DAPHNEAND APOLLO

Apollo was one of the twelve Greek gods, who lived on the mountain Olympus. He was the god of the sun, of the music and of the art of divination. Besides he was extremely handsome and he loved to protect athletes

One time in Delphi, while Apollo was practicing at his target with his arrows, he offended Eros who was also trying them out.

So Eros decided to get revenge one day. Sometime, when Apollo had visited Tempi, Eros took out of his quiver two arrows, one that awakened love and one that denied it.

With the first one he hit Apollo and with the second one he hit Daphne. Daphne was a beautiful young nymph, the daughter of the river – god Peneaus. She was a hunter. She had dedicated her life to Artemis, the godess of hunting. Just like the godess she refused to get married. She turned a lot of admires down. She refused even the beauty of Apollo.

Apollo fell in love with Daphne, but she denied his proposals and he started chasing her in among the trees.

Daphne was so scared that she asked her father Peneaus, to help her. He protected her by turning her into a tree that would have its roots nearby the riverbank. The tree we all know as laurel is named Daphne in Greek.

When Apollo came looking for Daphne, her father told him that she had been turned into a tree. So Apollo cut off a few branches and made a wreath in remembrance of her beauty and his endless love for her.

Apollo made laurel his sacred plant. He established the award of a laurel wreath for the champions and for those who excel in many levels.

In the ancient Olympic Games all winners were crowned with a laurel wreath…

…a tradition that is still alive in our days.