Eros in Greek Mythology: Origin story, myths, symbols, depiction, and powers - World History Edu (2024)

In ancient Greek pantheon and religion, Eros, the god of love, was believed to be a primeval god born to Chaos. However, in a different account, Eros is seen as the son and constant companion of the Greek goddess of love and beauty Aphrodite. He is generally depicted as a chubby infant or a handsome youth with a mischievous personality. To the ancient Romans, Eros was the equivalent of the Roman god Cupid.

Eros: facts

God of: love, fertility, sexual desire

Parents: Aphrodite, or Aphrodite and Ares, or Aphrodite and Uranus

Siblings: Anteros, Pothos, Himeros

Consort: Psyche

Daughter: Voluptas (or Hedone)

Symbols: bow, arrows, ram, rose,

Association: Himeros, Pothos

Festival: the Erotidia (the festivals of Eros)

Roman Equivalent: Cupid, Amor

Worship places and cult center: Thespia, Boeotia

With regard to his physical attributes, he is often shown as a beautiful winged youth. For example, many Hellenistic era artists usually depicted him as an infant. The Romans knew Eros as Cupid. Image: Eros and his siblings Pothos (longing) and Himeros (Desire)

Origin Story

According to ancient Greek poet Hesiod, Eros was one of four primary divine beings that emerged at the beginning of time. Thus he emerged alongside Chaos (Gap), Gaia (Earth), and Tartarus (darkness). In this account, Eros was not born. Hesiod goes further to describe Eros as the fairest of all those divine beings. He offers advice to the gods and men.

According to the pre-Socratic Greek philosopher Parmenides of Elea, Eros was the first of all the gods to arrive. In some accounts however, he is described as the offspring of Nyx (Night), a primordial deity.

Perhaps the most popular origin story of Eros is the one which places him as the son of the Greek goddess of beauty and sexual love, Aphrodite, and the Greek god of war, Ares.

Apollonius of Rhodes’s Argonautica

Eros and Aphrodite

Aphrodite, Eros and the Erotes, Greco-Roman fresco from Pompeii C1st A.D., Naples National Archaeological Museum

Some authors argued that Eros was not the offspring of Aphrodite. Instead he was a close companion of the goddess; Eros is believed to have witnessed the birth of Aphrodite. Due to the close relationship that exists between those two deities, later authors re-imagined him as the goddess’s offspring.

When depicted as the son of Aphrodite and Ares, Eros is considered the brother of three winged deities of love – Pothos, Anteros, and Himeros. Eros and those deities make up the Erotes, a group of love deities in Greek mythology.

Eros and Himeros (Desire)

In Hesiod’s Theogony, the god Eros is associated with Himeros (Desire) and the goddess of beauty and sexual love, Aphrodite. Eros was said to have been present at the time of Aphrodite’s birth. Due to Eros’ frequent association with Aphrodite, some ancient Greek writers described Eros and Himeors as the offspring of Aphrodite. In those accounts, he is seen as a very mischievous and pigheaded child of the goddess.

Depictions

Going by the popular account which places Eros as the offspring of Aphrodite, the god of love is often depicted as a handsome youth or an infant child. Often times he appears in the company of Aphrodite or his three other siblings – Himeros, Anteros, and Pothos. In some cases, he is depicted alongside Greek gods Hermes and Dionysus, the Charites, and the Muses.

There are also popular artworks that show him as winged plump child or baby (putto) with a blindfold. When he is not depicted wielding bow and arrows, he can be seen holding sash or a flower.

Often depicted as a bow-armed boy, Eros, the Greek god of love, usually accompanies deities like Pothos, Aphrodite, Himeros, Dinysus, Tyche, and Peitho, the Charites or Muses. In ancient Greece, it was not uncommon to have Eros’s statue and Hermes’s statue placed in front of a gymnasia. Later poets in ancient Greece and Rome sometimes depicted him as a blindfolded child.

Eros and Anteros

In some accounts of the story, Eros and his sibling Anteros are considered rivals. Anteros, the god of requited love, is said to punish people who don’t return the love other people shower on them. Unlike Eros who wields bow and arrows, Anteros carries golden club or lead arrows.

