
What does Tyche mean in Greek mythology?
When the ancient Greeks honoured her beneficial traits, they usually referred to her as Eutychia or Eutiykhia, goddess of prosperity, success and good fortune. Tyche was usually pictured with wings, a regal staff and a crown.
What is the significance of the mural crown of Tyche?
The mural crown's significance is that it identifies her as the goddess of the city, and in the case of Sparta her mural crown depicted a part of their foundation myth of their city. The mural crown is often used by archeologists and historians to identify a figure in art as Tyche.
What is Tyche's crown called?
In Greco-Roman and medieval art Tyche was depicted as wearing a mural crown, and carrying a cornucopia (horn of plenty), an emblematic gubernaculum (ship's rudder), and the wheel of fortune, or she may stand on the wheel, presiding over the entire circle of fate.
Who is Tyche in the Elder Scrolls?
Tyche was an ally of Jannath, Jergal, Mystryl, and Selûne. She was also a lover of Amaunator, Jergal, Lathander, and Targus. She was a rival of Kozah, Moander, and Shar. Tyche counted among her worshipers all who wished good luck, and those who, while not wishing good fortune, didn't desire misfortune either.

What is Tyche the goddess of?
Tyche, in Greek religion, the goddess of chance, with whom the Roman Fortuna was later identified; a capricious dispenser of good and ill fortune.
What is the power of Tyche?
Tyche possesses the standard powers of a goddess. Tychokinesis: As the Goddess of Luck, Fortune and Chance, Tyche has absolute control and divine authority over luck. If a person receives too much good luck, Nemesis will provide them with bad luck to balance it.
What does the name Tyche mean?
providence, fortuneTyche (pronounced tayh-kee) is derived from the Greek word for “providence, fortune” and the Roman fortuna. It also refers to the ancient Greek goddess of spirit and fortune—a tutelary deity that oversees the destiny of a city.
Is there a Greek god of luck?
Tyche (/ˈtaɪki/; Ancient Greek: Τύχη Túkhē, 'Luck', Ancient Greek: [tý. kʰɛː], Modern Greek: [ˈti. çi]; Roman equivalent: Fortuna) was the presiding tutelary deity who governed the fortune and prosperity of a city, its destiny.
Which god is known for luck?
Lakshmi, also spelled Lakṣmī, also called Shri, Hindu goddess of wealth and good fortune.
What is Tyche's personality?
Personality. Tyche is a very nice young lady, who can sometimes be greedy. She likes giving mortals fortune and luck.
What does Ayana stand for?
Approved workmen are not ashamedWhat is AWANA? Awana is an international, nondenominational, Bible-centered youth organization in providing weekday clubs and programs for 3 year olds through 6th grade. The acronym Awana comes from the first letters of the phrase “Approved workmen are not ashamed” (II Timothy 2:15).
What does Ayana mean in Japanese?
colorful, greensAyana (あやな, アヤナ) is a feminine Japanese given name which can be written using different kanji with different meanings: 彩菜, "colorful, greens" 彩那, "colorful, what" 彩名, "colorful, name"
What name means lucky in Greek?
Syntyche: Syntyche is an ancient Greek name, meaning 'fate or fortunate' mentioned in Paul's epistle in the New Testament.
Is Tyche good goddess?
In the Greek pantheon Tyche was the goddess of fortune and chance, and whilst now more commonly associated with good fortune, originally Tyche was the bringer of both good and bad fortune. In the Roman pantheon, the equivalent of Tyche was Fortuna, with the roles being well matched.
Who is the lazy Greek god?
AergiaIn Greek mythology, Aergia (/eɪˈɜrdʒə/; Ancient Greek: Ἀεργία, 'inactivity') is the personification of sloth, idleness, indolence and laziness.
Who is the 3 most powerful Greek god?
The Big Three are the three most powerful gods among the Olympians - Zeus, Poseidon and Hades, the three sons of Kronos and Rhea.
What powers would a child of Tyche have?
Children of Tyche have the power of tychokinesis, or the ability to control luck itself. Children of Tyche have the ability to summon a Cornucopia for a variety of purposes. Children of Tyche tend to be very lucky indeed. Children of Tyche tend to love games of chance.
