Laurel wreath pattern has deep meaning and several opposites. IN Ancient Greece wreaths were awarded to the winners Olympic Games, famous philosophers, doctors, scientists. Hence the association with the victory. It was highest level recognition of a person's merits before society in any spheres.
Tattoo Features
- Tattoo Laurel wreath becomes a symbol for those who are used to winning. It is also a badge talented people. Victory can be different - over circumstances, in solving any problems, and, most importantly, over oneself, one's negative traits.
- Since laurel is an evergreen tree, it symbolizes eternity and constancy. It is loyalty to personal values and ideas. The laurel wreath also symbolizes renewal and hope for immortality.
- People who apply this tattoo are prone to constant digging in their souls in order to identify those aspects that determine their lives and push them to conquer new heights. The desire to win distinguishes tattoo owners from other people.
The tattoo can be applied to any part of the body. The wreath looks most advantageous on the back, not on the neck, on the chest, on the inner surface of the arm.
The laurel wreath tattoo has another meaning. IN Ancient Rome laurel symbolized martyrdom. It was applied to those people who were persecuted undeservedly. This meaning passed into prison tattoos. It is done by those who were wrongly convicted, who ended up in prison through no fault of their own. The meaning of prison tattoos with a laurel wreath is one - he sat undeservedly, suffered for the truth.
The choice of what the tattoo will symbolize depends on each person, on the characteristics of his character. If you do not take into account, the wreath, along with additional elements, will be a symbol of the will to win, the desire to become better and better every day.
Photos and sketches of a laurel wreath tattoo
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The Greeks considered laurel the tree of Apollo. There is a myth that a beautiful nymph named Daphne took a vow of chastity, but the god Apollo was so fascinated by her that he could not control himself and began to pursue her. Daphne began to pray to the gods for help, and they turned her into a laurel tree. The patron of the arts hugged him, but it was all in vain, the beautiful nymph could not be returned. Since then, the laurel has become the sacred tree of Apollo. Therefore, in Greece, all outstanding artists began to be awarded wreaths of laurel.
In the Roman Empire, a laurel wreath was received best warriors, he symbolized the peace that was to come along with the overthrow of the enemies. Emperors also wore wreaths of laurel branches. The laurel was associated with the immaculate vestals, so it became a symbol of chastity and piety.
Early Christians saw the laurel wreath as a symbol of martyrdom and eternal life. IN Hellenistic period he became associated with fame. It is noteworthy that in the Middle Ages, the laurel wreath disappears from the list of traditional heraldic symbols, its revival occurred only in late XVIII century after french revolution.
By the way, the word “laureate” is directly related to this plant and means “crowned with laurel”.
Symbolism
The roots of the symbolism of the laurel, as already mentioned, are in ancient times. So, what does a laurel wreath tattoo mean?
- Faith in victory. A person wholeheartedly strives for victory, for him there is nothing more important in life than to emerge victorious from any situation. For the sake of victory, he is ready for absolutely anything.
- purposefulness. A laurel wreath tattoo indicates that a person spares no effort to achieve his goals. He has a strong enough incentive to keep moving forward and achieve what he wants.
- Courage. Since wreaths of laurel branches were awarded to warriors who distinguished themselves more than others on the battlefield, it is also considered a symbol of courage, military honor and valor.
- Wisdom. Laurel wreaths were also worn by emperors, and only a wise emperor is able to rule long and fairly.
- Greatness. A person who has chosen such a tattoo dreams of not only living life with dignity, realizing himself as a person or creating happy family, his dreams are much more global. He wants to reach highest position in society.
- Creation. The laurel wreath served as an award for the best poets, musicians, and dancers. Such a tattoo can become a kind of amulet that attracts good luck in creative endeavors for young artists.
- Soul Immortality. Laurel is an evergreen tree, so association with eternal life is inevitable.
The laurel wreath is also found among prison tattoos. In this context, this symbol indicates that the prisoner was unfairly convicted, that he is serving a sentence for a crime that he did not commit. This meaning comes precisely from the Christian interpretation of the symbol.
Stylistic decisions
Both women and men love to reap laurels equally. The laurel wreath is most often depicted in black, without any decorative elements. But there are more original ideas, for example, a laurel wreath with flowers and ribbons, inscriptions topped with laurel.
Such tattoos rarely have very big size so they look great just about anywhere. The most suitable places are the shoulder, forearm, lower leg, thigh, neck, between the shoulder blades.
For monochrome work, graphics are quite suitable. Many mistakenly attribute all black and white works to this style, but this is fundamentally wrong. The graphics are different in that there are no halftones in the image, only black. All shadows are done with hatching. Looks quite original.
