingless. In her speech she mentions all the gods that have given up and fled the battle including Ares, Hermes, Apollo, Aphrodite, and Hephaistos. Her excellent attributes landed her a position at the right hand of Zeus during the war against the Titans. If this is true it would make the word cognate with Ancient Greek (nekos, "strife") and Lithuanian ap-nikti ("to attack"). 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. Famous and global brands such as Rolls-Royce, Honda Motorcycles, U.S. The roman counterpart of Nike is the goddess, Victoria. Nike is also associated with speed and agility which perhaps also explains why this Goddess of victory is used as a tradename for a . Regula, deTraci. Although her wings are lost, the roots of them can still be seen behind her shoulders. In 'The Swoosh Story' we chart the history of the world's most recognizable brand: Nike Inc. What is the goddess Nike known for? Given her striking appearance and unique skills, Nike does not actually appear in many mythological stories. A Greek would say, "When we go to battle and win, we say it is Nike." According to Greek Mythology, The Nike was the winged goddess of victory. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Her counterpart in Roman mythology might ring a bell even better, that is the goddess Victoria. (463) $1,347.07. The story begins with a winged champion named Nike. What is the goddess Nike's powers? DeTraci Regula is a freelance writer who has specialized in Greek travel and tours for 18 years. The legends tell how Nike developed a close relationship with both of these deities. The River Styx was named for Nike's . 10 Fast Facts on Athena and Her Parthenon, The Twelve Olympian Gods and Goddesses of Greek Mythology, Fast Facts on Helios - Greek God of the Sun, Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of Love and Beauty. Nike was a Greek war goddess who personified victory . By changing Nike's stance, Paionios has relinquished depiction of Nike's swift speed in favor of depicting her in a forward alighting motion that directly engages the viewer. The image of the goddess Nike is found on . [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. The oldest Nike sculpture known to exist believed to date back to 550 BCE and is located on the Greek island of Delos. The name Nike was chosen by company founders because of her attributes of speed and victory. This trophy was known as the Jules Rimet Trophy, named after the third FIFA president. 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. Nike's right arm is outstretched at an angle while her left arm is bent so that her hand rests upon her upper thigh. 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. [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. 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). Which is why in numerous representations, either in sculpture or painting, Nike can be noticed next to Zeus. One of the most prominent sculptures depicting this deity is Nike of Samothrace, dated to the period between 424 and 203 BC. In the modern Olympics, the Olympic medals given to winners have the image of the goddess Nike. ", Blok, Josine (2014). Nike noun origin: Greek , pronounced: (/n. [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 portion of the hood ornament on all Rolls-Royce vehicles includes a depiction of Nike. Athena Nike was always wingless. [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. [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). 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. She was also depicted on the FIFA World Cup trophy for many decades. In the mythological episodes that narrate the great Titan Wars, the conflicts after which the Olympians led by Zeus take over control of the world from the infamous Titans, Nike comes on the side of Zeus, and she helps him by being his principal chariot driver. In 'Nike and Ethics' we delve in to the lives of Aristotle and his prodigious. Nike was the goddess of . [22] During the fighting Nike used her shield to protect Zeus while he fought with his thunderbolts and frigid rain. Take the Goddess Quiz personality test to explore which goddess archetype you are and what that means for you. 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. Nike is mainly known for her association with victory in battles and for her close relationship with Zeus and Athena. Both Nike statues in Zeus's and Athena's hands were winged. 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 . Nike - Myths and Facts. Her Roman name was known as Victoria (Gr: ) (see Roman Mythology for more information), which of course translated to "victory". However, he holds that the Athena Nike personality continued to exist alongside the distinct Nike personality. 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 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. Any time Nike was sculpted, she had wings. She is often associated with Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war, and Zeus, the king of the Gods. She became a resident of Olympus after assisting Zeus in the Titan War, and she had the important duty of being the divine charioteer for both Zeus and Athena. [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. "The Priestess of Athena Nike. In turn, the Olympians Zeus, Hera, Athena, Apollo, and Aphroditedefeated them and became the leading gods. Pausanias noted that there was an altar solely to Nike in Olympia next to the altar of Zeus Purifier. [32] This slight forward and downward motion is illustrated in the Capitoline Nike (460 BCE) from Magna Grecia. The Nike logo is undoubtedly a simple design, composed only of two curved lines, but over the years those lines have generated billions for its owners. The Nike sports brand logo has an indirect connection with the goddess Nike. Nike was not just associated with the . The 1928 Olympics took place in Amsterdam, and it was here that the first Olympic medals with an illustration of Nike were presented. 