Cupid: The Mythical God of Love and Desire

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How did Cupid become Cupid?
And when the Romans conscripted the Eros mythology, they chose to bring over the more recent iteration of the god as a cute little kid. They named him Cupid, a synonym for Eros that also translates to “”desire.”” (His mother was likewise Venus, the Roman version of the Greek Aphrodite.)
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In mythology, Cupid is a well-known character who is frequently pictured as a winged infant holding a bow and arrow. But how did this little god come to represent desire and love? Let’s explore Cupid’s legendary antecedents.

Cupid was regarded as the deity of lust, erotic love, attraction, and tenderness in early Roman mythology. He was the child of Mars, the deity of war, and Venus, the goddess of love. It was common to have Cupid represented as a naughty god who could make anyone fall in love. This is the origin of the idiom “struck by Cupid’s arrow”.

But why is Cupid frequently portrayed as a child? According to legend, Cupid’s baby form represents how uncontrollable love is and how it may strike anybody, regardless of age or status. His wings also stand for the transient quality of love, which can vanish at any time.

Even though he appeared to be having fun, Cupid had feelings for himself. In actuality, Psyche, a mortal lady, captured his heart. However, there were difficulties in their relationship. Venus, the mother of Cupid, was envious of Psyche’s beauty and asked Cupid to trick her into falling in love with a repulsive monster. Instead, Cupid grew to love Psyche even more and assisted her in overcoming the challenges that stood in their way, which ultimately resulted in their marriage.

Why, therefore, is Cupid frequently portrayed as blind? In a few representations, Cupid is shown with a blindfold on. This symbolizes the notion that love is irrational and blind. It also represents the idea that falling in love with someone may not always be our first choice.

What is Cupid’s alternate name, finally? Greek mythology refers to Cupid as Eros. The word “erotic” actually derives from the Greek word “eros,” which denotes passion or desire.

In conclusion, Cupid is a fascinating mythological character with roots in classical Greek and Roman mythology. He has become a well-known representation of love and desire due to his amusing and naughty personality as well as his capacity to make anyone fall in love. His interesting mythology is further enhanced by his arrows, baby form, blindfold, and Greek name Eros.

FAQ
Does Cupid have a last name?

Cupid doesn’t have a last name, though. He goes by the name Cupid or Amor, which is Latin for “love,” in Roman mythology.