If you still prefer colored tattoos, check out the new school work. The style arose not so long ago, about 30 years ago, and adopted a lot from the old school. Such tattoos look spectacular thanks to the use bright colors, clear and wide contours.
In any case, to begin with, discuss the future tattoo with the masters. Perhaps he will give you a really unique idea.
Sweet taste of victory, deafening applause, world fame and enthusiastic exclamations of admirers in honor of the conquered peaks and new open horizons... All this is inextricably linked in our minds with such stable expressions as "win the palm", "be kissed by Fortune" and "put a laurel wreath on your head". All this has become so familiar and ordinary for us that few people even think about the meaning of these words, and even more so do not delve into the history of their appearance. Nevertheless, it is the realization of the simplest truths that often turns out to be one of the most difficult tasks, and therefore it is sometimes very important to understand the essence of them.
Appeal to flora
Like many other realities of our modern life, such a concept as a "laurel wreath" originates in ancient Greece, in the very origins of our cultural traditions, beliefs and views on art and the world in general. You do not need to be a specialist in the field of biology in order to understand what, in fact, this expression is associated with.
Name this subject clearly related to one of ancient symbols, borrowed from the world of flora, - a laurel tree common in the Mediterranean. However, the history of given symbol much more complex and romantic. In order to understand the essence of the meaning, one should refer to Greek mythology.
Connection with the golden-haired god
For a person who understands Antiquity, a laurel wreath is inextricably linked with the name of Apollo, the son of the powerful Zeus and the goddess Leto. Traditionally this representative The Greek pantheon is depicted as a beautiful young man with a bow in his hand and a harp behind his back. Thanks to his amazing beauty, grace and masculinity, it is he who is considered a kind of ideal of the male body and appearance in general. And the famous laurel wreath adorns the head of Apollo, the appearance of which is associated with a romantic, but tragic history love.
Arrow of Eros
According to myths, the beautiful son of Zeus, in addition to a sharp eye and the gift of foresight, also had an excessively large conceit, for which he later had to pay. Eros, who decided to teach Apollo a lesson, pierced his heart with a magic arrow of love, and the young man burned with love for the daughter of the river god Peneus, the nymph Daphne.
Fate was not favorable to the beautiful god, and the girl did not share his feelings. Obeying the torment of his heart, Apollo rushed in pursuit of Daphne, but he failed to catch up with her - exhausted, the nymph called out to her father, asking him for help and salvation. Peneus answered the prayer of his beloved daughter in a very peculiar way - Daphne's thin camp was covered with bark, her hands turned into branches stretched out to the sky, and her hair was replaced by green bay leaves.
Realizing that he was not destined to be with his beloved, the son of Zeus wove a wreath as a memory of the unrequited feeling for the beautiful nymph, which later became his symbol and permanent attribute.
First sign of victory
Nevertheless, the ending of this one is quite sad story was not so gloomy. Everyone knows that the laurel wreath is a symbol of victory in modern world. It was this meaning that the ancient Greeks invested in it, rewarding the best participants Pythian games, arranged to honor the god of beauty and sunlight Apollo. Since then, the world has made it a tradition to crown the head of the winner with a wreath from this evergreen plant with a sad history.
Lavr and other nations
This tree had a deep meaning and power not only for the Greeks and Romans, who inherited their traditions. The laurel wreath also had a different meaning. For example, residents ancient China it symbolized eternal life and rebirth.
IN Christian tradition this tree is almost inextricably linked with the funeral ceremony, since it was laurel wreaths that were used, as a rule, at funerals.
Becoming a symbol of victory
Few people know, but modern understanding This kind of decoration appeared largely due to the Great French bourgeois revolution. It was then that the laurel wreath - a symbol of victory - became such, entering heraldry. In the 18th century, the branches of this plant adorned the coat of arms of the French Republic, and then the banners of other countries.
Value conversion
It is no secret that the ancient Greeks, and then the Romans, paid great attention to sports, arranging numerous games and grandiose competitions. Decorating the head with a laurel wreath as a reward was at that time only available to outstanding wrestlers or, for example, javelin throwers.
Nevertheless, times are changing, and traditions are changing along with them - in the modern world, not only athletes, but also outstanding figures of culture, art, science and even journalism every now and then are honored with the privilege of crowning their heads with a wreath of laurel leaves.
The biggest difference is that today it has become more of a common figurative expression than the actual material embodiment of a victory won. Nevertheless, medals, cups and certificates decorated with this floral ornament cannot be called a rarity today. The symbol of victory, which arose in the distant times of Antiquity, has survived to this day, having been transformed over time, but without losing its greatness.