How does Tyche help?
As the goddess of fortune, Tyche's role in Greek mythology was to bring good and bad fortune to mortals. If someone was successful without making any effort to work hard for it, the people believed that the person had been blessed by Tyche at birth to have such undeserved success.
What is the myth of Tyche?
In the Greek pantheon Tyche was the goddess of fortune and chance, and whilst now more commonly associated with good fortune, originally Tyche was the bringer of both good and bad fortune. In the Roman pantheon, the equivalent of Tyche was Fortuna, with the roles being well matched.
Who is the Greek god of money?
PlutusPlutus, in Greek religion, god of abundance or wealth, a personification of ploutos (Greek: “riches”). According to Hesiod, Plutus was born in Crete, the son of the goddess of fruitfulness, Demeter, and the Cretan Iasion.
What is the role of Tyche in Greek mythology?
As the goddess of fortune, Tyche’s role in Greek mythology was to bring good and bad fortune to mortals. If someone was successful without making any effort to work hard for it, the people believed that the person had been blessed by Tyche at birth to have such undeserved success.
What does the ball on Tyche represent?
Sometimes, Tyche is portrayed standing on a ball which represented the unsteadiness of one’s fortune since both the ball and one’s fortune are capable of rolling about in any direction. The ball also symbolizes the wheel of fortune, suggesting that the goddess presided over the circle of fate. Certain sculptures of Tyche and certain works ...
Who Was Tyche?
Tyche’s parentage differs according to various sources but she was most commonly known as one of the 3000 Oceanids, the sea nymphs, who were the daughters of the Titans Tethys and Oceanus.
What was the name of the goddess that was worshipped as the guardian of the good fortune of cities?
Tyche ’s cult was widespread throughout Greece and Rome and she was mostly worshipped as the guardian spirit of the good fortune of cities.
Why did Tyche wear a blindfold?
She disseminated fortune among mankind and the blindfold was to ensure impartiality.
What is the worship of Tyche?
Worship and Cult of Tyche. In Brief. Tyche was a goddess in Greek mythology who presided over the fortune and prosperity of cities, as well as their destinies. She was also the goddess of providence, chance and fate. Due to this, the ancient Greeks believed that she caused unexpected events, both good and evil.
Why did Tyche wake him up?
In another tale, a traveler had fallen asleep near a well and Tyche woke him up because she didn’t want him to fall into the well and blame her for his misfortune.
Why did the Greeks think Tyche was good?
The ancient Greeks thought she was the reason for unexpected events in their lives, good and evil. For example, if someone had much success in life without having to try hard, people said that Tyche blessed him at birth. When someone worked hard but still had bad luck, they thought this goddess was responsible.
Who Were Tyche’s Parents?
According to Hesiod, a Greek poet, she was the daughter of Oceanus and Tethys while others thought that Zeus was her father. People from various Greek regions worshiped Tyche, but she was especially popular in Athens. Athenians believed that this goddess favored their city. Some of her other famous sites of worship included temples at Argos and Thebes.
What does it mean when Tyche is balancing on a ball?
When Tyche was balancing on a ball, it symbolized unstable fortune that could come and go, just like a ball might roll in any direction.
What is the goddess of good fortune?
When the ancient Greeks honored her beneficial traits, they usually referred to her as Eutychia or Eutiykhia, goddess of prosperity, success and good fortune. Tyche was usually pictured with wings, a regal staff and a crown. However, many images also showed her with other items. These objects related to various traits.
What is the goddess of fortune?
Description of Tyche - Fortuna. Tyche, also known as Fortuna, was the goddess of fortune. Fortuna or Tyche were seen as the personification of luck in Roman religion and Greek mythology. She may either bring good or bad luck.
What is the Greek mythology?
General Greek Mythology description. Greek mythology remains one of the most popular and epic mythologies in existence today. For centuries, Greek tales and tragedies have enchanted the world and this continues to be the case. Greek mythologies revolve around gods, heroes, and rituals that the ancient Greek followed and most ...
What does the tyche symbol represent?
Often times she held a regal staff, a depiction of her power over the wheel of fortune. Her wings symbolically represent the notion that fortune is an ever moving phenomenon that could land on the doorstep of any of her worshipers.
