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History, Myths & Legends

Bay Laurel Tree

Bay leaves were considered holy and associated with Apolllo by the Greeks.They stem from Daphne the daughter of the river God Peneus. She was a huntress who dedicated herself to Artemis, goddess of the hunt, and they both refused to marry anyone. Daphne refused to marry the son of Zeus, Apollo, and he chased her through the woods. She got frightened and prayed to her father for help, so he protected her by turning her into a Laurel Tree on the bank of the river. Apollo found the tree and made himself a wreath from some branches in memeory of her beauty and his love for her. Greek champions and others since wear a wreath of Laurel/ Bay tree to show their greatness,and the wreath has been known as Daphne since then.