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Daphne 1 escapes Apollo by turning into a laurel tree. 3824: Jean-Etienne Liotard 1702-1789: Apollo and Daphne. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

The Laurel

Since Daphne 1, pursued by Apollo, changed into a Laurel tree, the god is associated with the Laurel. For it is said that while Apollo pursued her, she implored to Zeus to disappear from sight, and as her prayers were heard, she was turned into a laurel tree. That was all that remained of her, but Apollo broke a branch from the tree and placed it on his head declaring:

“Since you cannot be my bride, you shall at least be my tree. My hair, my lyre, my quiver shall always be entwined with you, O laurel.” (Apollo. Ovid, Metamorphoses 1.557).