What did the goddess Tyche do?
It was believed that the goddess Tyche had the power to reward people with extreme amounts of wealth and riches beyond comprehension.
Why was Tyche extremely important during the Hellenistic Period?
They reasoned that Tyche was the only possible reason for someone having so much wealth without putting in the effort. This belief was also held by Polybius, the famous Greek historian of the Greco-Roman era.
What is the Greek goddess of good luck?
On so many occasions, the Greek goddess Tyche was associated with Nemesis, the goddess of retribution or justice, and Agathos Daimon, the noble spirit of good luck, wisdom and health. Tyche has also been associated with Greek deities like Astraea (the virgin goddess of justice, precision and purity) and Demeter (the goddess of agriculture and the harvest).
Why was Tyche important to the Hellenistic period?
Tyche’s importance in the Hellenistic period was pronounced due to all the wanton and indiscriminate violence that took place. It was absolutely crucial that the inhabitants of that era had someone like Tyche who could help them navigate through that chaos unscathed.
What is Eutychia's name?
Whenever she was perceived as a kind goddess, she was given the name Eutiykhia or Eutychia, the “Patroness of Prosperity”.
Which city in Greece was the most famous for Tyche?
Of all the places in ancient Greece, the city-state of Athens was perhaps the most famous of worship places for Tyche. The city’s inhabitants held the belief that the goddess of fortune and prosperity had a particular liking for them. Athenians attributed their successes and battle wins to the goddess Tyche.
Who was Tyche?
Tyche was the goddess of fortune and prosperity of a city in Greek mythology. She was the daughter of Aphrodite and either Zeus or Hermes, although some sources referred to her as an Oceanid, a daughter of the Titans Oceanus and Tethys.
What is the name of the goddess that was associated with the statue of Tyche?
She was often depicted in statues wearing a mural crown, which is a crown having the shapes of city walls. She was linked to Nemesis, goddess of retribution, and Agathos Daimon (the good spirit). Tyche appeared on many coins of the Hellenistic period (after the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC). See Also: Zeus, Hermes, Aphrodite, Oceanus, ...
Who were Tyche's parents?
The parents of Tyche were Zeus and Aphrodite.
Who is the goddess of fortune?
Tyche was the goddess of fortune and prosperity of a city in Greek mythology. She was the daughter of Aphrodite and either Zeus or Hermes, although some sources referred to her as an Oceanid, a daughter of the Titans Oceanus and Tethys. She was often depicted in statues wearing a mural crown, which is a crown having the shapes of city walls.
What kind of human is Tyche?
However, other accounts described her as a rather small, slim, yet agile elfin human.
How tall is Tyche?
When appearing to herald misfortune, Tyche preferred to appear as a 12 feet (3.7 meters) tall female giant, her skin a purplish hue brought on by hysteria and wreathed in swirling, snow-white hair, and her features twisted into a sneer of madness while laughing maniacally. Sometimes she simply manifested as a grotesque shadow where no shadows should be, accompanied by faint, far-off, maniacal laughter.
What plane did Tyche share with the rest of the gods?
Tyche shared the plane of Olympus with the rest of the gods of the Olympian pantheon. Her realm was a grand villa with a gambling hall.
What could Tyche unleash?
Along with all the standard powers and godly senses of a deity of her rank, Tyche could, with a single word, unleash misfortune —accidents, an inability to successfully strike enemies, manic behavior, madness, or a berserk rage—or great fortune—the inability to miss one's enemies in battle, elation and strength, and great blessings.
Why did the clerics of Tyche travel across Faerûn?
The clerics of Tyche traveled across Faerûn urging folk to do the same and pursue their dreams instead of just laying around. They helped those with the same mindset, although a few of her clerics were not above manipulating people for their own means.
How did people appease Tyche?
People that revered Tyche often tried to appeased her by offering something valuable to her through holding it in flames until it was at least partially consumed, calling out her name and praising to her on their knees after that. They also invited her to all kind of celebrations, ceremonies, and parties to avoid her rage and misfortune.
What was Tyche's personality?
Personality. Tyche was headstrong and willful, mercurial, and always believing her way was the best way. She was playful, neither malicious or vengeful unless provoked. She liked good jokes and was known for occasionally playing practical jokes on the more stern and straight-minded deities.
