One of the most important goddesses in Greek mythology, Athena is the Olympian goddess of wisdom, war, and crafts. She is a virgin deity and the patreon of the city of Athens. She is depicted in the arts as a majestic woman claded in full armor, including a golden helmet, a spear, and a shield. She is known for being Zeus' favorite child.
The story of her birth begins with Zeus' fear of becoming powerless. It was propheseid that a son of Zeus' first wife, Metis, would be more powerful than him and overthrow him. Fearful of this, Zeus swallowed Metis, but she was already pregnant with Athena. Afterward, Zeus developed a headache that was unbearable even for him. To relieve his headache, Hephaestus struck him in the head with an axe and Athena leapt out of Zeus' head fully grown and clad in armor.
Athena's sacred animal, the owl represents her source of wisdom and judgement. Given the owl's exceptional night vision, it symbolizes Athena's ability to "see" what others cannot.
The olive tree is a symbol of Athens. A competition between Athena and Poseidon was held for the claim of patreon of Athens. The competition required Athena and Poseidon to offer a gift to the people of Athens. Poseidon struck his trident and produced a salt spring, while Athena produced an olive tree. The people of Athens chose the olive tree for its versatility to produce fruit, oil, and wood.
The aegis is a shield made of goatskin usually depicting the head of the gorgon Medusa. The aegis belongs to Zeus, but he often lends it to Athena, his favorite daughter.
