In the traditions of many European peoples, a symbol of triumph, victory is a laurel branch. To figure out why this happened, you need to turn to the history of the Ancient World and trace the path that an ordinary tree made - from a simple plant to a symbol of victory.
Greek legends
Myths of Ancient Greece associate this triumphal symbol with Apollo, the god, patron of the arts and competitions. According to legend, once Apollo fell in love with the nymph Daphne and began to persistently pursue her. Beauty tried to escape. When Apollo almost caught her, Daphne, raising her hands, turned to her father, the god of the rivers Peneus. He turned her into a slender tree. The saddened Apollo wove a wreath for himself from the leaves of this tree, in memory of unrequited love. And the tree was named after the unfortunate nymph. In translation, Daphne means laurel. Until now, on the island of Delos, where, according to legend, the god of beauty was born, laurel gardens and groves grow. Well, the decoration of bay leaves has becomean indispensable attribute of the image of Apollo.
Symbol of winners
Since then, the laurel tree has been inextricably linked with the name of Apollo. Since, in addition to the arts, Apollo patronized sports, the laurel wreath began to be awarded not only to skilled composers, singers and artists, but also to the winners of the Pythian games, which served as the venue for the Crissian Plain. From Greece, the laurel wreath was inherited by the Romans. The triumphal symbol of the laurel began to be intended not only for winners in sports, but also for heroes who distinguished themselves in military campaigns. The laurel among the Romans became a symbol of peace, which follows a military victory. Such an award was given to a warrior for special merits - for example, for rescuing a comrade in battle, being the first to enter an enemy fortress, for a successful assault on an enemy city. The goddess of victory, Nike, always held in her hands a triumphal symbol - a laurel wreath, which was placed on the head of the winner.
Legend has it that laurel is Jupiter's favorite tree and has never been struck by lightning. In peacetime, the laurel wreath served as an indispensable attribute of holidays and sacrifices, glorifying the supreme god of the Romans. The symbol of triumph was minted on coins depicting Apollo and Jupiter. Yuri Caesar wore a wreath at all solemn events. True, evil tongues claimed that the laurel wreath helped hide the balding crown of the emperor.
Laurel among the early Christians
Early Christians borrowed manysymbols of ancient religions. The symbol of triumph, the laurel branch, was also not forgotten. In the aesthetics of early Christianity, laurel symbolizes chastity, purity, he alth and longevity. Evergreen leaves perfectly symbolized the eternal life that will come after the atoning sacrifice of the Son of God. Christ was also often depicted with a laurel wreath, as the One who conquered death. Some early Christian martyrs were depicted with laurel wreaths. Laurel was also revered as a plant widely used in medicine and in cooking. In an era when spices were worth their weight in gold, bay leaves were indeed a precious gift that could even be given to a king.
Laurel in heraldry and phaleristics
The symbol of immortality from theosophy migrated to the coats of arms and insignia of well-born aristocrats. In heraldry, laurel, like oak, is a symbol of fearlessness and valor. Golden leaves on a red background symbolized the fearless heart of a brave warrior. The triumphal symbol became especially popular in France, laurel leaves adorned the coat of arms of the French Republic. After that, the laurel took pride of place on the emblems of many states. At the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, laurel wreaths adorned the state signs of such states as Brazil, Guatemala, Algeria, Greece, Israel, Cuba, Mexico.
Medals, orders and insignia of many countries of the world adorn the leaves of evergreen laurel. Indeed, all over the world this plant is a symbol of glory, victory and military prowess, which means that awards should contain in theirthe image of this triumphal symbol. The most honorary decorations of European states contain images of bay leaves.
The meaning of the laurel wreath today
Until now, the laurel wreath adorns the winners of various art and music competitions. The title "laureate" literally means "decorated with laurel", which means a winner worthy of wearing this symbol of triumph. Photos of modern laureates show that today they are not decorated with wreaths, like the ancient winners. It's just that the insignia of scientists and musicians certainly contain images of bay leaves. According to some sources, the scientific title "bachelor" also comes from the name of the laurel branch.
Thus, from the ancient past, the laurel has safely come to our time, almost without losing its symbolic meaning.
