Also called Victoria (Roman).
Their story
Nike is the daughter of the Titan Pallas and Styx, and sister of Zelos, Kratos and Bia, rivalry, strength and force. When Styx brought her children first to help Zeus against the Titans, he honoured them by letting them always dwell beside him. Pheidias's great statue of Zeus at Olympia held a Nike in its hand, and the little temple of Athena Nike stands on the Athenian Acropolis.
Best times to give to them
- The Panathenaia, where Athena Nike was honoured
- Before an exam, match or performance
- After a success, in thanks
What they like being given
- A laurel or olive wreath
- Fresh flowers
- A ribbon
- Honey cakes
How to honour them
- Offer thanks after a victory before celebrating.
- Ask for victory that is fairly won.
- Keep a small winged figure or image near your work.
How they can help you
- Competitions and exams
- Seeing a project through
- Gracious winning
Symbols
- wings
- wreath
- palm branch
- ribbon
Sources
- Hesiod, Theogony 383-403
- Pausanias, Description of Greece 5.11.1
More Greek goddesses
- Hera Queen of heaven and guardian of marriage
- Athena Grey-eyed goddess of wisdom and craft
- Artemis Lady of wild things and the hunt
- Aphrodite Foam-born goddess of love and beauty
- Hestia Goddess of the hearth and the home fire
- Demeter Mother of the grain and the harvest
- Persephone Queen of the underworld and the returning spring
- Hecate Keeper of crossroads and keys