# Any reason against a tattoo of Athena? Update 18-May-2022: see the tattoo in post 58 **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 21, 2022, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-reason-against-a-tattoo-of-athena-update-18-may-2022-see-the-tattoo-in-post-58/959871 "2022-02-21T11:16:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2022, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-reason-against-a-tattoo-of-athena-update-18-may-2022-see-the-tattoo-in-post-58/959871/21 "2022-02-21T22:14:15Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Spear and magic helmet? Kill the Twojans. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2022, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-reason-against-a-tattoo-of-athena-update-18-may-2022-see-the-tattoo-in-post-58/959871/22 "2022-02-21T22:15:48Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > So a woman in a Greek dress with a helmet, spear and a shield with Medusa’s face on it. And the aegis — don’t forget that 🙂 There are entire books on the subject; I will just cut and paste from the _Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology:_ > [@](#): > > Athena was frequently represented in works of art; but those in which her figure reached the highest ideal of perfection were the three statues by Pheidias. The first was the celebrated colossal statue of the goddess, of gold and ivory, which was erected on the acropolis of Athens; the second was a still greater bronze statue, made out of the spoils taken by the Athenians in the battle of Marathon; the third was a small bronze statue called the beautiful or the Lemnian Athena, because it had been dedicated at Athens by the Lemnians. The first of these statues represented the goddess in a standing position, bearing in her hand a Nike four cubits in height. The shield stood by her feet; her robe came down to her feet, on her breast was the head of Medusa, in her right hand she bore a lance, and at her feet there lay a serpent. (Paus. i. 24. § 7, 28. § 2.) We still possess a great number of representations of Athena in statues, colossal busts, reliefs, coins, and in vase-paintings. > > Among the attributes which characterise the goddess in these works of art, we mention – 1. The helmet, which she usually wears on her head, but in a few instances carries in her hand. It is usually ornamented in the most beautiful manner with griffins, heads of rams, horses, and sphinxes. (Comp. Horn. _Il._ v. 743.) 2. The aegis. (_Dict. of Ant. s. v. Aegis._) 3. The round Argolic shield, in the centre of which is represented the head of Medusa. 4. Objects sacred to her, such as an olive branch, a serpent, an owl, a cock, and a lance. Her garment is usually the Spartan tunic without sleeves, and over it she wears a cloak, the peplus, or, though rarely, the chlamys. The general expression of her figure is thoughtfulness and earnestness; her face is rather oval than round, the hair is rich and generally combed backwards over the temples, and floats freely down behind. The whole figure is majestic, and rather strong built than slender: the hips are small and the shoulders broad, so that the whole somewhat resembles a male figure. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2022, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-reason-against-a-tattoo-of-athena-update-18-may-2022-see-the-tattoo-in-post-58/959871/23 "2022-02-21T22:24:50Z")
Maybe you can use this person as a model. [![](https://en.battlestarwikiclone.org/w/images/8/83/Athena.jpg) ](https://en.battlestarwikiclone.org/w/images/8/83/Athena.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2022, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-reason-against-a-tattoo-of-athena-update-18-may-2022-see-the-tattoo-in-post-58/959871/24 "2022-02-21T22:30:26Z")
I’ve been a big mythology fan since before I could read. I can’t think of any real negatives about Athena. She was vain. But who among the Olympians was not vain and proud? I don’t know of any modern group that has co opted her as a symbol. Paging @CalMeacham He wrote a book on gorgons. I think his input would be valuable here. