Corporate awards may be something that have only sprung up in relatively recent years, but trophies and awards in general have already been around for thousands of years. The most obvious exemplory case of instances where trophies have been an important part of human culture is the Olympic Games.
There is no doubt that, even though trophy that was awarded to winners of an Olympic games event was a laurel wreath, the esteem in which it had been held was as great, and maybe even higher than, the gold medal awarded for exactly the same events today. It really is simply undeniable that awards and trophies which have been presented to winners throughout human history are a demonstration of the importance that each or group recognition plays in the human psyche.
It is interesting to note the development in the types of trophies awarded to winners as time passes. As mentioned above, laurel wreaths were the first trophies ever awarded at the Olympic Games but as time passed awards of sustained significance begun to become standard.
Vases filled with precious olive oil were presented to winners in the first days of the Olympic Games and also later, vases on tripods and bronze shields soon became the typical. Later again, silver cups received as a sign of the prestige which individual achievements were held.
In ancient Roman times the awards took on even greater significance when money replaced trophies, especially in gladiatorial contests. However Click for more info of achievement were still maintained by way of perpetual trophies handed from winner to win with each passing event.
Even sporting events which were held in England in the centre Ages rewarded winners with chalices made from precious metals. Archers would compete for prestigious events hosted by members of the royal family or local lords exclusively for the recognition it accorded them and the esteem where they would be held by the local community. Indeed, it had been not unusual for the winners of these events to eventually achieve even greater standing with the award of land.
Symbolic gestures have grown to be a standard thread throughout history and trophies have grown to be a vital part, not only in Western culture however in many other countries all over the world as well.
Ancient Chinese records show that superior achievements on the battlefield were rewarded with medals awarded by the Emperor and in the Mayan culture high achievements were publicly recognised in ceremonies designed specifically for the purpose.
Sporting achievements are also a common thread in our history where trophies have been held in the highest esteem. Horse racing is synonymous with this and the history dates back to the 1600s in the Americas where a small silver cup, later to become known as the Kyp Cup, was awarded to the winner of a horse race between two towns in New England.
As time passes a lot of things change and the values in our lives ebb and flow with the course of human history, but a very important factor is for certain. Trophies will continue to play their part in the recognition of human achievements whether it be in the corporate sphere or on the sports field.