What is the meaning of Tyche?
TYCHE (Tuchê). 1. The personification of chance or luck, the Fortuna of the Romans, is called by Pindar ( Ol. xii. init.) a daughter of Zeus the Liberator. She was represented with different attributes. With a rudder, she was conceived as the divinity guiding and conducting the affairs of the world, and in this respect she is called one of the Moerae (Paus. vii. 26. § 3; Pind. Fragm. 75, ed. Heyne); with a ball she represents the varying unsteadiness of fortune; with Plutos or the horn of Amalthea, she was the symbol of the plentiful gifts of fortune. (Artemid. ii. 37.) Tyche was worshipped at Pharae in Messenia (Paus. iv. 30. § 2); at Smyrna, where her statue, the work of Bupalus, held with one hand a globe on her head, and in the other carried the horn of Amalthea (iv. 30. § 4); in the arx of Sicyon (ii. 7. § 5); at Aegeira in Achaia, where she was represented with the horn of Amalthea and a winged Eros by her side (vii. 26. § 3; comp. Plut. De Fort. Rom. 4; Arnob. adv. Gent. vi. 25); in Elis (Paus. vi. 25. § 4); at Thebes (ix. 16. § 1); at Lebadeia, together with agathos daimôn (ix. 39. § 4); at Olympia (v. 15. § 4), and Athens. (Aelian, V. H. ix. 39; comp. Fortuna.) 2. A nymph, one of the playmates of Persephone. (Hom. Hymn. in Cer. 421.) 3. One of the daughters of Oceanus. (Hes. Theog. 360.)
What is the symbol of Tykhe?
Tykhe was depicted with a variety of attributes--holding a rudder, she was conceived as the divinity guiding and conducting the affairs of the world, and in this respect she was called one of the Moirai (Moirae, Fates); with a ball she represented the varying unsteadiness of fortune, unsteady and capable of rolling in any direction; with Ploutos (Plutus) or the cornucopia, she was the symbol of the plentiful gifts of fortune.
How many versions of the Traveler and Tykhe are there?
There are two extant versions of this fable, one in Greek and the other Latin. In the latter the names Fortuna and Tellus are used in place of Tykhe and Ge.] Aesop, Fables 261 (from Chambry & Babrius, Fabulae Aesopeae 49) : "The Traveler and Tykhe (Tyche, Fortune).
What does the voice of Tykhe mean in Aesop?
While he slept, he seemed to hear the voice of Tykhe (Tyche), the goddess of fortune, as she stood there beside him. ‘Hey you,’ the goddess said, ‘you'd better wake up!
What is the meaning of the Ode 12. 1?
Conway) (Greek lyric C5th B.C.) :#N#"Daughter of Zeus Eleutherios (the Liberator), Tykhe (Tyche, Fortune) our saviour goddess, I pray your guardian care for Himera, and prosper her city's strength. For your hand steers the ships of ocean on their flying course, and rules on land the march of savage wars, and the assemblies of wise counsellors."
What is the meaning of the Homeric Hymn 2 to Demeter 5 F?
Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C7th or 6th B.C.) :#N#"She [Persephone] was playing with the deep-bosomed daughters of Okeanos (Oceanus) and gathering flowers over a soft meadow, roses and crocuses and beautiful violets, irises also and hyacinths and the narcissus."
Where was Tyche worshipped?
Tyche was worshipped at Pharae in Messenia (Paus. iv. 30. § 2); at Smyrna, where her statue, the work of Bupalus, held with one hand a globe on her head, and in the other carried the horn of Amalthea (iv. 30.

Who Was Tyche?
Depictions and Symbolism
- The goddess of fortune was typically depicted with several symbols that are closely associated with her. 1. Tyche is often pictured as a beautiful young maiden with wings, wearing a mural crown and holding on to a rudder. This image of her became famous as the deity who guided and conducted the world’s affairs. 2. Sometimes, Tyche is portrayed stan...
