In Ancient Greek mythology, Nike was the Goddess who personified Victory. Personifications weren’t rare in Greek religion. For example, Arete was the Goddess of excellence and virtue, and Aeltheia was the spirit of truth. Sister of Kratos (Stregth), Bia (Force), and Zelus (Zeal), the Greek Goddess of Victory was famous for her grace, strength and speed.
1. Bringing fame and glory to all victors
The Greek poet Hesiod described the Goddess as ‘beautiful-ankled Nike’, and she was almost always represented in Greek art as a beautiful, winged woman. Her main role in life was to fly around battlefields, rewarding victors. The winning soldiers received a wreath of laurel leaves, symbolizing fame and glory. But she also visited and crowned outstanding athletes and heroes.
Nike and her siblings had a privileged relationship with Zeus, the most important God of the Pantheon. One of the most celebrated representations of the Goddess of Victory was the magnificent 5th century BC statue of Zeus at Olympia. This larger-than-life statue was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Decorated with gold and ivory, Zeus held a statuette of Nike in his left hand. Ever heard of the Olympic Games of ancient Greece? As their name suggests, they took place at Olympia. And of course, the Goddess of Victory needed to be there in her role as the bestower of prizes.
3. The Goddess of Victory and Athena
Nike was also very close to Athena, Goddess of Wisdom and War. The Parthenon, on the Acropolis of Athens, was the most famous temple dedicated to Athena (it’s also part of our Treasure Hunt at the British Museum!). Inside the temple, Athena appeared in another huge statue of ivory and gold, holding the Goddess of Victory in her right hand. Unfortunately, both Zeus and Athena’s statues are lost to us, but some Roman copies and the descriptions by Pausanias give us a glimpse of their magnificence.
Very often Nike appeared on her own. She was a famous subject in Greek pottery of the 4th and 5th centuries BC. And she also appeared on Greek coins. In addition, when the Greeks won important battles, they dedicated big statues of the Goddess of Victory, thanking her for the positive outcome of the war. The oldest surviving Nike in Greek Sculpture is from Delos. The statue shows the typical pose of archaic sculpture: she is strictly frontal, and her knees and elbows create sharp angles. This was the only way the artist knew to portray swift and violent movement. But get ready for some outstanding improvements!
5. Nike’s most beautiful portrait
After experimenting for some years, Greek artists learned how to portray realistic movement. How better to appreciate their skills than in the famous Nike of Samothrace? This statue, today at the Louvre, is one of the most celebrated sculptures of the ancient world. It probably commemorated a naval battle (although we don’t know which). Here, the Goddess of Victory is descending from the skies to land on the prow of a triumphant fleet. Her graceful balance and flowing drapery convey a sense of action and triumph.
6. Honouring Nike today
The Nike of Samothrace is, of course, featured in our Treasure Hunt at the Louvre. In 2018, we even built a whole treasure hunt with Nike as the centerpiece, for a corporate client. Can you guess who? Hint: it was an American multi-national corporation, famous for sneakers and sportswear, who take their name from our favourite Goddess of Victory…
We never launched this Nike-themed treasure hunt (which covers athletes and all thing sport) to the public, but plan to do so as soon as we’re ready to celebrate our victory over coronavirus!
But we’re not the only ones showing our appreciation for Nike of Samothrace. In 1964, she made an appearance in Godard’s Bande à Part, in a wonderful scene in which three naughty New Wave teens run through the halls of the Louvre. More recently, this single lady even had a cameo in a Beyoncé video, filmed at the Louvre, where dancers undulate like waves on the stairs below her.
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The Greek poet Hesiod described the Goddess as 'beautiful-ankled Nike', and she was almost always represented in Greek art as a beautiful, winged woman. Her main role in life was to fly around battlefields, rewarding victors.
Quite commonly, Nike is shown holding a palm branch, which was often used to symbolize the period of peace following a victory. Most importantly, Nike is associated with the laurel wreath. Those who came out victorious from their battles were often awarded a wreath of laurel leaves in ancient times.
In ancient Greek religion and mythology, Nike was the goddess of victory. She was connected with competitions in general, such as athletic games, and with war. In Roman mythology Nike was called Victoria. Nike was the daughter of the giant Pallas and of the River Styx (one of the rivers of the underworld).
In Greek mythology, Nike (pronounced nee-kay) was the daughter of the titan Pallas and the goddess Styx. She was one of the few goddesses who did not take sides in the Titanomachy, the war between the Titans and the Olympians. Instead, she sided with the Olympians and became their messenger and symbol of victory.
The goddess of victory, or, as the Romans called her, Victoria, is described as a daughter of Pallas and Styx, and as a sister of Zelus (zeal), Cratos (strength), and Bia (force).
Nike. In Greek mythology, Nike is the Winged Goddess of Victory. The logo is derived from goddess' wing,'swoosh', which symbolises the sound of speed, movement, power and motivation.
Nike, Inc. (stylized as NIKE) is an American athletic footwear and apparel corporation headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, United States. It is the world's largest supplier of athletic shoes and apparel and a major manufacturer of sports equipment, with revenue in excess of US$46 billion in its fiscal year 2022.
The Goddess Nike is often portrayed as a winged figure, symbolizing speed, agility, and triumph. She is sometimes depicted holding a palm branch or a wreath, which represent victory and peace. Nike is also occasionally shown carrying Hermes' staff as the messenger of victory.
Nike represents a global culture of sport, style and the pursuit of greatness. We are passionate about potential and believe everyone should have the tools to reach theirs.
The Swoosh is more than just a checkmark. It represents the wing of the Greek goddess Nike, symbolizing speed, movement, power, and motivation. Davidson's design captured the spirit of athleticism and excellence that Nike aspired to represent.
Nike's success has been tied to its ability to blend product innovation and marketing savvy to develop deep ties between its products and its customers. Innovative marketing. The “Just Do It” slogan focuses not on the glory of winning, but the hard work and daily struggle of putting in the effort no matter what.
Founded by Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman in 1964, Nike started life as Blue Ribbon Sports. Initially, Blue Ribbon Sports were just distributors of running shoes made by a Japanese company Onitsuka Tiger (now known as Asics).
She has the ability to be able to foresee victories and can grant victory. She can also curse people. Victory Inducement: Nike has the ability to grant victory on to anyone she pleases. Intuitive Precognition: Nike can see any victory that is going to occur and can transport herself there if needed.
Her symbols include the magical girdle, myrtle, roses,and the scallop shell. Her sacred animals include doves and sparrows. God of courage, war, bloodshed, and violence. The son of Zeus and Hera, he was depicted as a beardless youth, either nude with a helmet and spear or sword, or as an armed warrior.
Goddess of Victory: Nikke set in a post-apocalyptic future where the surface of the Earth was overthrown by mechanical aliens, called Raptures. The surviving humans fled underground and produced artificial soldiers called Nikkes. The story follows a Commander and his squad of Nikkes who hope to reclaim the surface.
The statue depicts the Roman goddess Nike, a figure that represents victory and is often associated with both Zeus and Athena. She is standing on the prow of a trireme, a Roman ship, with one foot as if she is landing upon the deck after descending from the sky.
190 BCE, the statue depicts the goddess Victory, or Nike, alighting on the prow of a warship. Although Winged Victory is widely believed to have been sculpted to commemorate a naval victory, neither the battle nor the sculptor has been determined. The Winged Victory of Samopthrace graces the Louvre in Paris.
Introduction: My name is Fr. Dewey Fisher, I am a powerful, open, faithful, combative, spotless, faithful, fair person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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