. ThoughtCo. "What's a Nike?" asked the President of the company. She is often seen seated beside Zeus on Mount Olympus. Known as Winged Victory, or the Winged Victory of Samothrace, it presents the goddess standing on the prow of a boat. 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. The River Styx was named for Nike's . 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. She sometimes appears carrying a palm branch, wreath, or Hermes staff as the messenger of victory. Winged Victory Nike of Samothrace, Greek Goddess h 27,5 inch (70cm) - Hand patinated statue, Carrara marble cast, Made in Italy, Gift Idea. 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. He embodies the physical valor necessary for success in war but can also personify sheer brutality and bloodlust, in contrast to his sister, the armored Athena, whose martial functions include . Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. Link will appear as Nike: https://greekgodsandgoddesses.net - Greek Gods & Goddesses, February 9, 2017, Greek Gods and Goddesses 2010 - 2023 | About | Contact | Sitemap | Privacy. In classical iconography, Nikeis depicted as a fit, young, winged women with a palm frond or blade. https://www.thoughtco.com/greek-mythology-nike-1525981 (accessed January 18, 2023). Gddess and personification of eternity. Her excellent attributes landed her a position at the right hand of Zeus during the war against the Titans. That may well be, but shortly after the temple was completed, a parapet wall with a frieze of several winged Nikes was added. . She was also a messenger for the gods. 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. According to Pausanias, this Nike statue was roughly four cubits tall (about seventy-two inches). When did Nike introduce Just Do It? Zeus recruited the help of many gods and goddesses to take down his father, and this is when Styx offered her four children to help. [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 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. Ancient Chinese Textiles Styles & Techniques | What are Chinese Textiles? Nike is also depicted in literature as a goddess who judges the excellence of gods and mortals in competition. 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. The story begins with a winged champion named Nike. He declared that any god that chose to align with him against Kronos would receive his honor and favor. She was typically associated with speed, strength and victory. Nike has been the symbol used since 1945 by Americas Anti Aircraft Missile System. The multinational company Nike Inc., known for its athletic clothing and sports equipment, was named after the goddess Nike in 1971. 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. Winged Victory of Samothrace statue in the Louvre. 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. 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). Who thought of the name Nike? 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. In 'Nike and War' we understand the myth of Ares, God of War, and how he relates to Nike, Goddess of Victory. The Winged Victory of Samothrace Author: Lyoko88 CC BY-SA 4.0. Just 5 hours before the shipment was due to go out Johnson awoke with the name Nike. She is mostly associated with the laurel wreath, a symbol of victory bestowed upon winners, and she has also frequently been depicted with the Staff of Hermes or a palm branch. victory in all aspects of ones life, not just in war. Sometimes she rested on Athena's palm, like at the Parthenon. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); World History Edu 2023. She also has a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) Certificate and experience leading university-level classes in several subjects. 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. Nike was a pretty simple goddess, so she didn't show up much in Greek mythology. 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"The Greek goddess of Victory" replied Johnson. Nike alone was winged. Worldhistoryedu is not responsible for the content of external sites. 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. The goddess Nike is the daughter of Pallas and Oiles, she was born regularly from her mother. Her Roman name was known as Victoria (Gr: ) (see Roman Mythology for more information), which of course translated to "victory". She appears with Zeus on statues in places such as the Temple of Zeus in Attica and on the west portico of the Temple of Athena in Athens. Anna Perenna. As the Winged Goddess of Victory, Nike needs to proclaim people's victories, sort of like . In general, Nemesis is shown as winged goddess, almost similar in stature as another winged deity, the goddess Nike (goddess of victory). Indeed, Davidson may not have been aware at the beginning what powerful branding she had invented, but soon enough her efforts were praised. 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. Regula, deTraci. [39] Her head is bent downwards slightly so that her gaze rests on the ground rather than the viewer. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. During the Titanomachy conflict, she was the chief charioteer. 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. She was closely connected to Zeus and Athena, but wasn't a very common goddess in the Greek myths. Nike, in ancient Greek religion, the goddess of victory, daughter of the giant Pallas and of the infernal River Styx. Rumor has it she later received an undisclosed amount of stock options as well. All these details suggest Nike is appearing and making a graceful descent to the earth rather than dashing sideways into view. Regula, deTraci. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. She is also known as the Winged Goddess, due to many depictions of her show her having wings. Nike herself is posed atop a globe, which is acting as the base. The fusion of the two goddesses at Athens has contributed to the ambiguity surrounding Nike's origins. The reason why astronomers named it after Styx was because the nymph is typically associated to the River Styx the river that divides the living world from the underworld. 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. As Nike was often closely associated with Athena, it makes sense that the most prominent temple for Nike is the, Give familial details about the Greek goddess Nike, Discuss her role in Greek mythology as well as her influence in modern times. Greek God Uranus | Who is Uranus in Greek Mythology? In the war, Nike served him as a charioteer. Headquartered in Oregon, Nike has been the leader in the world of sports equipment and apparel since 1978 and is estimated to employ 44,000 workers around the globe. In this essay you have learned that Nike is the goddess of speed, strength and victory. During the war with the Titans Zeus called all the gods to Olympus to determine their allegiance. 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. In Greek mythology, Nike was the Greek personification of "victory". The logo is derived . I feel like its a lifeline. Additionally, both of her feet are placed side by side in a standing pose rather than a striding pose. Statues of her often include a lyre or kithara used to celebrate a victory with song and dance. Instead of flying sideways, Paionios's Nike advances forward with feet just alighting upon the ground. All rights reserved. A portion of the hood ornament on all Rolls-Royce vehicles includes a depiction of Nike. She honored individuals who won competitions in athletics, theater or music and also cities and states that won . But unlike Nike, Romans regarded Victoria as one of the supreme gods. How did growing nationalism in France help napoleon achieve his goals ? This decree proposed a plan for a new temple and priestess for Athena Nike. Their children, the Titans (Prometheus who gave fire to man is probably . Goddess associated with snakes and Medea. [41] Nike typically appears without wings in Greek sculpture when she is being represented as an attribute of another deity, such as Athena. Thirty per cent of sports footwear sales belong to Nike. But every single image depicts the range of products Unilever manufactures. 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). "[16] Nike and her siblings achieved these honorable positions by Zeus's side during the Titanomachy. 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. She always carried a palm branch in her right hand as a symbol of peace. In the war between the gods and the Titans, Styx brought her children to serve Zeus. I know how much she thought he must have hated her as a mother. 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. While Nike's forearms and wings are missing the sockets for attaching her wings can be seen on her back. Nike was mainly known for her overwhelmingly positive traits, but she had an overwhelming desire to always win due to her title as the goddess of victory. Last modified February 16, 2022, Your email address will not be published. In Greek Mythology, Nike was the Goddess of speed, strength and victory. Goddess of the circle . 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 can pop up in plenty other instances too. Nike. Honda motorcycles use a symbol of Nike as part of the companys logo. "[46], In Athens Nike was often honored alongside Athena or as an attribute of Athena, where she was called Athena Nike. Also, What does Nike stand for? Wings - Nike's wings symbolized her role as goddess of speed. Despite her immense power, she was depicted as highly competitive with both mortals and other gods. The River Styx was named for Nikes grandfather Tethys. 2 / 8. She had a son, Strife, whom she brought along with her when she rode her chariot to war alongside Ares. Updates? The goddess Nike came to be an everlasting symbol . Nike cannot Apple these blessings on herself, and only her teammates. 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. Acis. Combat. Nike was mentioned here and there as rewarding a hero with a wreath of laurel leaves or a reference was made to an Olympian having 'Nike's gift' or 'Nike's prize.' Athena Nike was always wingless. 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. Since Athena held greater power in Athens, she acquired some of the functions traditionally only Nike possessed as well as her title of Victory. Aeternitas. NIKE (Nic) was the winged goddess of victory-victory both in war and in peaceful competition. Nike alone . Nike - Myths and Facts. He was notorious for bringing a book to important meetings, pretending like he wa. The name was chosen because nike is the goddess of speed and victory. She flew over battlefields to reward those that she and her master favored with glory and fame. 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. Copy. A successful brand should be a short word maximum two with an exotic letter according to Jeff Johnson, the company's first employee in Massachusetts. It's considered one of the most erotic carvings on the Acropolis. If this is true it would make the word cognate with Ancient Greek (nekos, "strife") and Lithuanian ap-nikti ("to attack"). The name Nike was chosen by company founders because of her attributes of speed and victory. [58], Stone carving of the goddess Nike at the ruins of the ancient city of, Sikes, E.E. [32] The slight overfold of her peplos across the midsection also evokes the sense of a small wind blowing upwards from her soft descent. 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