Among the Celts, Germans and Italians, the oak was revered as a sacred tree. From them these ancient customs passed to the Romans. Evidence of this can serve as a "civil wreath", which was awarded to a warrior who saved the life of a Roman citizen in battle. The wreath, accompanied by the inscription "O.C.S" ("ob cirem servatum" - "savior of the [Roman] citizen", lat), can be considered one of the most ancient military distinctions. We find the same wreath of woven branches in much more recent times on the Order of the Oak Crown, established by the ruler of the Netherlands, when this grand duchy was still under Dutch rule.
However, primacy in the symbolic representation of military prowess and, as a rule, noble birth, gradually won the laurel from the oak (in Italian - “alloro”), sacred tree Apollo. Laurel is not in vain called noble laurel (Laurus nobilis). Laurel "triumphal" wreath was crowned not only by victorious generals during the triumph, but also emperors, and also, and most of all, poets.
As for the laurel wreath
The laurel symbolizes "fearlessness and valor", and if gold in a red field, then "a fearless heart and a warrior who won victory and deserved a reward with his courage." As for the representatives humanities, then, although in France earlier the etymology of the word "bachelor" (which corresponds to our diploma) was derived from laurel wreath(bacca laurea), which during the Middle Ages was placed on the heads of newly minted scientists, then in Lately because of the word “bacalarus”, which appeared out of nowhere, which means “braggart” or “pseudo-scientist”, these etymological studies do not enjoy much credibility.In the coats of arms, the laurel appears in the same variants as the oak., but unlike oak, separate laurel wreath leaves are much more common, not to mention the laurel wreath. Even more often you can find the image of a laurel on the "speaking" coats of arms (Laurenti, Lauri, Loro, Loredano, the last surname is a derivative of Loreto = Lauretus).
The family coat of arms of the Puccini (Pistoia) family “Alternating gold and red pillars and green laurel wreath
laurel branch, a hawk and a crooked Turkish saber - this is what is depicted in the coat of arms of the Marazzi family, which is presented on this page. He appears to be openly proclaiming aggressive intentions: kudos to you if you fight bravely with weapons. The idea is the exact opposite of that symbolized by images of a dove holding an olive branch.
The olive (Olea europea) is a symbol of peace, but also of victory, as victory precedes and ensures the next. peaceful existence.
In addition to this, the olive also signifies chastity - and nowadays marriage announcements are decorated with a garland of wreaths of olive branches. In ancient Rome, an olive wreath was also awarded to those who indirectly contributed to the victory, as was the case with Lepidus (Lepidus is the common name of the Amilian family. - Note. Trans.).
The fact that a dove appeared before Noah with an olive branch in its beak could have been considered an accident if there had not been a more detailed and subtle explanation for it in Greek mythology: symbol, fluctuated between the olive goddess Athena and the horse of Poseidon. In the end, he settled on the name and gifts of the goddess. The horse of Poseidon symbolized the war, while the olive meant the oil trade, which flourished only in peaceful years and peace is always preferable to war.
Personal coat of arms of Danson-Richardson Carrera (York, Great Britain) “Dissected: on the right, four-part: in the first and fourth field, an ermine with three black double belts, a blue head with a silver leopard (Carrer); in the second and third gold field there is a red belt, accompanied on the sides by three laurel branches natural color bandage on the right, two at the head and one at the tip (Rondell); left: in a silver field three green laurel leaf(2, 1) pillar (Folice)"
IN ancient Greek culture the laurel represented victory and peace and was dedicated to Apollo and Dionysus. According to the myth, Apollo pursued the nymph Daphne, who had given her word to remain chaste. Daphne pleaded for help, and the gods turned her into a laurel tree, which Apollo hugged in vain. From now on, the laurel became his sacred plant. That is why in Greece musicians, poets, dancers, whose patron was Apollo, were awarded with laurel wreaths, while athletes, athletes were crowned with olive or celery wreaths. Laurel groves grew on the top of Parnassus, the abode of the Muses, and surrounded the temples of Apollo. Festive garlands and wreaths were woven from laurel leaves; at the festivities in honor of Apollo, the audience wore laurel wreaths. Lavr was attributed not only healing power but also the power of cleansing from spiritual defilement. Laurel leaves were ritually cleansed of spilled blood; Apollo cleansed himself with them after the killing of Python. The goddess of victory, Nike, was depicted with a laurel wreath in her hands, which she places on the heads of the victorious heroes.
IN Ancient Rome the laurel wreath becomes the highest sign of military and imperial glory. It symbolized the peace coming after the victory over the enemy. Messages of victory and victorious weapons were wrapped around laurel and folded in front of the image of Jupiter. Laurel wreaths and branches were depicted on coins and gems as attributes of Jupiter and Apollo. The first Roman emperors did not wear crowns, but adorned their heads with a laurel wreath. In ancient Rome, orators and poets also aspired to possess a laurel wreath. In addition, the laurel was dedicated to the vestal virgins and personified purity.
