Athena, a goddess of wisdom and warfare and the patron goddess of Athens, was one of the most popular deities in the Greek pantheon. The Olympian goddess was frequently represented and associated with symbols drawn from her complex mythology. From the wise little owl to the terrifying Gorgoneion head of Medusa, Athenas symbols reveal much about her mythology and her importance in Greek religion.Symbols of Athena: The OwlStatue showing detail of owls on Athenas Corinthian helmet, Greece, c. 4th century BCE. Source: Wikimedia CommonsPerhaps one of the most enduring symbols associated with Athena is the owl. It is unclear exactly where this connection originated, but a popular theory is that Athena has her origins in Minoan culture. In the early 20th century, Martin Persson Nilsson and David Kinsley suggested that Athenas roots go back to a Minoan palace goddess associated with birds. Meanwhile, Lithuanian archaeologist Marija Gimbutas suggested that Athena is descended from a European bird and snake goddess.It is also suggested that Athena may have actually been an owl, or just a bird in general, before shedding her avian form. In classical artwork, she was sometimes depicted with feathery wings.Silver coin featuring the owl of Athena, Athens, c. 6th/5th century BCE. Source: Cleveland Museum of ArtWhile Athena is also associated with snakes, her association specifically with owls has generated other theories. Professor William Geoffrey Arnott suggested that the link was due to the high number of owls in Attica where Athens is situated.Whatever the reason for the association, Athena was and has always been associated with the little owl (Athene noctua), a small species of owl common to the temperate zones of Europe and Asia from Portugal to the Korean Peninsula.The little owl (Athene noctua). Source: Wikimedia CommonsThe little owl was adopted as the symbol of Athens to show the citys loyalty to its patron goddess. They often included owl imagery on coins, works of art, banners, and shields.As it does now, the owl is believed to have symbolized knowledge, wisdom, shrewdness, and insight, common motifs throughout Athenian society, and the perception the Athenians wanted to present.Athena and Her Symbols of WarAthena attacks the giant Enceladus, reproductive print, c. 1844-1861. Source: New York Public Library.As both a warrior goddess and a goddess of wisdom, Athena became associated with strategic warfare rather than the brute-force side of war represented by the god Ares. She was often depicted with a shield, a spear, and wearing a helm. Athena was thought of as a warrior goddess who accompanied soldiers and heroes in their combative pursuits.According to Greek mythology, Athena was born in full armor, ready for battle. She was the daughter of Zeus and Metis, an Oceanid, one of the 3,000 sea nymphs born to the Titans Oceanus and Tethys. Associated with wisdom and skill, Metis was an advisor and the first wife of Zeus.Zeus, fearful that his children born of Metis would become more powerful than their father, turned Metis into a fly and swallowed her whole while she was pregnant. Metis and her unborn daughter lived in Zeus mind, and gave him such a terrible headache that he asked Hermes for aid. Hermes instructed Hephaestus to split Zeus skull open to ease the pain. When Hephaestus struck, Athena sprang from Zeus skull, fully grown, wearing armor, and wielding a spear. Thus depicted, Athena was symbolically linked to resistance and victory, and not just physically. Born out of the mind of her father, her warrior element was linked to intellect.The symbolic effect of war and the philosophy behind it were part of ancient and classical Greek culture. While Ares symbolized brute force and bloodlust, Athena was symbolically linked to the intellectual and civilized aspects of war. Restraint, pragmatism, and good counsel were considered hallmarks of this aspect.Whatever aspect of war and combat she represented, however, Athena was often depicted with the gear of a soldier or a warrior, guiding combatants to victory, and providing protective aid.The Olive TreeThe sacred olive tree beside the temple of Erechtheion (Temple of Athena) atop the Acropolis of Athens. Source: Wikimedia CommonsIn Greek mythology, when Athens was founded, Poseidon and Athena disputed who would be the citys patron god. They decided that whoever could provide the most useful gift would have the honor. Poseidon struck the ground of the acropolis with his trident, and a spring burst forth from the ground. The people of Athens were elated until they tasted the water. It was as salty as the ocean and completely useless.Athena then pierced a boulder with her spear, splitting it in two. From the rock sprouted a beautiful tree with