Athena is a badass. Emma would like to just leave it there but recognises further clarification maybe in order

Athena’s symbolism extends beyond physical objects. She represents strategic thinking, civic responsibility, and the balance of intellect and strength. Her birth from Zeus’s head, fully grown and armored, symbolizes the emergence of wisdom and reason from divine intellect

In art and literature, she is often portrayed as a protector of heroes, a patron of crafts and a symbol of justice and rationality.
In modern interpretations, Athena has become an emblem of freedom, democracy, and classical learning, reflecting her enduring influence on Western culture and psychology. Her symbols collectively convey the integration of wisdom, skill, and moral authority, making her one of the most psychologically and culturally complex figures in mythology

In her Gorgoneion iteration, as per this intaglio, the head of a gorgon, often on her shield or armor, in this piece on her helmet, symbolizes the power to ward off evil and the triumph of strategy over brute force. It reflects her protective and fearsome aspects in both war and civic defense