1. Education

Discuss in my forum

What Are Athena's Symbols?

By , About.com Guide

Athena's Symbols - The Owl on Tetradrachm Coins

Athena's Symbols - The Owl on Tetradrachm Coins. Tetradrachmas from Athens showing the obverse with the head of Athena (525-430 B.C.) and the reverse of the owl (182-181 B.C.).

CC Flickr User Marshall Astor.
Athena's symbols, as shown commonly in depictions of the goddess, include:
  • her sacred animal, the well-known owl -- seen on Athenian coins,
  • the aegis cloak with the head of Medusa,
  • a round shield,
  • and a helmet -- carried in her hand if not on her head.
Symbols of Athena also include objects sacred to her, including
  • the cock,
  • a lance,
  • the olive, and
  • a serpent.

Source: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology via Theoi - Athena

©2013 About.com. All rights reserved.