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A laurel wreath decorating a memorial at the Folketing, the national parliament of Denmark.

A laurel wreath is a round wreath historically made of connected branches and leaves of the bay laurel (Laurus nobilis), an aromatic evergreen tree native to the Mediterranean region. The laurel wreath symbolizes triumph and merit and is traditionally worn as a chaplet around the head or as a garland around the neck.

In modern idiomatic usage, the laurel wreath refers to achievement or success. The word laureate in "poet laureate" and "Nobel laureate" derives from the laurel wreath. The expression "resting on one's laurels" suggests reliance on past successes for continued fame or recognition, and to "look to one's laurels" means to be careful of losing rank to competition.[1]

History

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Greek mythology

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Apollo and Daphne

The laurel wreath has its roots in Greek mythology. The Greek god Apollo, the patron of sport, is closely associated with the laurel wreath and is often depicted wearing one.[2]

In the story of Apollo and Daphne, Apollo mocked the god of love, Eros (Cupid), for his use of bow and arrow. In response, the insulted Eros prepared two arrows—one of gold and one of lead. He shot Apollo with the gold arrow, instilling in him a passionate love for the river nymph Daphne. He shot Daphne with the lead arrow, instilling in her a hatred of Apollo. Apollo pursued Daphne until she begged to be free of him and was turned into a laurel tree.[2]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 an inspirational symbol for musicians, poets and athletes.[2]

Usage

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Academia

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An actress performing a play. She wears a laurel wreath and stands in front of a statue of a woman from the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus. Room 21, The British Museum, London

In some countries the laurel wreath is used as a symbol of the master's degree. The wreath is given to young masters at the university graduation ceremony. The medieval Florentine poet and philosopher Dante Alighieri, a member of the Sicilian School[3], is often represented in paintings and sculpture wearing a laurel wreath.

In Italy, the term laureato is used in to refer to any student who has graduated. Right after the graduation ceremony, or laurea in Italian, the student receives a laurel wreath to wear for the rest of the day. This tradition originated at the University of Padua[citation needed] and has spread in the last two centuries to all Italian universities.

Ovid with laurel wreath, common in poets

At Connecticut College in the United States, members of the junior class carry a laurel chain, 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]

At Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts, USA, laurel has been a fixture of commencement traditions since 1900, when graduating students carried or wore laurel wreaths. In 1902, the chain of mountain 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 the bay laurel used by the Romans in wreaths and crowns of honor.[5]

At Reed College in Portland, Oregon, United States, members of the senior class receive laurel wreaths upon submitting their senior thesis 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]

At St. Mark's School in Southborough, 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]

In Sweden, those receiving a doctorate or an honorary doctorate at the Faculty of Philosophy (meaning philosophy, languages, arts, history and social sciences), receive a laurel wreath during the ceremony of conferral of the degree.[citation needed]

In Finland, in University of Helsinki a laurel wreath is given during the ceremony of conferral for masters's degree. Doctors wear a special kind of Doctoral hat.[citation needed]

Architecture and decorative arts

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The laurel wreath is a common motif in architecture, furniture, and textiles.[7] The laurel wreath is seen carved in the stone and decorative plaster works of Robert Adam, and in Federal, Regency, Directoire, and Beaux-Arts periods of architecture. In decorative arts, especially during the Empire 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 their logo after they won the inaugural Automobile World Championship in 1925 with the P2 racing car.[citation needed]

Alexander Garden Grille
A laurel wreath in the emblem of the Spanish anarcho-syndicalist labor union, the CNT

Heraldry

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Media related to Laurel in heraldry at Wikimedia Commons

Laurel wreaths are sometimes used in heraldry. They may be used as a charge in the shield, around the shield, or on top of it like an annular form.[8] Wreaths are a form of headgear akin to circlets.[9]

In heraldry, a twisted band of cloth holds a mantling onto a helmet.[9] This type of charge is called a "torse".[9] A wreath is a circlet of foliage, usually with leaves, but sometimes with flowers.[9] Laurel wreaths are used the arms of a territorial branch. [9] Wreaths may also be made from oak leaves, flowers, holly and rosemary; and are different from chaplets. While usually annular, they may also be penannular like a brooch.[9]

Boy Scouts

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Wreath of Service

The "wreath of service" is located on all commissioner position patches in the Boy Scouts of America. This is a symbol for the service rendered to units and the continued partnership between volunteers and professional Scouter. The wreath of service represents commitment to program and unit service.[10]

Further reading

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  • Carruthers, Emile (2017-05-04). "The Ancient Origins of the Flower Crown". The Iris. The Getty. Retrieved 2019-02-14.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "look to one's laurels". Oxford: Oxford University Press. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  2. ^ a b c Paulson, Ronald; Eisenman, Peter (2007). Sin and Evil: Moral Values in Literature. Yale University Press. ISBN 978-0300120141.
  3. ^ Alighieri, Dante (October 29, 2007). "Dante Alighieri". Dante Alighieri. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  4. ^ "Commencement Traditions". Connecticut College. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  5. ^ Loomer, Jennifer. "Traditions: Laurel Parade". Mount Holyoke Historical Atlas: Traditions of Mount Holyoke College. Mount Holyoke College. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
  6. ^ Hernadez, Romel. "The Turning of the Thesis". Reed Magazine. Reed College. Retrieved 2013-05-07.
  7. ^ Brown, Richard (1841). Domestic architecture: containing a history of the science, and the principles of designing public edifices, private dwelling-houses. G. Virtue. p. 200.
  8. ^ "Heraldic Meanings". American College of Heraldry. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  9. ^ a b c d e f Baron, Bruce. "Wreath". Dictionary. Mistholme. Retrieved 2019-09-17.
  10. ^ "The History of Commissioner Service". Golden Empire Council. Retrieved 9 June 2006.
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Category:Headgear Category:Visual motifs Category:Architectural elements Category:Headgear in heraldry Category:Roman-era clothing Category:Plants in culture

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