silvery leaves. This was the first olive tree, and the Athenians found many uses for it. The olives were consumed, along with olive oil, which was also used for illumination and perfume amongst many other things. The wood was carved into votive statues.To add insult to Poseidons injury, the olive tree proved to be hardy and resistant to brackish water. Thus, Athena became the patron goddess of Athens and has been associated with the olive tree ever since.Today, there is an olive tree atop the Acropolis that is associated with the Athenian myth. It is said that this tree stands in roughly the same spot where the first olive tree, revered by the Athenians thousands of years ago, stood.The Head of MedusaModern statue of Athena with a shield featuring the head of Medusa at the Museumsberg, Flensburg. Source: Wikimedia CommonsOne of the many symbols associated with Athena is the head of the gorgon, Medusa. The hero Perseus, in his quest to kill Medusa, turned to his half-sister, Athena, for aid. The goddess gave Perseus a finely polished shield that became instrumental in Medusas defeat. The gorgons powerful attribute was that she could turn anyone who looked upon her to stone. Athenas shield gave Perseus the opportunity to fight Medusa by looking at her reflection in the polished metal.Victorious, Perseus presented Medusas severed head to Athena, who attached it to her aegis. It is unclear what exactly an aegis is. It has been variously described as a breastplate, a cloak, or a shield. A shield is considered the most likely suggestion. Regardless, the aegis is a symbol of defense, and upon Athenas aegis is a symbol of Athenas power of victory and the destruction of her enemies.SnakesA statue of Athena with a snake, by Alessandro Algardi, c. 17th century. Source: Boncompagni Ludovisi CollectionMany depictions of Athena also include her accompanied by a snake, and her association with the serpent can be interpreted in many ways. One of the most common interpretations is that snakes symbolize rejuvenation and rebirth because they shed their skin and are symbolically reborn.The snake is a versatile symbol that can represent many things associated with Athena. Snakes were symbolic of cunning, an attribute represented in Athena. They also represented fertility in the earth, and because of their fangs and venom, were representative of danger, and were powerful symbols of protection.Other SymbolsMyrtle flowers. Source: Wikimedia CommonsMany other minor symbols have often appeared in depictions of Athena. Roosters, doves, and eagles have been associated with the goddess, but none of these birds are as ubiquitous as the little owl. Athena is also associated with the flute. In myth, it is said that she invented the flute but cast it aside because when played, it made her face look ugly.In addition to being the goddess of war and wisdom, Athena was also seen as a fierce protector of the earth and nature. As such, plants aside from the olive tree were associated with her. The acanthus, with its bristle-like blooms, was often seen as a symbol of protection, and thus, it became associated with Athena. Another plant is myrtle, which, above all things, is symbolic of love.Despite the association of Athena with martial prowess, and military matters, Athena was also the goddess of handicrafts, especially associated with weaving. In Greek mythology, according to the Roman poet Ovid, a woman named Arachne boasted that her weaving skill surpassed that of the goddess. Athena responded by challenging her to a weaving contest. When Athena could not find any fault with her opponents finished product, she became enraged and beat Arachne with a shuttle. Arachne hanged herself out of shame, but Athena took pity on her and transformed her into a spider so she could weave webs for all time.Colors of AthenaDetail from a statue of Athena in a Corinthian helmet, Greek, c. 180-190 CE. Source: Liebieghaus, FrankfurtApart from symbols that are depicted as tangible objects, there were also colors associated with Athena. She was often represented with yellow and gold, a common motif among the Greek gods. For the ancient Greeks, these colors symbolized the divine and the powerful brightness of the sun. Athena was also depicted with the color blue, which was associated with wisdom, purity, and divinity.Athena is one of the pre-eminent deities in Greek antiquity. Her symbolic significance and the objects associated with her were powerful symbols that formed part of her character and had a huge impact on the beliefs of the Greeks millennia ago.These symbols have not been forgotten. Just as she was in ancient times, Athena is a popular subject for artists, who use the same symbols and motifs to express the goddesss character and nature.