Apollo's silver bow and arrow represent his defeat of the monster Python. Python was a serpent who lived near Delphi, considered the center of the earth. In a frenzy of jealousy over Zeus' infidelity with Leda, Hera sent Python to chase Leto away: at the time, Leto was pregnant with the twins Apollo and Artemis, and their birth was delayed. When Apollo was grown, he shot the Python with arrows and took over Delphi as his own shrine.
