The myth of Apollo and Daphne, immortalized in Bernini’s breathtaking sculpture (1622-1625), is a story of desire, pursuit, and transformation. I first learned of the sculpture when I visited the Borghese Gallery in Rome in 2016. For nearly a decade it's been my favourite piece of art; striking in its capture of motion, expression, and delicacy. But beneath its dramatic surface, it offers profound lessons about love—both its beauty and its limits.

1. Love Cannot Be Forced

Apollo, struck by Cupid’s arrow, becomes consumed with desire for Daphne. Yet her heart remains untouched. Love that is one-sided, no matter how intense, will never bloom into true connection. Real love requires mutual choice, not just pursuit.

2. Desire Without Respect Leads to Loss

Apollo sees Daphne as an object of his longing rather than a person with her own will. His relentless chase drives her to seek escape—even at the cost of her own form. Love should empower and uplift, not overwhelm or take away another’s freedom.

3. The Fear of Love Can Lead to Avoidance

Daphne, cursed to reject love entirely, runs from it rather than face its possibilities. While self-preservation is important, closing oneself off completely can lead to transformation that is more escape than fulfillment. True love thrives in openness, not just protection.

4. Transformation is Inevitable in Love

Whether in pursuit or in retreat, love changes us. Daphne becomes a laurel tree, forever beyond Apollo’s grasp, yet honoured eternally. Apollo, in turn, learns reverence—adoring her in a way he never could before. Love, even when painful, shapes who we become.