Few symbols have travelled as far as the laurel wreath. A simple circle of leaves, it has stood for victory, honour and achievement for more than two thousand years, and it still turns up on medals, diplomas and coats of arms today.
The myth
In Greek myth the god Apollo fell in love with the nymph Daphne, who fled from him and was turned into a laurel tree. Apollo made the laurel his sacred plant and wore its leaves as a crown. That is why the laurel became linked with Apollo's gifts: music, poetry and prophecy.
Crowns for winners
At the Pythian Games, held at Delphi in Apollo's honour, winners were crowned with laurel. (The Olympic Games used olive.) The Romans carried the idea further: a general celebrating a triumph wore a laurel wreath, and emperors were shown wearing one on coins and carved gems. Over time the wreath came to mean success of any kind.
Laurels today
The symbol never really left. The word laureate, as in poet laureate or Nobel laureate, means one crowned with laurel. The word baccalaureate is popularly linked to it too, which is one reason laurel wreaths are a favourite graduation motif. To "rest on your laurels" means to stop after a success.
Why it suits an intaglio
Laurel wreaths were carved on Roman gems, so an intaglio is one of the most historically fitting ways to wear one. In our laurel wreath collection the wreath is carved into coloured glass or framed around it, in red, blue, green, purple, clear and smoky tones.
Who it is for
- A graduate, or anyone finishing a long piece of study.
- A new job, a promotion or a finished project.
- Someone who loves classical history or Greek and Roman art.
- Anyone who simply likes a circle of leaves: it is also one of the most wearable classical motifs.
Frequently asked questions
What does a laurel wreath symbolise?
Victory, achievement and honour. It comes from the crowns given to winners in ancient Greece and to victorious generals in Rome.
Is a laurel wreath the same as an olive wreath?
No. Olive crowned winners at the ancient Olympic Games; laurel was Apollo's plant and crowned winners at the Pythian Games.
Is laurel wreath jewellery a good graduation gift?
Yes. It is one of the most traditional symbols of achievement, which makes it a natural choice for a graduate.