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2022, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-reason-against-a-tattoo-of-athena-update-18-may-2022-see-the-tattoo-in-post-58/959871/25 "2022-02-21T23:51:28Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > Paging @CalMeacham He wrote a book on gorgons. I think his input would be valuable here. Gee, thanks for thinking of me. I’ve been away this weekend. There aren’t too many things against Athena, I admit She was the goddess who helped several heroes, including Perseus (even though both movie versions of _Clash of the Titans_ changed his guardian to Zeus). she also helped Jason (that’s one the movies got right), Hercules, and Odysseus. There are a couple of things that make her not-so-nice. She was said to have turned Arachne into a spider when she beat the goddess at a weaving contest. On the other hand, I have to note that this looks like pretty late myth. It’s in Ovid and Vergil, and Ovid had a reputation for making things up and adding to the myths. As far as I know, there are no ancient Greek sources for the story. On the other hand, she’s the one who was said to have struck the seer (and famously double-sexed) Teiresias blind when he saw her bathing, and that story goes back to Pherekydes in the 6th century BCE. She’s also supposed to have wounded Ornytos and his family, but he DID stab her in the thigh. And, again, it’s a late story. Overall, Athena would be an appropriate heroine. And she had lots of famous attributes – the helmet, the spear. The Aegis was supposed to be Zeus’ shield or cloak, but Athena is more often depicted with it in art. Her shield was the one that was supposed to bear the gorgon’s head, although in art that’s usually the shield of Achilles. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-reason-against-a-tattoo-of-athena-update-18-may-2022-see-the-tattoo-in-post-58/959871/26 "2022-02-22T01:34:05Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > What would a tattoo of Athena look like? [Like any of these, probably.](https://www.google.com/search?as_st=y&tbm=isch&hl=en&as_q=tattoos+of+Athena&as_epq=&as_oq=&as_eq=&imgar=&imgcolor=&imgtype=&cr=&as_sitesearch=&safe=images&as_filetype=&tbs=) ---
**Author:** ![PookahMacPhellimey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pookahmacphellimey/32/3175_2.png) [@PookahMacPhellimey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PookahMacPhellimey)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-reason-against-a-tattoo-of-athena-update-18-may-2022-see-the-tattoo-in-post-58/959871/27 "2022-02-22T08:02:25Z")
Thank you so much! And yes, I am aware of some of her - alleged - more spiteful traits. To me none of those are enough to put me off the tattoo. I actually like the Greek gods’ “human” characteristics. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-reason-against-a-tattoo-of-athena-update-18-may-2022-see-the-tattoo-in-post-58/959871/28 "2022-02-22T08:25:38Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > There aren’t too many things against Athena, I admit Well, she is a bit of a daddy’s girl. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-reason-against-a-tattoo-of-athena-update-18-may-2022-see-the-tattoo-in-post-58/959871/29 "2022-02-22T13:23:13Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Well, she is a bit of a daddy’s girl. She was always on his mind. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-reason-against-a-tattoo-of-athena-update-18-may-2022-see-the-tattoo-in-post-58/959871/30 "2022-02-22T17:05:47Z")
She could also be a real headache, though. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-reason-against-a-tattoo-of-athena-update-18-may-2022-see-the-tattoo-in-post-58/959871/31 "2022-02-23T21:03:53Z")
When designing your tattoo, you need to give much thought to one issue of vital, critical, fundamental, world-shattering importance: Her helmet: Athenian, or Corinthian? ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-reason-against-a-tattoo-of-athena-update-18-may-2022-see-the-tattoo-in-post-58/959871/32 "2022-02-23T21:33:32Z")
Also, the gorgon’s head: 1. Yea, or nay? 2. If yea, will it be on her shield, or on her breastplate? ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2022, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-reason-against-a-tattoo-of-athena-update-18-may-2022-see-the-tattoo-in-post-58/959871/33 "2022-02-24T02:12:09Z")
> [@mbh](#): > > Yea, or nay? Definitely yea. And I’ve seen her with the gorgoneion on BOTH breastplate and shield. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2022, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-reason-against-a-tattoo-of-athena-update-18-may-2022-see-the-tattoo-in-post-58/959871/34 "2022-02-24T07:10:32Z")
> [@mbh](#): > > Her helmet: Athenian, or Corinthian? I can’t seem to find anything about an Athenian-style helmet online. Did you mean the Attic helmet? Overview of Greek helmets: > **[Ancient Greek Helmets: 8 Types and their Characteristics](https://www.thecollector.com/ancient-greek-helmets-8-types-and-their-characteristics/)** > > During Classical Antiquity, helmets were an important part of a warrior’s panoply. Visually compelling, yet undeniably utilitarian these are the different types of Ancient Greek helmets found throughout the Mediterranean. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2022, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-reason-against-a-tattoo-of-athena-update-18-may-2022-see-the-tattoo-in-post-58/959871/35 "2022-02-24T14:55:29Z")
