Nike (mythology) Facts for Kids

The Winged Victory of Samothrace statue in the Louvre museum in Paris.

In Greek mythology, Nike (which means "victory" in Greek) is the goddess of victory. She was the daughter of the Titan named Pallas and the goddess Styx. Nike had three siblings: Cratos, Bia, and Zelus. All of them were close friends with the powerful god Zeus.

Nike was known for being very fast and having wings. She was also believed to bring good luck to people. Often, she was honored alongside Athena, who was the Greek goddess of wisdom and war.

Nike and Sports
Famous Statue of Nike
Interesting Facts About Nike
Images for kids
See also

Nike and Sports

Nike is strongly connected to sport and athletic success. The famous company Nike, Inc. was named after her. This shows how much she represents winning and strength.

You can also see Nike on all the medals given out at the Summer Olympics. She is a symbol of victory displayed outside Olympic stadiums in Olympia and other places where the Olympics are held. People believed she watched over sports games, ready to choose the winner. In Roman mythology, her name is Victoria.

Famous Statue of Nike

The most well-known statue of Nike is called the Winged Victory of Samothrace. This amazing statue is now in a museum in Paris, France. The museum is called the Louvre.

Interesting Facts About Nike

Nike's mother was Styx, the goddess of the most famous river in the Underworld. Her father, Pallas, was a Titan who was skilled in warfare.
Nike and her siblings were the first to support Zeus during the Titanomachy. This was a huge battle against the Titans.
Some old stories say that Nike's wings were clipped. This was done to keep her close to Zeus. It made sure that victory would always be near him.
Nike is often shown riding in a chariot. This was a special vehicle used in victory parades during the time of the gods.
Phil Knight, who helped start Nike, Inc., chose the goddess's name on purpose. He wanted it to represent victory and strength for the company.
There is even a constellation in the sky called "Winged Victory." It represents the goddess Nike.