Corporate awards might be a thing that have only sprung up in relatively recent years, but trophies and awards in general have been around for a large number of years. The most obvious exemplory case of instances where trophies have been an important section 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 where 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 were presented to winners throughout history are a demonstration of the significance that individual or group recognition plays in the human psyche.
It is interesting to note the development in the forms 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 even greater significance begun to become standard.
Vases filled up with precious olive oil were presented to winners in the early days of the Olympic Games and even later, vases on tripods and bronze shields soon became the standard. Later again, silver cups were given as an indicator of the prestige which individual achievements were held.
In ancient Roman times the awards took on sustained significance when money replaced trophies, especially in gladiatorial contests. But the recognition of achievement were still maintained through perpetual trophies handed from winner to win with each passing event.
Even sporting events that have been held in England in the Middle 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 might be held by the neighborhood community. Indeed, it was not uncommon for the winners of these events to eventually achieve sustained standing with the award of land.
Symbolic gestures have become a common thread throughout human history and trophies have grown to be a vital part, not only in Western culture however in many other countries around the globe 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 designed for the purpose.
Sporting achievements are also a common thread in our history where trophies have already been held in the highest esteem. Horse racing is synonymous with this particular and the history goes back to the 1600s in the Americas in which a small silver cup, later to become referred to as the Kyp Cup, was awarded to the winner of a horse race between two towns in New England.
As time passes many things change and the values inside our lives ebb and flow with the span of human history, but one thing is certain. see this page will continue steadily to play their part in the recognition of human achievements whether it be in the corporate sphere or on the sports field.