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. One such example is Pheidias's statue of Zeus at Olympia. [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. 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. Although her wings are lost, the roots of them can still be seen behind her shoulders. Swoosh creator: Carolyn Davidson, who invented the Nike swoosh logo in 1971, is pictured in 2003. "[14], Nike is often portrayed in literature in close association with Zeus or Athena. Known as Winged Victory, or the Winged Victory of Samothrace, it presents the goddess standing on the prow of a boat. She could have been less angry, less reclusive. 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. In addition to her image, the Olympic medal has the wreath of victory and shield symbols typically associated with Nike. Later, in the time of mortals, Nike was known for flying around battles to locate the victors. Where did the idea from Nike's Just Do It campaign come from? Everything you need to know about Hades the Greek God of the Underworld. 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. A Nike apparel store is not the only place where the deity is represented in modern days. Astronomers named the moon after Nikes mother, Styx. Many temples in honour of the goddess could be seen throughout Rome. 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. Nike - Myths and Facts. In 'Nike and War' we understand the myth of Ares, God of War, and how he relates to Nike, Goddess of Victory. Persephone, Athenian red-figure bell krater C5th B.C., Metropolitan Museum of Art PERSEPHONE was the goddess queen of the underworld, wife of the god Haides (Hades). 444 lessons. "Art as a Trophy: the Nike of Paionios. "What's a Nike?" asked the President of the company. In the modern Olympics, the Olympic medals given to winners have the image of the goddess Nike. She is often portrayed in Greek art as Winged Victory in the motion of flight; however, she can also appear without wings as "Wingless Victory" when she is being portrayed as an . This statue is speculated to be from the Hellenistic period according to Andrew Parkin. She became an employee at Nike, receiving a gold Swooshring, as well as shares of stocks at the company. Their children, the Titans (Prometheus who gave fire to man is probably the most famous) replaced them. Check out our goddess nike selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. This is because a victory parade or ceremony can never be complete without some form of singing or dancing. Aeternitas. In Greek mythology, Nike (/naki/ (listen); Ancient Greek: , lit. The branch of palm in her hand stands as another peace symbol. 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. (2021, December 6). Every Olympic coin since 1928 has had an obverse with Nike - a palm frond in her right hand and a wreath of laurel in her left. Nike is also depicted in literature as a goddess who judges the excellence of gods and mortals in competition. In1971, 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. When she found one, she gave him fame and honor with a wreath of laurel leaves. Nike, in ancient Greek religion, the goddess of victory, daughter of the giant Pallas and of the infernal River Styx. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. In 'Nike and War' we understand the myth of Ares, God of War, and how he relates to Nike, Goddess of Victory. So Pallas Athena is the representation of the goddess as a warrior and Athena Nike is the goddess victorious. See answer (1) Best Answer. Nike alone . In Greek Mythology the goddess Nike held a very important place in the society. 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. In 'The Swoosh Story' we chart the history of the world's most recognizable brand: Nike Inc. OregonLive.com estimates the gift of 500 shares of Nike stock she received as a result of her . In the war, Nike served him as a charioteer. [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. [39], During the Classical period, statuettes of Nike were often placed in the hands of larger deities. Updates? No, Nike the Goddess of Victory was never married. In Roman Mythology, Nike was known as Victoria, after Greece fell to the Roman Empire. Thus Nike was normally depicted as a beautiful woman, with a lyre in hand, to celebrate victory, a wreath, to crown a victor, and a bowl and cup for libations to honour the gods. Nike was the goddess of victory in Greek mythology, depicted as having wings, hence her alternative name "Winged Goddess". It is unclear whether she originated from a character trait of the Greek goddess Athena or has always existed as an independent deity. NIKE was the goddess of victory and peace. With a value of around $34.8 billion, Nike is one of the best-known athletic brands in the world. 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. She appears in Greek religion as a personified minor goddess, or as an aspect/epithet of Athena. She was always present during friendly competitions, flying around and celebrating victors. In 'Athena's Birth Story' we learn . Athena Nike was always wingless. [16] Of the gods, Styx and her children were the first to declare their loyalty to Zeus and as a result Zeus granted her and her children his favor. "Nike and Athena Nike. 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. One such statue can be found at the Zeus Temple in Attica. As Nike is a brand dedicated to sportswear and sports equipment, the company decided being based on Nike, the Goddess of Victory, was a fitting choice. 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. That word means strife or struggle. Corrections? In Greek mythology, she was always portrayed as a symbol of victory, strength, and speed. She always carried a palm branch in her right hand as a symbol of peace. Both Nike statues in Zeus's and Athena's hands were winged. As times started to . [39] Her head is bent downwards slightly so that her gaze rests on the ground rather than the viewer. Just 5 hours before the shipment was due to go out Johnson awoke with the name Nike. One is estimated to be 29 feet tall. [24] In the Theogony, this battle is described in a different manner. . 