Athena with owl

circa 460 b.C.
New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Athena was the beloved daughter of Zeus. Her mother was Metis, first wife of Zeus. Zeus after a prophecy learned that Metis would give birth to the child whom she would overthrow from Athena. Later, Zeus began to suffer from headaches and called Hephaestus to help him. Then Hephaestus struck Zeus’ head with a big hammer and Athena flew out armed, wearing a helmet and holding a shield. Seeing Zeus, Athena threw them at his feet, a sign of recognizing him as her supreme god and father. The symbols that represented it were: The helmet, armor and spear Gorgonio ,the owl the Snake  and the olive tree.