symbol vs laurels

symbol and laurels both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
symbol	Yes	No	No	No
laurels	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, laurels is a hyponym of symbol; that is, laurels is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than symbol:

symbol: an arbitrary sign (written or printed) that has acquired a conventional significance
laurels: a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction

symbol (noun)	laurels (noun)
something visible that by association or convention represents something else that is invisible	a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
an arbitrary sign (written or printed) that has acquired a conventional significance	the state of being honored