Mountain-laurel, Bay-laurel or Daphne of Apollo

Pink oleander flowers. (Photos SOOC).

The bay laurel is a plant personified in Greek mythology. {Greek word Daphne, or Daphne of Apollo=Bay laurel.}
Bay Laurel or Sweet Laurel flower buds and leaves. (Touched)

Greek mythology has always been a source of fascination for me. So I thought I'd share the story (myth) of Apollo and Daphne with you today.

Apollo was the god of the sun, light and music in ancient Greek and Roman mythology. He was also associated with youth and beauty.
The curse of Apollo was brought onto him when he insulted the young Eros (Cupid) for playing with bow and arrows. As the myth says, the insulted Eros (Cupid) took two arrows, one of gold and one of lead. With the leaden shaft, to incite hatred, he shot the nymph Daphne and with the golden one, to incite love, he shot Apollo through the heart. Apollo went crazy over Daphne, and she in turn abhorred him.
Apollo continually  followed her. Seeing that Apollo was bound to catch her, she called upon her father, "Help me, Peneus! Open the earth to enclose me, or change my form, which has brought me into this danger!".

Suddenly, her skin turned into bark, her hair became leaves, her arms were transformed into branches, and her feet became rooted to the ground...
Apollo used his powers of youth to render her ever green. Since then, the leaves of the bay laurel plant have never known decay. 

Since summer is coming, I just wanted to say farewell to spring through flower photos. Pale pink mountain-laurel blooms seemed the obvious choice as willing subject. Aren't they beautiful? 

Hope you have a lovely, relaxing weekend! xx
                                              

66 comments:

  1. So, I shall never shout for help anymore.

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  2. Oooh, SOOC beautiful! I finally did my baby animals one today. They are just too much fun!

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  3. I also think that Greek Mythology explains the appearance of many flowers and special days!

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  4. I think mythology is fascinating, too. Thanks for sharing this story AND these beautiful photos!

    Have a wonderful weekend, Betty!

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  5. Beautiful story and I totally agree, it's always fascinating.

    Happy weekend!

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  6. i agree - really wonderful stories!

    beautiful blooms, too.

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  7. A sad story of impossible love! Beautiful flower though. We were always told the story of Narcissus when we were little to stop us from being too vain!

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  8. Anonymous9:41 AM

    Beautiful story and post - enjoy your weekend!

    http://tinajoathome.com/

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  9. As you know I'm a big fan of these mythological and folklore stories. Great post, my thanks for sharing. Have a great weekend.

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  10. Thanks for that entertaining myth.. and for the lovely flowers. Their leaves, with such a wonderful grain, are about as beautiful as the blossom.

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  11. Anonymous10:11 AM

    Hello betty,
    gorgeous pictures, love your flowers!
    wish you a nice day
    moni

    Thanks for visit my blog
    http://www.reflexionblog.de

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  12. Beatiful pictures;Loving look!

    Thanks for your visit too :)
    Hugs.

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  13. Beautiful !!!!...lovely weekend love Ria...xxx...

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  14. Lovely retelling of a fave myth.
    Aloha, Dear

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  15. I am very interested in Greek mytology. The plant is so beautiful. Great photography Betty.
    Have a wonderful weekend.

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  16. Poor Apollo. That's just not fair.

    The moral of the story... never insult someone who is holding a weapon.

    Beautiful flowers (and leaves) though!

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  17. Beautiful Laurel, Betty. It looks so different from the Mountain Laurel around here in the Smoky Mountains...

    Your flowers are gorgeous though... Welcome to SUMMER... Hope you are doing fine.

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  18. I love reading the Greek stories. Your mountain laurel is lovely. Beautiful images..happy weekend to you!

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  19. this is a new story to me and I love it... I have not seen mountain laurel since 1959 when we left the mountains of KY. when it was blooming on Pine Mountain it was beyond beautiful. so is this one

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  20. I have never heard that story. But I remember my mother saying the words Mountain Laurel in her beautiful voice. Thanks for jogging that memory.

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  21. Striking images, Betty. I love the colors.

    xoRobyn

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  22. Like how you work with dark backgrounds. It was a while that I visited your blog but I am back.

    Greetings,
    Filip

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  23. Bonitas fotografías; preciosa flor.
    Feliz fin de semana. Un abrazo.
    Ramón

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  24. What beautiful blooms and I really enjoyed the story! I've always been fascinated by mythology :)

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  25. Anonymous4:43 PM

    Always loved this legend of Greek Mythology, so I have to Laurel at a selected location in my heart.
    Beautiful pictures.
    Hugs and kisses.

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  26. Beautiful photography, Betty! The blooms are just gorgeous. Have a happy weekend!

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  27. It puts me in mind of a wonderful sculpture of the story, I think by Bernini.

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  28. I'm not very well read and didn't know that one.

    LOVE the vivid green leaves with the pink. Great combination!