IN early Christianity evergreen laurel leaves were considered a symbol of eternal life or new life, which will come through the redemptive deeds of Christ, and a wreath of laurel symbolized martyrdom. St. Paul contrasts the incorruptible crown, with which a Christian ascetic is crowned, with the perishable crown, which is received by the victorious on the lists.
Already in Hellenistic era laurel becomes a symbol of glory as such, and a laurel wreath or laurel branch - an emblem of glory. In the Middle Ages, laurel was not used in classical heraldry. But after the French Revolution of 1789, the laurel became the most popular emblem of France: laurel branches were included in the coat of arms French Republic, and nowadays they are also included in the state emblems of Algeria, Brazil, Greece, Israel, Cuba, Mexico and other countries
IN the art of classicism laurel has become widespread as the main emblem of glory. It is found on awards received for successful participation in competitions by scientists, artists, musicians, poets, writers (who are therefore called laureates), as well as on most orders - signs of lifetime glory
Ovid's "Metamorphoses"
Daphne
The bright, joyful god Apollo knows sadness, and grief befell him. He knew grief shortly after defeating Python. When Apollo, proud of his victory, stood over the monster slain by his arrows, he saw near him the young god of love Eros, pulling his golden bow. Laughing, Apollo said to him:
“What do you need, child, such a formidable weapon?” Leave it to me to send out the smashing golden arrows with which I just killed Python. Are you equal in glory with me, the archer? Do you want to achieve more fame than me?
Offended, Eros proudly answered Apollo:
“Your arrows, Phoebus-Apollo, do not know a miss, they smash everyone, but my arrow will hit you.
Eros waved his golden wings and in the blink of an eye flew up to the high Parnassus. There he took out two arrows from the quiver: one - wounding the heart and causing love, he pierced the heart of Apollo with it, the other - killing love, he launched it into the heart of the nymph Daphne, daughter of the river god Peneus.
Once I met the beautiful Daphne Apollo and fell in love with her. But as soon as Daphne saw the golden-haired Apollo, she started to run with the speed of the wind, because the arrow of Eros, which kills love, pierced her heart. The silver-eyed god hurried after her.
- Stop, beautiful nymph, - Apollo called out, - why are you running from me, like a lamb pursued by a wolf, Like a dove fleeing from an eagle, you rush! After all, I'm not your enemy! Look, you hurt your legs on the sharp thorns of the blackthorn. Oh wait, stop! After all, I am Apollo, the son of the Thunderer Zeus, and not a simple mortal shepherd.
But the beautiful Daphne ran faster and faster. As if on wings, Apollo rushes after her. He is getting closer. Now it's coming! Daphne feels his breath. The strength leaves her. Daphne prayed to her father Peneus:
"Father Penei, help me!" Part quickly, earth, and devour me! Oh, take away this image from me, it causes me only suffering!
As soon as she said this, her limbs immediately became numb. The bark covered her delicate body, her hair turned into foliage, and her hands raised to the sky turned into branches. For a long time, sad Apollo stood before the laurel and, finally, said:
“Let a wreath of only your greenery decorate my head, let you now decorate with your leaves both my cithara and my quiver. May your greenery never wither, O laurel! Stay green forever!
And the laurel quietly rustled in response to Apollo with its thick branches and, as if in a sign of consent, bowed its green top.
Delphi
Hulks hampered the path of the ridges.
In the valleys there is shadow and mist.
The Phaedrias burn in the sun
And Zeus's eagles call.
The greatness of secrets and ancient power
In the soul will give birth to holy fear.
Mute laurel groves,
And the echo multiplies every sound.
Along the channels of the ditches, at the bottom of the gorges
The silence of gray streams is not silent.
From the ulcers of the earth, from the mountain cracks,
Like steam, a misty breath rises.
Here, crowned with a vine, -
To the valley of Delphi, to the mouth of the earth
pious path
Prayers brought me.
I sailed the sea for a dolphin,
And at noon a white star
Me across the scorched plains
Led to the serpent's nest.
But the foremother of Gaia is not free
Give birth to sons. Python is silent
And guard the serpent's cave
Sacred laurel, Delphic wolf.
And where Gad crawls gloomy
Darkened the half-day ghost of the day,
A stream of cold and transparent
Oozing to dig a horse.
And where the quiver tinkled with a threat
And the god pierced the snake with an arrow,
The righteous oracle speaks
And bitter laurel in the mouth of the sibyls.
And a wild olive branch
Keeps under the gracious shadow,
Where is the god of the persecuted Orestes
Eumenides hid from anger.
In elemental chaos - the order of the law.
On the abyss of the spirit - the splendor of robes.
And the slain Dionysus -
In the coffin in front of the temple of Apollo!
