Nike (mythology)
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| Nike | |
 Nike acroterion from the Temple of Artemis |
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| Goddess of victory | |
| Abode | Mount Olympus |
|---|---|
| Parents | Pallas and Styx |
| Siblings | Cratos, Bia, Zelus |
| Roman equivalent | Victoria |
| Greek deities series |
|
|---|---|
| Primordial deities | |
| Titans and Olympians | |
| Aquatic deities | |
| Chthonic deities | |
| Other deities | |
| Personified concepts | |
In Greek mythology, Nike (Greek: Νίκη , pronounced [níːkɛː], meaning Victory), was a goddess who personified triumph throughout the ages of the ancient Greek culture. She is known as the Winged Goddess of Victory. The Roman equivalent was Victoria. Depending upon the time of various myths, she was described as the daughter of Pallas (Titan) and Styx (Water), and the sister of Cratos (Strength), Bia (Force), and of Zelus (Rivalry). Nike and her siblings all became described as attendants of Zeus when his cult gained the position of the dominant deity of the Greek pantheon and the roles of older deities were changed in new myths. According to classical (later) myth, Styx brought them to Zeus when the god was assembling allies for the Titan War against the older deities. Nike assumed the role of the divine charioteer, a role in which she often is portrayed in Classical Greek art. Nike is seen with wings in most statues and paintings, to remind people that victory is fleeting. Most other winged deities in the Greek pantheon had shed their wings by Classical times. Nike is the Goddess of strength, speed, and victory. Nike was a very close acquaintance of Athena, Goddess of wisdom.[1] Nike is one of the most commonly portrayed figures on Greek coins.[2] Names which have sourced from the goddess Nike include Nicholas, Nick and Nicola.[citation needed]
[edit] In contemporary culture
- The well-known shoe and sports equipment company Nike, Inc. is named after the Greek goddess Nike.
- A figure of Nike with a vessel was the design of the first FIFA World Cup trophy known also as the Jules Rimet trophy.
- Since the 1928 Summer Olympics, the obverse face of every Olympic medal bears Nike's figure holding a palm frond in her left hand and a winner’s crown in her right.
- Project Nike is an anti aircraft missile system developed by the United States Of America.
- In Kamichama Karin, Karin's dead cat Shi-chan had the goddess Nike inside her, and when Shi-chan died, Nike took over her body.
[edit] References
- ^ Nike: Greek goddess of victory
- ^ Sayles, Wayne G. (2007). Ancient Coin Collecting II. Krause Publications. pp. 149. ISBN 9780896895164. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=iAnweepmTSMC&pg=PA149&dq=Nike+greek&client=firefox-a.
[edit] External links
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