Daphne is a minor female figure in Greek Mythology. Born a Naiad (Freshwater Nymph) she is best known for turning into a Laurel tree to escape the advances of the sun god Apollo, who held an unrequited love for her.
Genealogy and Family[]
In regular accounts her parents were listed the Thessalian river god Peneus and Creusa, a Naiad, with her siblings being Hypseus, Stilbe and Menippe.
Story[]
Daphne was Apollo's love interest who was harassed by him and got so fed up with it that she prayed to her father, Peneus, the river god, for help to escape and Peneus turned her into a Laurel tree. Upon realising it was impossible to be with his love, Apollo vowed to crown the leaves of this Laurel tree on victorious athletes, generals, poets and musicians. In the accounts, both Daphne and Apollo had been struck with a young Cupid's arrows in a revenge to Apollo, who had mocked Eros' archery abilities. With Apollo falling in love with Daphne and Daphne hating every man, a romantic relationship between them could never work out.
Role[]
As a Naiad Nymph of the river Peneus, she was tasked with taking care of and maintaining this freshwater.
Personality[]
Daphne has been rather scared of Apollo, ever since he started chasing her and trying to find ways to not harm her, later on meant that he was in love with her shocked her a lot. She didn't want to hurt his feelings so she just got harassed instead. Later on, she couldn't take it anymore and asked her father to transform her into a tree. She was too kind.
Modern Depictions[]
In the children's book series, Goddess Girls, Daphne was merely mentioned by Artemis to Cassandra about Apollo's delicate and fractured feelings of like, Artemis warned Cassandra to try her best not to break his heart, because Daphne the immortal nymph was the one who was toying with his emotions. (In the myth, Apollo couldn't take it anymore and decided to sexually harass her.) In both versions, Daphne was never seen in her human form again. In more detailed matters in the mythology, Daphne was turned into a Laurel tree after praying to her father.
The Myth of Daphne was also re-imagined in a Korean anime television series, Olympus Guardian, where the story was covered in the tenth episode, Daphne, Who turned Into A Laurel Tree.
Trivia[]
Daphne's name means "Laurel" in Greek