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. Navigating Nike# Nike is a crushing new Greek warrior every bit as comfortable on the frontlines as Bellona or Amaterasu. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/greek-mythology-nike-1525981. Today one of the most popular shoe brands have the name nike. The Romans called her Victoria. 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. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. In her speech she mentions all the gods that have given up and fled the battle including Ares, Hermes, Apollo, Aphrodite, and Hephaistos. "[26] However, Nike's role of judging excellence is not limited to strictly military prowess. Answer (1 of 9): The name originated with Nike's employee #1, Jeff Johnson. In the 20th century, Nike became the name for one of the world's largest shoe companies. In some Indo-European languages, the name came from Neik which means to attack or to start something strongly. Of course, the student council executives are busy. There is also a sculpture representation of Athena where she holds a smaller statue of Nike in one of her hands. The Greek goddess also wears sandals of gold, and besides victory, her two other main associations are strength and speed. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. 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. The image of the goddess Nike is found on . Pluto in ancient Roman mythology is the equivalent of Hades, the god of the underworld, i.e. According to this theory, Nike eventually broke off from Athena to form her own distinct personality. Your email address will not be published. bn. Her Roman counterpart is Victoria. Zeus and the Olympians eventually won the battle. The design was changed after Brazil won 3 out of 4 World Cups in a row because, as per FIFA regulations, the trophy was theirs to keep permanently. Nike is named after a woman - the Greek goddess of victory- but for most of . All these details suggest Nike is appearing and making a graceful descent to the earth rather than dashing sideways into view. 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 . Ancient Chinese Textiles Styles & Techniques | What are Chinese Textiles? "[46], In Athens Nike was often honored alongside Athena or as an attribute of Athena, where she was called Athena Nike. Nike was appointed his charioteer, and together the four became sentinels of Zeus' throne. When she did, though, she was always shown as the goddess of victory, strength, and speed. 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 had three siblings: Zelos . Her winged, straight, and slightly bent posture evokes the appearance that she is looking down at where to place her feet as she descends. "The Story of Nike, the Greek Goddess of Victory." NIKE (Nic) was the winged goddess of victory-victory both in war and in peaceful competition. But did you know that those shoes were actually named after a Greek goddess? https://www.thoughtco.com/greek-mythology-nike-1525981 (accessed January 18, 2023). 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 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. Fragments of Nike's face, forearms, and wings are missing, however, pieces of her wings can still be seen attached to her shoulders. Oct 11, 2017 Stefan Andrews. Angerona. Nike was the Goddess of victory, the ancient Greeks prayed for her protection in times of war and when for they embarked on long journeys. 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. [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. But, the winged goddess was more than just her symbolism. All rights reserved. It's also one of the most recognizable companies, thanks to its unique emblem. During the war with the Titans Zeus called all the gods to Olympus to determine their allegiance. More confident in herself. I want to tell her. [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). He has a Ph.D. from the University of Glasgow. This led to customers associating their purchases with the prospect of achieving greatness. "The Priestess of Athena Nike. On the foundations of a timeless, simple, and memorable logo, Nike builds an identity impossible to forget. It is thought to have been created on the island of Samothrace after a victory in a sea battle. Worldhistoryedu is not responsible for the content of external sites. She is typically described as either an attendant of the Greek Gods Zeus and Athena or as a facet of their personalities. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); World History Edu 2023. "The Story of Nike, the Greek Goddess of Victory." God. The goddess Nike is all about winning, being number one. While Nike's forearms and wings are missing the sockets for attaching her wings can be seen on her back. The Greek traveler and geographer Pausanias, writing about 600 years later, called the goddess depicted here Athena Aptera, or wingless. Sometimes she rested on Athena's palm, like at the Parthenon. This trophy was known as the Jules Rimet Trophy, named after the third FIFA president. If she was seen with another god, Nike was always wingless. She was also a messenger for the gods. Hyperion in Greek Mythology: God of Light | Who is Hyperion? 37 chapters | As a reward for their support, Nike and her siblings were made the foremost of Zeus . All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. 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. Minoan Civilization Achievements & Technologies | What were the Crafts of Minoans? 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