Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-04-16
THE LAUREL
It's Sentimental Symbolism Among
Greeks and Romans
Often Used Instrument of DIStna-
tion-AIso q Token of Some Glad
Event, Especially Victory
In Battle

The tree which Is known to US by
the name of the laurel was held in
high honor by the ancient Greeks
and Romans, says Rev. a. E. Daw-
son in Golden Days. They chose it as
a reward for virtue and valor, and
it was considered the symbol of
these excellent qualities. The laurel
branch was used as an instrument of
divination in their religious cere-
monies. If the leaves cracked loudly
when thrown into the fire it was
considered good omen, and if they
made but little noise it was the re-
verse. To secure pleasant dreams
all that was necessary upon retiring
at night was to put a few laurel
leaves at the head of the bed.
If laurels were planted before the
door of house it was secure from
evil influences. Aside from the
superstitious dependence upon the
plant it had place in their code of
medicines. Decoctions of the leaves
were specific cures for many COM
plants, while the sap of the tree was
considered by them as an excellent
antidote for poison, and was also used
to cure epilepsy. From this use in
medicine arose the custom of decorat-
ing the STATUES of Esculapius, the
god of medicine, with laurel.
We are told by Juvenal that when
ever any happy event took place it
was the custom to decorate the house
with laurel as token of the event,
just as we now decorate our houses
with holly on Christmas day. The
laurel was especially dedicated to
Apollo in consequence of the gen
eral belief that it was he who
conferred upon men the gifts OF
poetry and prophecy. Pausanias
tells us that one of the priests Of
this god was always crowned with
laurel, and a laurel crown was the
reward for those who competed in
the games which were held in honor
of the god.
The custom of binding the brows OF
conquerors with laurel was a very
ancient one It Is described as ex-
listing at the time Of Eneas, and the
Romans adopted it at an early period,
using it chiefly in their triumphal
ceremonies. The victorious genera
not only wore it on his forehead, but
also carried sprig of the tree in hi:
hand. Sometimes this crown was
gold, and merely in the form o.
| laurel.
When the messengers were dis
| patched to tell the news of victory
laurel was placed on the points o.
their javelins, in order that all who
saw them might know the news they
bore.
-TheAaeathZ Miti .radatee was
announced to Pomaey by sprig o
laurel. 1t was also used to or
nament letters and tablets contain
ing news of this kind. Victorious
ships were decorated with it, a!
were those about to depart on som,
glorious expedition. The laurel wa.
placed at the stern of the vessel, be
cause there were the tutelary god.
of the ship, and it was to these god;
that the sailors prayed when storm
threatened to destroy them.
The laurel was also a sign OF peac,
and friendship. In the midst of l
fight soldier would offer it to hi.
enemy as a sign that he sur
rendered and demanded quarter
Lastly, the laurel was bound abou
the brows of the dead who hac
DISTINGUISHED themselves in battl,
and who died victorious