Nike – Winged Victory
Nike, Goddess of Victory, may be the daughter of Styx and the Titan Pallas. Styx dedicated her children to Zeus’ victory during the war between the Titans and the Olympians. Nike sometimes serves as Zeus’ charioteer.
Nike provides victory in all contexts, peaceful as well as violent. Soldiers invoke her aid as do athletes and anyone entering any kind of competition. Pie eating, poetry slam, spelling bee, you name it: if winning is involved, Nike may be petitioned for victory. She certainly brought success to the shoe manufacturer that bears her name.
ORIGIN:
Greece
MANIFESTATION:
A young winged woman
ICONOGRAPHY:
Nike is often depicted in the company of Zeus or Athena.
• A solid gold image of Nike once stood on the open right hand of the colossal statue of Athena in the Parthenon.
• The now-headless, armless Winged Victory of Samothrace, housed in the Louvre Museum, is among the most famous and frequently reproduced statues on Earth. It may have once served as an altar in the Samothrace temple complex.
• Since 1928, the image of Nike has graced Olympic medals.
ATTRIBUTES:
Palm branch, pomegranate, helmet
Spirit ally:
Athena and Nike are constant companions.
SEE ALSO:
- Athena
- Cabeiri
- Olympian Spirits
- Pallas
- Styx
- Titan
- Victoria
- Zeus
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses – Written by : Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.