Tyche’s Role as The Goddess of Fortune
- As the goddess of fortune, Tyche’s role in Greek mythology was to bring good and bad fortune to mortals. If someone was successful without making any effort to work hard for it, the people believed that the person had been blessed by Tyche at birth to have such undeserved success. If someone was struggling with bad luck even while working hard to succeed, Tyche was often hel…
Tyche as mentioned in Aesop’s Fables
- Tyche has been mentioned a number of times in Aesop’s Fables. One story speaks about a man who was slow to appreciate his good fortune but blamed Tyche for all bad fortune that came his way. In another tale, a traveler had fallen asleep near a well and Tyche woke him up because she didn’t want him to fall into the well and blame her for his misfortune. In yet another tale ‘Fortune …
Worship and Cult of Tyche
- Tyche’s cult was widespread throughout Greece and Rome and she was mostly worshipped as the guardian spirit of the good fortune of cities. She was specially venerated as Tyche Protogeneia in Itanos, Crete and in Alexandria stands a Greek temple known as the Tychaeon, dedicated to the goddess. According to the Greco-Syrian teacher Libanius, this temple is one of …
in Brief
- Over many centuries, Tyche has remained a figure of intrigue and great interest. Not much is clear about her origin and who she was and although she remains one of the lesser known deities of the Greek pantheon, it’s said that she’s always invoked every time someone bids someone else ‘Good luck!’.
Who Was Tyche?
Etymology
- The meaning behind the name Tyche is very simple. It was borrowed from the ancient Greek word ‘Túkhē,’ meaning ‘fortune.’ Thus, her name literally means ‘luck’ or ‘fortune’ in the singular form Tyche. The plural form of Tyche, which is used to refer to her different iconic forms as a city guardian, is Tychai.
Origins of Tyche
- As mentioned before, Tyche rose to importance during the Hellenistic period, especially in Athens. But she never did become one of the central Greek gods and has remained a largely unknown figure to modern audiences. While certain cities venerated and revered Tyche and many depictions of her have survived even today, there is not much information of where she came fro…
Iconography and Symbolism
- One of the most well-known and popular representations of Tyche is the goddess as a beautiful young woman with wings on her back and a mural crown on her head. The mural crown was a headpiece that represented city walls or towers or fortresses, thus cementing Tyche’s position as a guardian or city deity. Tyche was also depicted as standing on a bal...
Tyche’s Association with Other Gods and Goddesses
- Tyche has very interesting associations with many other deities, whether they be Greek gods and goddesses or gods and goddesses from other religions and cultures. While Tyche may not actually appear in any myths or legends of her own, her presence in Greek mythology is hardly non-existent. Her many images and icons, which are as varied from one another as can be, giv…
The Worship of Tyche
- As a city goddess, Tyche was venerated in many places in Greece and Rome. As the personification of a city and its fortunes, Tyche had many forms and all of them needed to be kept happy for the prosperity of the cities in question. In Athens, a goddess called Agathe Tyche was worshiped alongside all the other Greek gods. There were also temples to Tyche in Corinth and …
Ancient Greek Depictions of Tyche
- Despite the lack of myths surrounding Tyche, she actually appears in a lot of different kinds of Greek art and literature. Even when she remained unnamed, the specter of Tyche lingered in the Hellenistic romances where the wheel of fortune controlled the plotlines of stories like Daphnis and Chloe, a novel written by Longus during the Roman Empire.
The Tychai of The Hellenistic and Roman Periods
- There were certain specific iconic versions of Tyche in different cities during the Hellenistic Period and the Roman Period. The greatest cities had their own Tychai, a different version of the original goddess. The most important ones were the Tychai of Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, and Antioch. The Tyche of Rome, also known as Fortuna, was shown in military dress while the Tyc…
Who Were Tyche’s Parents?
Tyche’s Appearance & Traits
- When the ancient Greeks honoured her beneficial traits, they usually referred to her as Eutychia or Eutiykhia, goddess of prosperity, success and good fortune. Tyche was usually pictured with wings, a regal staff and a crown. However, many images also showed her with other items. These objects related to various traits. For example, when she was pi...
Link/Cite This Page
- If you use any of the content on this page in your own work, please use the code below to cite this page as the source of the content. Link will appear as Tyche: https://greekgodsandgoddesses.net- Greek Gods & Goddesses, September 13, 2018