Parents: Zeus and Leto

Birth: Hera, jealous of Leto, forbade any land from giving her shelter to give birth. The floating island of Delos finally offered refuge, and there Leto gave birth to Apollo and his twin sister Artemis.

Story: Apollo was the god of the sun, music, poetry, prophecy, and healing. He drove the sun chariot across the sky each day, bringing light to the world. Apollo was the founder of the Oracle at Delphi, the most important prophetic site in Greece, where his priestess the Pythia delivered his prophecies. He was a master musician whose lyre playing could move gods and mortals to tears. Apollo was also a deadly archer, and together with his twin sister Artemis, he punished those who disrespected their mother Leto.

Apollo and Daphne: Apollo once mocked Eros, the god of love, for carrying a bow and arrow. In revenge, Eros shot Apollo with a golden arrow that made him fall desperately in love with the nymph Daphne, and shot Daphne with a lead arrow that made her despise love. Apollo chased Daphne relentlessly, but she wanted nothing to do with him. Just as Apollo was about to catch her, Daphne cried out to her father, the river god Peneus, who transformed her into a laurel tree. Heartbroken, Apollo declared the laurel sacred and wore a crown of its leaves forever after — which is why laurel wreaths became a symbol of victory in ancient Greece.

The Oracle at Delphi: Apollo's most important site was the Oracle at Delphi, considered the center of the world by the ancient Greeks. To claim it, Apollo slew Python, a great serpent that guarded the site. His priestess, the Pythia, sat over a crack in the earth where mysterious vapors rose, entering a trance and delivering Apollo's prophecies in riddles. Kings, generals, and common people traveled from across the ancient world to consult the Oracle before making important decisions — from founding cities to waging wars. The Oracle's most famous inscription was "Know thyself."

Symbol: Lyre, laurel wreath, sun chariot, bow and arrow.

Represents: The sun, music, poetry, prophecy, healing, and archery.