Valentine's Day: A Guide to the Greek vs. Roman Gods of Love

The gods of love in both Greek and Roman mythology share many similarities, as the Romans largely adopted and adapted Greek myths and deities. However, there are key differences in their names, roles, and symbolism. This Hong Kong florist guide explores the Greek and Roman gods of love, highlighting their similarities and distinctions.

1. Greek Gods of Love

Eros

Eros (Ἔρως) is the Greek god of love, desire, and attraction. He is often depicted as a young, winged figure with a bow and arrows, which he uses to make gods and mortals fall in love. According to Greek mythology, Eros was one of the primordial deities that came from Chaos, representing the cosmic force of attraction that created harmony between the elements and beings.

• Eros’ Characteristics:

  • Symbolizes romantic love and passion.

  • Sometimes portrayed as a mischievous god, shooting golden arrows to cause love and lead arrows to cause rejection or indifference.

  • In the myth of Eros and Psyche, he falls in love with the mortal woman Psyche, leading to a long and challenging relationship filled with trials.

Aphrodite

Aphrodite (Ἀφροδίτη) is the Greek goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. She plays a central role in many myths about love and passion. Aphrodite was born from the sea foam, making her an important figure associated with both divine love and earthly desires.

• Aphrodite’s Characteristics:

  • Symbolizes physical beauty, sensuality, and romantic love.

  • Often depicted as a beautiful, ethereal woman, and sometimes as a motherly figure nurturing love.

  • Aphrodite was the mother of Eros (the god of love) with her partner Ares, the god of war.

2. Roman Gods of Love

Cupid

Cupid is the Roman counterpart to the Greek Eros. He is the god of love, desire, and attraction, depicted as a mischievous, winged child who shoots arrows to incite love and passion. Though he started as a relatively minor deity in Roman mythology, Cupid became more prominent over time, especially in art and literature.

• Cupid’s Characteristics:

  • Symbolizes the playful and unpredictable nature of love.

  • Depicted as a winged, chubby child with a bow and arrows, much like the modern image of Valentine’s Cupid.

  • Cupid plays an active role in many myths, including the famous story of Cupid and Psyche, where he falls in love with the mortal woman Psyche, leading to a series of trials and their eventual union.

Venus

Venus is the Roman goddess of love, beauty, and fertility, much like the Greek Aphrodite. Venus was also deeply connected to the Roman ideals of romantic love, physical attraction, and sexuality, and she was a key figure in various legends, including the birth of Aeneas, a Trojan hero and an ancestor of the Romans.

• Venus’ Characteristics:

  • Represents beauty, sensuality, and fertility.

  • Often depicted as a graceful and stunning woman, embodying both love and sexuality.

  • Venus was the mother of Cupid (like Aphrodite is the mother of Eros) and shared many aspects with Aphrodite in her role as a goddess who governs love and beauty.

3. Key Differences Between Greek and Roman Gods of Love

Names

• Greek: Eros (God of love and desire), Aphrodite (Goddess of love and beauty).

• Roman: Cupid (God of love and desire), Venus (Goddess of love and beauty).

Personality and Depictions

• Eros (Greek) is often depicted as a young adult god, representing both passionate love and the chaotic, uncontrollable nature of love. In contrast, Cupid (Roman) is typically portrayed as a mischievous, chubby child who represents playful love and has less of the gravity and depth seen in his Greek counterpart.

• Aphrodite (Greek) is seen as a more mature and ethereal goddess of love, representing physical beauty, sensuality, and fertility. Venus (Roman) shares these same traits, but in Roman mythology, Venus also has a greater connection to Roman civic values and the founding of Rome.

Mythological Roles

• Eros in Greek mythology is sometimes an independent god, while Cupid in Roman mythology became more of a servant to Venus, acting more as a playful tool of her will.

• The Aphrodite-Venus duality: Aphrodite’s role as the goddess of beauty and love ties into the idea of divine and mortal love, while Venus’s role in Roman culture also carried strong associations with national pride, as she was considered the mother of Aeneas, who in turn was the progenitor of Rome.

4. Influence on Modern Culture

Both Eros and Cupid have left a lasting legacy in modern society, especially around romantic celebrations like Valentine’s Day. While Cupid is the more commonly recognized figure in contemporary culture, especially in Western traditions, Eros' impact remains profound, especially in literature and art.

• Cupid is now synonymous with Valentine’s Day, represented as a winged child with arrows that cause love to bloom between couples.

• Eros is seen as the symbol of intense, passionate love, often used to refer to romantic or even sexual attraction.

Conclusion: Greek vs. Roman Gods of Love

Though the Greek gods of love (Eros and Aphrodite) and the Roman gods of love (Cupid and Venus) share similar domains and qualities, their personalities, roles, and cultural significance differ. While the Greek gods are rooted in the abstract, cosmic forces of love and beauty, the Roman gods take on more practical and national symbolism, tying the idea of love to Rome’s foundational myths and civic virtues.

The gods of love, whether Greek or Roman, continue to influence how we view and celebrate romantic love, shaping our cultural and artistic depictions of what it means to fall in love.