Apollo and Daphne Handmade Alabaster Statue (32cm/12.59” Tall)

The myth of Apollo and Daphne has been examined as a battle between chastity (Daphne) and sexual desires (Apollo). Daphne was a beautiful Nymph who loved to hunt. She was the daughter of the Titaness Gaea (the Mother Earth in Ancient Greece) and the god of the Rivers, Peneus. Daphne was the first love of Greek god Apollo. When Apollo saw Daphne for the first time, he got struck by the arrows of Eros and madly fell in love with her. However, Daphne was rather indifferent to Apollo and tried to flee. But Apollo didnt want to give up. So he set up in pursuit of Daphne, until finally he caught her and folded her in his arms. Full of despair, Daphne prayed to her mother Gaea for aid to make her disappear. Gaea followed her wish and, all at once, Daphne disappeared off the face of the earth. On the spot Daphne was seen for the last time, a fragrant plant, the sacred laurel tree, grew in Daphnes honor. From then on, the laurel tree became the symbol of Apollo and he was often depicted with laurel leaves on his golden hair.