Statues of Athena invariably appear to be wearing what that article calls “Corinthian”, with no crest: > **[Athena](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athena)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > > > > > Athena\[b\] or Athene,\[c\] often given the epithet Pallas,\[d\] is an ancient Greek goddess associated with wisdom, warfare, and handicraft who was later syncretized with the Roman goddess Minerva. Athena was regarded as the patron and protectress of various cities across Greece, particularly the city of Athens, from which she most likely received her name. The Parthenon on the Acropolis of Athens is dedicated to her. Her major symbols include ow... ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2022, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-reason-against-a-tattoo-of-athena-update-18-may-2022-see-the-tattoo-in-post-58/959871/36 "2022-02-24T15:14:19Z")
OK, but in the image you yourself posted [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/33/Douris_cup_Jason_Vatican_16545.jpg) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/33/Douris_cup_Jason_Vatican_16545.jpg) she has a bitching helmet with a huge crest and griffin. And on this (centuries later) coin [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f6/Athena_shown_on_the_reverse_side_of_a_Pergamene_coin_minted_by_Attalus_I.jpg) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f6/Athena_shown_on_the_reverse_side_of_a_Pergamene_coin_minted_by_Attalus_I.jpg) she has something yet again different. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2022, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-reason-against-a-tattoo-of-athena-update-18-may-2022-see-the-tattoo-in-post-58/959871/37 "2022-02-24T15:30:20Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > she has something yet again different. This is the kind she’s usually depicted wearing. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2022, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-reason-against-a-tattoo-of-athena-update-18-may-2022-see-the-tattoo-in-post-58/959871/38 "2022-02-24T15:32:49Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > she has a bitching helmet with a huge crest and griffin. And on this (centuries later) coin Check out my link - that looks like an Attic helmet. On the coin, it could be a pushed-back Corinthian, or it could be a Pilos. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2022, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-reason-against-a-tattoo-of-athena-update-18-may-2022-see-the-tattoo-in-post-58/959871/39 "2022-02-24T16:17:31Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > > [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > > > What would a tattoo of Athena look like? > > [Like any of these, probably.](https://www.google.com/search?as_st=y&tbm=isch&hl=en&as_q=tattoos+of+Athena&as_epq=&as_oq=&as_eq=&imgar=&imgcolor=&imgtype=&cr=&as_sitesearch=&safe=images&as_filetype=&tbs=) Now THOSE look great! I was going to pop in to mention that almost every tattoo portraying a face looks a little “off” or amateurish. A real shame when someone gets ink of their infant kid, who ends up looking like Yoda got punched in the face. (I have a poker buddy who has a tattoo of his own face… okayyyy… we tell him that when his real face matches his tattoo, he’ll be officially “old”). But if you can find a shop that’ll do as well as those google-image _Athenae,_ go for it. ---
**Author:** ![PookahMacPhellimey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pookahmacphellimey/32/3175_2.png) [@PookahMacPhellimey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PookahMacPhellimey)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2022, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-reason-against-a-tattoo-of-athena-update-18-may-2022-see-the-tattoo-in-post-58/959871/40 "2022-02-24T16:53:50Z")
Actually, the style I want is completely different. Might not be for everyone, but I love this artist. Can I link to Instagram here? I will try. Here is one she did of Ulysses which I love: [Ulysses and the sirens.](https://www.instagram.com/p/CIDeW1IFEkt/) And good point about the helmet. Personally, I prefer the Attic style, but I would leave it up to the artist after making sure that any certain style wouldn’t be a completely absurd faux-pas. I feel the fact that the style I like isn’t very realistic gives me a little leeway. However, I wouldn’t want someone who knew bit more about it to say “that’s just silly”. Like all the people who have Irish themes tattoos with a four-leaved clover. 🤦🏽‍♀️ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-reason-against-a-tattoo-of-athena-update-18-may-2022-see-the-tattoo-in-post-58/959871.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-reason-against-a-tattoo-of-athena-update-18-may-2022-see-the-tattoo-in-post-58/959871.md?page=3)