Laurel wreath
A laurel wreath is a made of branches and leaves of the bay laurel ( Laurus Latin ) shaped wreath. The laurel wreath is a symbol and an insignia for a special honor or award, especially for a win or a particular success. Therefore it is also called victor's wreath. Laurel wreaths are often depicted golden.
- 3.1 Architecture
- 3.2 Design 3.2.1 form
- 3.2.2 material
- 3.2.3 Logo
- 3.6.1 phrases
- 3.6.2 Proverbs
- 3.7.1 poems
- 3.7.2 Share
- 3.7.3 Quotations
- 3.11.1 Christian naming
Antiquity
Ancient Greece
The evergreen bay laurel tree or shrub was in the mythology of ancient Greece as a symbol of health and moral purification and atonement. In the acts of worship to the Greek god Apollo the laurel took a particular task by reminding him of the beloved nymph Daphne, who was saved from his snares, by being transformed by her father into a laurel bush: So the first laurel tree originated. For Apollo, the shrub was sacred by the transformation, so he wore an expression of his grief and pain of the unrequited love of a laurel wreath on his head. According to tradition, a first oracle of Apollo " by the noise of the bay " was announced. Temples and shrines in honor of Apollo were decorated with laurel and cleaned with broom tied laurel branches. The Oracle of Delphi spoke with a bay leaf in the mouth. For the followers of Hippocrates, the laurel was reputed to act as a remedy for female complaints. In the everyday life of ancient Greece, the laurel wreath adorned outstanding poet and Sportler.Lateinunterricht of Askanische school
Ancient Rome
Even in Roman mythology played the laurel wreath a significant role. In the cult of the god Jupiter, he was a sign of the winner, who was lorbeerbekränzt (Latin laureate ). Therefore, the laurel wreath was when returning from generals to Rome signs of military conqueror (see corona triumphalis ), while the leaders of armies that had gained a less significant success had to settle for a ovatio with a myrtle wreath. The wreaths were thereby not only worn by the victor, but of all participants in the triumphal procession, with the exception of slaves. Later, the emperor of Rome wore a laurel wreath as a sign of her fame. In their case, however, held a standing behind the Emperor slave to the victor in addition a gold wreath (Latin corona ex auro Etrusca ) over his head. The Romans burned bay leaves with sage, thyme, verbena and juniper, to drive away evil spirits.
Symbolism
The laurel wreath is a peaceful symbol in principle. The circular shape represents perfection, the evergreen shrub or appearance of the bay laurel tree for stability and immortality. Already the ancient Greeks and Romans, he stood for success, achievement, victory, glory and consecration.
As opposed to a royal or imperial crown of laurel wreath symbolizes a civic crown (Latin corona civica, in the Roman Empire, however, of oak leaves ), which can be consequently won by generals, scientists, poets and athletes.
Areas of science
Architecture
Laurel wreaths and branches are very commonly used in architecture as jewelry item on the external walls and in the interior, especially in earlier centuries. So entrance gates of the castle Nymphenburg in Munich, for instance lorbeerumkränzt. Also worth seeing are the ornate ceilings of the castle Köpenick in Berlin, the show baroque stucco with acanthus and laurel wreath.
Design
Form
The laurel wreath appears in different forms. There are both representations of a single bay branch, which is used as the ring gear to the main winding as well as those in which two discrete branches are intertwined bay at the bottom part and wound into a ring. In this second variant, the two branches are so interrelated that the blade tips are respectively in the opposite direction of the Flechtstelle. Accordingly, a laurel wreath is positioned on the head, that the leaf tips show the same forward and obliquely upward. This stands for the positive element, a pre- quest or life-affirming vigor. The second variant is often provided at the Flechtstelle with ribbons, for example, in the national colors. The laurel wreath is not necessarily a closed form, it can be opened like a horseshoe above. When worn, the aperture has always forward, the front part of the head or forehead thus remains largely free. For two-dimensional representations of the opening of the laurel wreath is almost always upward.
Material
In its concrete form the branches of the bay are the original and natural material of the laurel wreath, later replaced according to the occasion by processed man-made materials such as metal, of natural or synthetic fibers. In the visual arts and architecture in addition, other materials such as glass, wood, precious metals, natural and artificial stone or plaster may be used. In the medals, plaques and coinage metals or alloys of precious metals and other metals are mainly used.
Logo
Numerous institutions, organizations and companies use the laurel wreath as logo, so for example, uses the British manufacturer of sportswear, Fred Perry, a laurel wreath (English laurel wreath ) as a company logo, the embroidered on all products, woven, embossed or printed. In the first half of the 20th century, the Czech automotive brand Skoda led temporarily logos that were framed by a laurel wreath, as well as the German car brand Benz. The same applies to the Mercedes-Benz brand, whose logo was temporarily provided with a laurel wreath, which remained after the merger of Daimler Benz (1926 ) first obtained as a connecting element between the name Mercedes and Benz. However, the laurel wreath can also easily be confused with the branches of an olive tree, which is a symbol of peace and not of triumph. To use the United Nations ( UN) is a stylized representation of the Earth, which is framed by branches of the olive tree.
Film
The laurel wreath, also appears in the film, such as in science fiction as emblem or flag of a nation, or the League of Nations (see Emblem of the United Federation of Planets (Star Trek) ). From Ohnsorg Theater in Hamburg there is a folk play, which titled with " The laurel wreath ', shown on German television and is also available on video. Comes an American silent film entitled " The Laurel Wreath of Fame" in 1912.
Heraldry
The laurel wreath or laurel branches are found on many coats of arms and flags. On national coat of arms and flags to use, for example, El Salvador, Colombia, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru and Cyprus a laurel wreath. Also coat of arms and flag of the U.S. state of New Hampshire show a laurel wreath. In German municipal coat of arms is found the laurel wreath, for example, in Aldenhoven ( circle Jülich ) or earlier in their district Siersdorf, and in Belecke (part of Warstein).
Art
In the fine and performing arts can be found since ancient laurel wreaths so on numerous paintings, mosaics and sculptures, of course, in the spectacle. In the Basilica of Aquileia there is the Victoria christiana, the symbol of the victorious Christianity. Shown is a blonde girl who presents a laurel wreath with his right hand. In his left hand, it carries a palm branch as a symbol of peace. It is a Christian interpretation of the ancient models Nike and Victoria.
Linguistics
The term laureate, (Latin for laurel wreath carrier, today used feminine form laureate ), generally stands for people for whom a tribute is given to become - see also lauréat (French ) or laureato (Italian ). For graduates or academics or the university degree is laurea ( f ). The term '' poet laureate '' on the other hand refers to a decidedly crowned with the laurel wreath poet.
Lauréate other hand, labeled with the Romanian motor vehicle Dacia brand an upmarket trim level of car types.
Sayings
- The phrase " on his laurels " means to hold back after past successes with current commitment. Students and athletes get after a good performance often rendered the admonition " do not rest on their laurels ", but continue to learn at the same rate or to exercise.
Proverbs
- The saying " bay is not filling; who has better potatoes " is that you alone can not live by fame.