HISTORY OF CUPID



Cupid is the most famous of Valentine symbols. He is
known as a mischievous, winged child armed with bow
and arrows. He shot darts of desire into the bosoms of
both gods and men causing them to fall deeply in love.
Cupid has always played a role in the celebrations of love
and lovers. In ancient Greece he was known as Eros the
young son of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty.
To the Roman's he was Cupid, and his mother was Venus.

One legend tells the story of Cupid and the mortal maiden
Psyche. Venus was jealous of the beauty of Psyche, and
ordered Cupid to punish the mortal. But instead, Cupid fell
deeply in love with her. He took her as his wife, but as a
mortal she was forbidden to look at him.

Psyche was happy until her sisters convinced her to look at
Cupid. Cupid punished her by leaving and their lovely
castle and gardens vanished with him. Psyche found herself
alone in an open field. As she wandered trying to find her
love, she came upon the temple of Venus. Wishing to
destroy her, the goddess of love gave Psyche a series of
tasks, each harder and more dangerous then the last.

For her last task Psyche was given a little box and told to
take it to the underworld. She was told to get some of the
beauty of Proserpine, the wife of Pluto, and put it in the
box. During her trip she was given tips on avoiding the
dangers of the realm of the dead. She was also warned not
to open the box. Temptation overcame Psyche and she
opened the box. But instead of finding beauty, she found
deadly slumber. Cupid found her lifeless on the ground. He
gathered the deadly sleep from her body and put it back in
the box. Cupid forgave her, as did Venus. The gods,
moved by Psyche's love for Cupid made her a goddess.





Back To The Valentines Day Greeting
Valentines Day Fun Facts
The History of Valentines Day
The History of Cupid
How To Say I Love You In Any Language
Romance Tips
Love Potions, Charms & Spells



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Added: January 26, 1999.

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