Nike (mythology) facts for kids
In Greek mythology, Nike (Greek: Νίκη) is the goddess of victory. She was the daughter of Styx and Pallas and the sister of Cratos, Bia, and Zelus. Legend says that Nike and her brothers and sister were all friends of Zeus.
Nike could run quickly, had wings, and brought good luck. She is usually worshipped at the same time as Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and warfare.
Nike is often linked with sport. Nike, Inc. named their company after her. A picture of Nike also appears in all the medals for the Summer Olympics. She is a symbol of victory displayed outside Olympic stadiums in Olympia and in other places where the Olympics are held. She is believed to always be watching over sports stadiums, ready to choose the victor of the game. Her Roman name is Victoria.
The most famous statue of Nike is the Winged Victory of Samothrace. This is now in a museum in Paris, France, called the Louvre.
Interesting facts about Nike
- She is the daughter of Pallas, a Titan with a knack for warfare, and Styx, the goddess of the most famous river in the Underworld.
- Nike and her siblings were the first to stand with Zeus during the Titanomachy, the epic battle against the Titans.
- Some stories say Nike's wings were clipped to keep her close to Zeus, ensuring that victory wouldn’t stray too far from his reach.
- Nike is often shown in pictures riding in a chariot, the vehicle in victory parades in the time of the gods.
- Phil Knight, the co-founder of Nike, Inc., purposely named the company after the goddess to symbolize victory and strength.
- The constellation "Winged Victory" represents the goddess Nike.
Images for kids
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Nike. Attic white-ground lekythos, ca. 480 B.C.
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Zeus fighting Typhon.
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Marble statue of Nike found on Delos (550 B.C.).
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Pheidias's statue of Zeus at Olympia. Artistic rendering by the Quatremère de Quincy (1815).
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Temple of Athena Nike on the Acropolis in Athens, Greece.
See also
In Spanish: Nike (mitología) para niños
