A Guide to Eros: The Greek God of Love
Eros, the Greek god of love and desire, is a powerful yet enigmatic figure in mythology. Often associated with passion, attraction, and the primal force of love, he plays a crucial role in Greek cosmology and storytelling. This Floristry guide explores his origins, myths, symbolism, and cultural significance.
1. Who Is Eros?
Origins and Identity
Eros (Ἔρως) is the Greek god of love, desire, and attraction. His name means "desire" or "passionate love," and he is often depicted as a force that influences both gods and mortals, making them fall in love or experience deep longing.
Depending on the myth, Eros has different origins:
Primordial Deity – In Hesiod’s Theogony, Eros is one of the first beings to emerge from Chaos, alongside Gaia (Earth) and Tartarus (the Underworld). In this version, he represents the cosmic force of love and creation.
Son of Aphrodite – In later myths, particularly those of Homer and later poets, Eros is described as the child of Aphrodite (goddess of love) and either Ares (god of war) or Zeus/Hermes. In this version, he is more of a playful, mischievous deity.
2. The Myths of Eros
Eros and Psyche: The Ultimate Love Story
One of the most famous myths involving Eros is the story of Eros and Psyche, found in Apuleius’ The Golden Ass (a Roman text, but based on earlier Greek myths).
Psyche, a mortal woman, was so beautiful that people began to worship her instead of Aphrodite.
Out of jealousy, Aphrodite sent Eros to make Psyche fall in love with a hideous creature.
However, when Eros saw her, he fell in love himself and secretly married her, only visiting her at night and forbidding her from looking at him.
Psyche, curious and tricked by her jealous sisters, looked upon him while he slept, breaking his trust.
After enduring trials set by Aphrodite, including a journey to the Underworld, Psyche proved her love.
In the end, Zeus made her immortal, and she and Eros were united forever.
This story symbolizes the trials of love, trust, and the journey to eternal devotion.
Eros as a Mischievous Matchmaker
Eros was often portrayed as using golden arrows to make people fall in love and lead arrows to cause indifference or rejection. This was seen in various myths, including:
Apollo and Daphne – Eros shot Apollo with a golden arrow (making him fall madly in love) and Daphne with a lead arrow (causing her to reject him completely).
Hades and Persephone – In some versions, Eros played a role in Hades falling for Persephone, leading to the creation of the seasons.
3. Symbols and Iconography
Eros is commonly depicted as:
A young, winged god – Representing the fleeting and unpredictable nature of love.
Holding a bow and arrows – Golden arrows inspire love, while lead arrows create coldness.
Sometimes blindfolded – Symbolizing the blindness of love and how it strikes unexpectedly.
In early Greek art, he was portrayed as a handsome youthful deity, but in later periods (influenced by Roman mythology), he became a chubby child-like figure—the inspiration for Cupid.
4. Eros in Modern Culture
Eros' influence continues in various ways:
Valentine’s Day Symbolism – The modern Cupid comes from Eros' image in later Roman tradition.
Art and Literature – Countless paintings, poems, and stories depict Eros and Psyche’s love story.
Psychology – Sigmund Freud used "Eros" to describe the life instinct, the drive for love, creativity, and survival.
5. The Legacy of Eros
Eros embodies both passionate love and chaos, reminding us that love is unpredictable, powerful, and sometimes beyond our control. Whether seen as a primordial force of creation or a mischievous god playing with emotions, Eros remains one of mythology’s most enduring figures.
Would you like suggestions on how to incorporate Eros' symbolism into modern romance?
