Daphne was a Naiad nymph in Greek mythology.
She was beautiful and her beauty caught the attention of the god Apollo. Apollo, who according to some sources had been struck by one of Eros' love-inducing arrows, started chasing Daphne. She tried to evade him, and just before she was caught, she pleaded to her father Peneus (or to the goddess Gaia) to save her. Her pleads were heard and she was transformed into a laurel tree. Apollo was heart-broken at the loss of Daphne and to remember her for ever, he made the laurel his symbol and sacred plant.
Artwork by Yliade