Laurel wreath Laurel wreath A laurel wreath is a symbol of victory and honor. It is a round wreath made of connected branches and leaves of the bay laurel ("Laurus nobilis"), an aromatic broadleaf evergreen, or later from spineless butcher's broom ("Ruscus hypoglossum") or cherry laurel ("Prunus laurocerasus"). It is worn as a chaplet around the head, or as a garland around the neck. In Greek mythology, Apollo is represented wearing a laurel wreath on his head. In ancient Greece wreaths were awarded to victors, both in athletic competitions, including the ancient Olympics—for which they were made of wild olive-tree known as
Aetna (nymph) Aetna (nymph) Aetna (Greek: , "Aἴtnē") was in Greek and Roman mythology a Sicilian nymph and, according to Alcimus, a daughter of Uranus and Gaia, or of Briareus. Stephanus of Byzantium says that according to one account Aetna was a daughter of Oceanus. Simonides said that she had acted as arbitrator between Hephaestus and Demeter respecting the possession of Sicily. By Zeus or Hephaestus she became the mother of the Palici. Mount Aetna in Sicily was believed to have derived its name from her, and under it Zeus buried Typhon, Enceladus, or Briareus. The mountain itself was believed to be