jasmine hand-woven laurel wreath

In Greek mythology Apollo was represented as wearing a laurel wreath on his head, and in ancient Greece laurel wreaths were used to reward winners, including in sporting competitions, including including the ancient Olympics as well as poetry competitions under the patronage of this god. Some emperors also wore laurel wreaths. While ancient laurel wreaths were often depicted as having a horseshoe shape, today's laurel wreaths are generally circular in shape.