37 chapters | Goddess. Its symbol, the famous swoosh, was inspired by the flying goddess. Nike's resilience and determination made her recognizable throughout her time, eventually naming her a Goddess. It was designed by Kallikrates, one of the architects of the Parthenon during the rule reign of Pericles, about 420 B.C. Nike and her siblings had a privileged relationship with Zeus, the most important God of the Pantheon. 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. pu. Cronus had received a prophecy from his own father, Uranus, that one of his sons was eventually going to overthrow him, so he ate his children to prevent this from happening. Durga (Sanskrit: , IAST: Durg) is a major deity in Hinduism. Her siblings were Kratos (god of Strength), Bia (goddess of Force), and Zelus (god of Zeal). Due to this, soldiers and military generals never went out to battle without offering some sort of prayers or sacrifice to the goddess. There were no specific myths about Nike or her siblings, though. The most prominent dedication to Nike is the Temple of Athena Nike at the Acropolis in Athens. His original idea for the brand name supposedly was Dimension 6. Nike had three siblings: Zelos . In Greek Mythology, Nike was the Goddess of speed, strength and victory. If she was seen with another god, Nike was always wingless. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. The fusion of the two goddesses at Athens has contributed to the ambiguity surrounding Nike's origins. 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. bn. "What's a Nike?" asked the President of the company. Only once Hephaestus tried to annoy her erotically, but the goddess resisted bravely. Anubis & Bastet | Hieroglyph, Form & Mythology, Hera, Queen of the Gods | Powers, Story & Myths, Mnemosyne Symbols, Daughters & Mythology | The Greek Goddess of Memory. With a value of around $34.8 billion, Nike is one of the best-known athletic brands in the world. Rational Irrationality, Caplan's Rational Irrationality: Definition & Economics, WWI New Weapons & Technology: Tanks, Machine Guns & Planes, Working Scholars Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community, Zelus, the god of rivalry and competition. Nike, ("Neekee" or "Nikay") is the Greek word for victory. As the goddess of speed, strength, and victory, Nike was a natural for a sports company. Greek God Uranus | Who is Uranus in Greek Mythology? Kristin has taught English to children and adults for over two years. This was a way to symbolize the glory and fame that accompanied a success in battle. [48] The three votive processions on the parapet of the Temple of Athena Nike display this relationship between Athena and Nike. Fragments of Nike's face, forearms, and wings are missing, however, pieces of her wings can still be seen attached to her shoulders. He wanted a logo that encouraged movement. The most celebrated depiction of Nike is not in Greece at all but dominates a gallery of the Louvre in Paris. The name Nike, used to be known as something other than just a shoe brand, during the Hellenistic period, Nike was the Greek Goddess of Victory. The Nike. Nike cannot Apple these blessings on herself, and only her teammates. Omissions? 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. 444 lessons. Nike is the Greek goddess of victory, daughter of the Titans Pallas and Styx. Since 1945, the goddess has also been used by the U.S. Anti Aircraft Missle System. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The latter, discovered on Samothrace in 1863 and now in the Louvre Museum, Paris, was probably erected by Rhodians about 190 bce to commemorate a sea battle. Don't think about it - just do it. Goddess. [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. Many sculptures of Zeus and/or Athena hold a smaller Nike in their right hand. Nikes reward for doing this was that Zeus promised to keep her near him and to protect her forever. More confident in herself. God of the Acis River in Sicily. [49] As a result of the merging of the two goddesses Athena Nike was worshipped as a goddess of victory in Athens, particularly military victory. Nike: The ancient Greeks worshiped a pantheon of gods and goddesses. Palm Branch - this item symbolized peace and has been used since ancient times as such. Agencies. > Johnson's free-thinking approach chafed against anything that gave off a whiff of buttoned-up corporate air. Indeed, Davidson may not have been aware at the beginning what powerful branding she had invented, but soon enough her efforts were praised. Nike was the Greek goddess of victory and was very revered and respected in Ancient Greece. 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. Ancient Chinese Textiles Styles & Techniques | What are Chinese Textiles? [12] In contrast to Harrison and Baudrillart's views, E.E. NIKE was the goddess of victory and peace. But every single image depicts the range of products Unilever manufactures.