Alaurel wreath is asymbol of triumph, awreath made of connected branches and leaves of thebay laurel (Laurus nobilis), an aromatic broadleaf evergreen. It was also later made from spineless butcher's broom (Ruscus hypoglossum) or cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus). It is worn as achaplet around the head, or as agarland around the neck.
Wreaths and crowns in antiquity, including the laurel wreath, trace back toAncient Greece. InGreek mythology, the godApollo, who is patron oflyrical poetry, musical performance[a] and skill-based athletics, is conventionally depicted wearing a laurel wreath on his head in all three roles.[citation needed] Wreaths were awarded to victors in athletic competitions, including the ancientOlympics; for victors in athletics they were made of wild olive tree known as"kotinos" (κότινος),[1] (sc. atOlympia) – and the same for winners of musical and poetic competitions. InRome they were symbols of martial victory, crowning a successful commander during histriumph. Whereas ancient laurel wreaths are most often depicted as ahorseshoe shape, modern versions are usually complete rings.[citation needed]
In common modernidiomatic usage, a laurel wreath or "crown" refers to a victory. The expression "resting on one's laurels" refers to someone relying entirely on long-past successes for continued fame or recognition, whereas to "look to one's laurels" means to be careful of losing rank to competition.[2]
Apollo, the patron of sport, is associated with the wearing of a laurel wreath.[3] This association arose from the ancientGreek mythology story ofApollo and Daphne. Apollo mocked the god of love,Eros (Cupid), for his use of bow and arrow, since Apollo is also patron of archery. The insulted Eros then prepared two arrows—one of gold and one of lead. He shot Apollo with the gold arrow, instilling in the god a passionate love for the river nymphDaphne. He shot Daphne with the lead arrow, instilling in her a hatred of Apollo.Apollo pursuedDaphne until she begged to be free of him and was turned into a laurel tree.[3]
Apollo vowed to honor Daphne forever and used his powers of eternal youth and immortality to render the laurel tree evergreen. Apollo then crafted himself a wreath out of the laurel branches and turned Daphne into a cultural symbol for him and other poets and musicians.[3]
In some countries, the laurel wreath is used as a symbol of themaster's degree. The wreath is given to young masters at the universitygraduation ceremony. The word "laureate" in 'poet laureate' refers to the laurel wreath. For example, the greatly admired medieval Florentine poet and philosopherDante Alighieri is often represented in paintings and sculpture wearing a laurel wreath.
InItaly, the termlaureato is used in academia to refer to any student who has graduated. Right after the graduation ceremony, orlaurea in Italian, the student receives a laurel wreath to wear for the rest of the day. This tradition originated at theUniversity of Padua and has spread in the last two centuries to all Italian universities.[citation needed]
AtConnecticut College in theUnited States, members of the junior class carry a laurelchain, which the seniors pass through during commencement. It represents nature and the continuation of life from year to year. Immediately following commencement, the junior girls write out with the laurels their class year, symbolizing they have officially become seniors and the period will repeat itself the following spring.[4]
AtMount Holyoke College inSouth Hadley, Massachusetts, USA, laurel has been a fixture ofcommencement traditions since 1900, when graduating students carried or wore laurel wreaths. In 1902, the chain ofmountain laurel was introduced; since then, tradition has been for seniors to parade around the campus, carrying and linked by the chain. The mountain laurel represents thebay laurel used by theRomans in wreaths and crowns of honor.[5]
AtReed College inPortland, Oregon, United States, members of the senior class receive laurel wreaths upon submitting their seniorthesis in May. The tradition stems from the use of laurel wreaths in athletic competitions; the seniors have "crossed the finish line", so to speak.[6]
AtSt. Mark's School inSouthborough, Massachusetts, students who successfully complete three years of one classical language and two of the other earn the distinction of the Classics Diploma and the honor of wearing a laurel wreath on Prize Day.[citation needed]
InSweden, those receiving a doctorate or anhonorary doctorate in subjects traditionally falling within the Faculty of Philosophy (meaning philosophy, languages, arts, history and social sciences, as well as the natural sciences), receive a laurel wreath during the ceremony of conferral of the degree.[citation needed]
InFinland, inUniversity of Helsinki a laurel wreath is given during the ceremony of conferral for master's degree.[7]
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The laurel wreath is a common motif inarchitecture,furniture, andtextiles.[8] The laurel wreath is seen carved in the stone and decorative plaster works ofRobert Adam, and inFederal,Regency,Directoire, andBeaux-Arts periods of architecture. In decorative arts, especially during theEmpire period, the laurel wreath is seen woven in textiles, inlaid in marquetry, and applied to furniture in the form of gilded brass mounts.
Alfa Romeo added a laurel wreath to theirlogo after they won the inaugural Automobile World Championship in 1925 with theP2 racing car.[9][10]
Media related toLaurel wreaths in heraldry at Wikimedia Commons
Laurel wreaths are commonly used in heraldry. They may be used as acharge in theshield, around the shield, or on top of it.[11]Wreaths are a form of headgear akin tocirclets.[12]
In heraldry, a twisted band of cloth holds amantling onto ahelmet. This type of charge is called a "torse". A wreath is a circlet of foliage, usually with leaves, but sometimes with flowers. Wreaths may also be made from oak leaves, flowers, holly and rosemary; and are different fromchaplets. While usually annular, they may also be penannular like abrooch.[12]
In theSociety for Creative Anachronism, laurel wreaths are reserved for use in the arms of a territorial branch, which are required to include one or more.[12]
The "wreath of service" is located on allcommissioner position patches in theBoy Scouts of America. This is a symbol for the service rendered to units and the continued partnership between volunteers andprofessional Scouter. The wreath of service represents commitment to program and unit service.[13]
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