In the culture of Ancient Greece, the laurel was considered the personification of victory and peace and was dedicated to two deities associated with art in one way or another - Apollo and Dionysus. That is why the winners of competitions among musicians, poets and playwrights were crowned with wreaths woven from laurel branches.
According to the myth, the golden-haired Apollo once laughed at Eros, considering the bow and arrows of the eternal infant to be just a toy. The vindictive Eros decided to take revenge on Apollo. Seizing the moment, he shot an arrow into the heart of God, which aroused in him love for the beautiful nymph Daphne. At the same time, another arrow was fired into Daphne's heart, causing disgust.
Seeing his beloved in the forest, Apollo rushed after her in pursuit, not making out the road. Young Daphne turned to the gods, begging to protect her from her pursuer. Then the gods turned the girl into a laurel tree. The inconsolable Apollo made laurel his sacred plant. Whole laurel groves began to grow on the top of Parnassus, where 9 Muses lived - the constant companions of Apollo. Laurel trees were also surrounded by numerous temples of Apollo.
Laurel branches were woven into garlands and wreaths for the festivities in honor of Apollo. Traditionally, the laurel was attributed to the healing power, as well as the power to get rid of spiritual defilement. It was believed that bay leaves cleanse a person from blood spilled by him. Apollo himself purified himself with them after he killed the dragon Python. The goddess of victory, Nika, was usually depicted with a laurel wreath, which she awarded to the winner. During the Hellenistic era, the laurel branch or laurel wreath became an emblem of glory.
In ancient Rome, laurel branches and wreaths became the highest signs of military valor and the glory of the emperor. After another victory, the warriors wrapped laurel branches around their weapons and folded them at the foot of the statue of Jupiter. Thus, in Rome, the laurel turned into a sacred plant not only of Apollo, but also of the supreme god himself - Jupiter. Laurel branches and wreaths were often depicted on coins. The first Roman emperors, including the great Caesar, wore laurel wreaths in place of the crown.
According to the tradition that came from Greece, laurel wreaths were awarded to poets and orators famous for their skill. In memory of Daphne, the laurel was also considered a symbol of purity and was dedicated to the virgin priestesses of the goddess Vesta - the Vestals.
In the first centuries of Christianity, evergreen laurel leaves began to be considered a symbol of new life. According to one of the Old Testament legends, the flood ended at the moment when the dove brought Noah a laurel branch in its beak. Thus, it has become a symbol of good news.
In the culture of classicism, laurel becomes the main emblem of glory. Images of laurel branches and wreaths can be seen on awards given to artists, poets and musicians, as well as on most orders. From the word "laurel" came the well-known word "laureate" - crowned with laurels.