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  29. Well, isn't that just like a man!!!! Winter is here today downunder - but somehow I think it's a little milder than yours! Still, all the smart travellers are heading north!!

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  30. The photos you put here invoke emotion in me. :) Isn't that awesome?

    I like mythology, too. I need to read again some of my favorite stories.

    Have a great weekend, dear!

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  31. The photos are so real... and so alive... I can touch them! Thank you for this elegant bouquet of florals... right at the tail end of spring.

    Summer will come with her own good tidings, and I know there are more goodies to come from your direction, my dear... as always!

    I hope you are enjoying a relaxing and beautiful weekend!

    Big hugs to you,
    Nevine

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  32. Beautiful my dear Betty ...
    both your images and the Saga !!!
    Love and hugs and thank you for all your comments !!!!!!!!!!!!

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  33. You take the most amazing flower pictures. Thank you for the backstory! I only knew part of it.

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  34. Excelentes fotos de belas flores....
    Cumprimentos

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  35. Beautiful pictures dear Betty!!I agree!!!Really wonderful stories!I hope you have a wonderful weekend!!Φιλάκια φίλη μου!!
    Dimi..

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  36. Oh how beautiful! I Heart Macro opens tonight at 8pm EST at my blog if you want to join the fun:-)

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  37. Some pictures with exquisite colors, beautiful flowers, pure delicacy!

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  38. Hi Betty, I love these photos and I also enjoyed your post, so interesting. Thank you for sharing with Today's Flowers, and enjoy the rest of your weekend :)

    Denise
    Today’s Flowers
    An English Girl Rambles

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  39. Beautiful color.

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  40. Anonymous2:57 AM

    Hi Betty, I enjoyed the myth story- and love the beautiful mountain laurel.

    Your blog is a delight- Happy weekend to you ~:)

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  41. Lovely shots and the accompanying story was quite interesting.

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  42. I watched Clash of the Titans the other night and recalled how much I enjoyed reading mythology in my youth. Thanks for the nice memory. :)

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  43. Una gran belleza de imágenes, el laurel siempre me ha gustado, tiene una hoja de la cual se puede representar en muchas labores y dibujos, las explicaciones muy buenas. Un abrazo y de nuevo contigo

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  44. καλησπέρα Μπέτυ και καλό μήνα
    Μαγικά όμορφες οι μωβ παρουσιάσεις σου!!!
    Και εννοείται,ένα μεγάλο ΕΥΓΕ για τη Δάφνη και την Ελληνική Μυθολογία την οποία διδάσκεις εδώ!!!!
    Σε έβαλα στην παρέα μας-))
    http://pinterest.com/christagreece/blog-friends/
    πολλά φιλιά-))))

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  45. Beautiful photos. Sorry for the late visit. Hope you'd find time to visit my Duranta Repens.

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  46. Llena tu mente de bellos pensamientos
    y deja que ellos trabajen en tu corazón,
    pintando un interior de alegría,
    para que aflore en el espejo tus ojos
    la más bonita de las sonrisas.

    Te deseo tengas un hermoso
    comienzo de semana.

    Esta amiga que te quiere y aprecia!
    María Del Carmen



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  47. The dried laurel leaves are gorgeous and the pretty pink flowers look like oleander.

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  48. I never studies mythology, but Cupid sounded like a real vindictive kind of guy, huh?

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  49. Really pretty photographs and some interesting information!

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  50. HI Betty Just discovered your blog and joined. Lovely photographs. Margaret

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  51. Brilliant and artistic post, congratulations!
    Léia

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  52. Beautiful pictures, Betty..as always :) I also loved to read the myth story.Thanks for sharing! Have a great day, my friend!xx

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  53. A ti que estás leyendo esto, te dejo las siguientes menciones...
    Que tengas un fin de semana colmado de bendiciones,
    para que tu corazón siga siendo un vergel de emociones.

    Que a donde mires veas amor, siendo un toque de esperanza
    y hacía donde camines encuentres la felicidad con templanza.

    Esta que te quiere
    y nunca te interfiere...
    Atte.
    María Del Carmen




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  54. I love the way you utilized both low key and high key light!

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  55. So beautiful. We have a lot of mountain laurel on our land.

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  56. very lovely blossoms! thanx for sharing with us :)

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  57. LOvely flowers!:)

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  58. I love Greek mythology too and this is a great story indeed. What beautiful photos, especially the first ones that you selected.

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  59. I, too, love Greek mythology. A very interesting post, and beautiful pictures Betty:-)

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  60. These are wonderful pics!:D
    I too love Greek mythology:-)

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  61. Interesting story and pictures.
    Thanks for both:-)

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  62. Beautiful shots of the mountain laurel.

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  63. Dear Betty,
    wonderful story and amazing pictures!
    Wish you a nice week
    moni

    Thanks for visit my blog
    http://www.reflexionblog.de

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