Nike

Homework: Find an example of a Greek god/goddess in contemporary global/local living.

My example is the Greek Goddess Nike, who inspired a company that made athletic shoes, apparel and sports equipment that is Nike, Inc. Wiki also tells us that this company is the largest sportswear supplier in the world.

In Greek mythology, Nike signified and personified triumph and victory. She was the daughter of Pallas (warrior) and Styx (hatred) and she and her sisters were, of course, attendants of Zeus. Styx, their father, brought them to Zeus when the latter was forming a group of allies for the coming Titan war and Zeus made Nike his personal charioteer.

The connection between the Greek goddess and the athletic shoe was forged probably not just because she symbolized victory for the Greeks (one reason why she is valuable and was usually not depicted with wings in public statues - she will not fly away and leave the city and victory will be theirs) but because of her depiction as someone untying a sandal (Nike Slancio). Of course, Nike symbolized not just victory but she was also capable of running and flying at great speeds.

Of course, I still find the signification weird - why for instance is the symbol of war victory a girl (after all, only men go to war and the god of war is, well, a god - Ares). Why associate a Greek goddess with a product that, I believe, first targeted male consumers? Is there some sort of subtle patriarchy in here?

Still, if what Wiki says is true, then maybe this symbol is one of the keys to the success of Nike, Inc. - the leading manufacturer of athletic goods.