Symbols

According to ancient Greek playwright Euripides, Eros possesses a magical bow and a quiver that contains arrows that he uses to ignite love in people and gods.

In addition to the bow and arrows in a golden quiver, Eros was associated with a number of items, including, the ram, rose, and golden wings.

In the myths, his golden arrow was his go-to weapon when he wanted to spark love in the heart of people. All he had to do was shoot the arrow into the person’s heart.

Powers and abilities

In some accounts, Eros as a primordial being is credited with helping in the creation of the world. The power of his love helped in bringing balance and harmony in the chaotic environment that existed at the beginning of time.

In Plato’s Symposium, Eros as a cosmic entity is described as the oldest god. He possesses an immense amount of power as his arrows could cause a rational thinking being to be consumed by erotic feelings. This explains why he was known as the god of sensual love. This ability of his made him wield some bit of influence over the gods. It was said that he has the ability to tame wild animals and shatter Zeus’ thunderbolts.

Unbeknownst to many, Eros’ quiver contained two types of arrows. The first type, which have golden tip, when struck at the individual kindles love in the heart; on the other hand, the second type of arrows, which are believed to have lead in the tip, prevent the individual from falling in love.

Roman poet Nonnus’ Dionysiaca 48. 470 ff – a Greek epic of the 5th century AD

Eros and Apollo

In one of the myths, Apollo, Greek god of music, the sun and literature, incurs the displeasure of Eros after mocking the god of love. To get back at Apollo, Eros shot his love-igniting arrow at Apollo. He then shot his lead-tipped arrow at Daphne, making the mortal impervious to love advances of Apollo.

Role in the pantheon

In Hesiod’s Theogony, Eros emerged after Chaos, Gaia (Earth), and Tartarus (abyss). Image: Chariot of Aphrodite drawn by Eros and Himeros, Athenian red-figure hydria C5th B.C., National Etruscan Museum

In Greek mythology, Eros is credited with imbuing in the gods passion and love. He is said to have ignited the flame of love in not just hearts of the gods, but also in human hearts.

The Erotes

In addition to carrying a lyre or bow and arrow, many of the Erotes in Greek mythology are known to be associated with symbols such as dolphins, flutes, roosters, roses, and torches. Image: Aphrodite and chariot of Erotes, Greco-Roman mosaic from Thuburbo Majus 4th A.D., Bardo National Museum

In Greek mythology, the Erotes refer to a group of very youthful love and sexuality deities with wings. The number of Erotes varies, depending on which account one looks at. Greek gods Eros, Himeros, and Pothos (Passion) often feature heavily in the Erotes. Over time, the Erotes multiplied in the works of writers and poets. Other members of the Erotes include, Anteros (Mutual Love), Hermaphroditos, (god of hermaphrodites), Hymenaios (god of wedding ceremony). In Roman mythology, the Erotes are known as Cupides, who were also known as patrons of sexual love.

Eros and Psyche

The story of Eros and Psyche ranks up there as one of the most famous in Greek mythology. The story begins with the goddess Aphrodite having a tremendous amount of jealousy because the mortal princess Psyche was receiving more attention than the goddess. Men from all over Greece would throng Psyche’s home to worship her for her beauty.

An enraged Aphrodite commanded her son Eros to make Psyche fall in love with the ugliest creature on Earth. Just as Eros was about to fire his gold-tipped arrow at the beautiful mortal, he accidentally scraped himself with the arrow. Eros then completely fell in love with Psyche, and the two moved away to live together in secret. Their happy-ever-after life came under serious threat when Psyche’s jealous sisters made Psyche betray Eros, causing the god of love to leave.

A heartbroken Psyche proceeded to roam the Earth looking for Eros. She goes to Aphrodite and asks for help so that she could win back the love of her life. The goddess subjects Psyche to a series of very challenging tasks, which the determined mortal successfully completes. The gods then help Psyche to reunite with her husband Eros.

For her determination and devotion to Eros, Psyche is made immortal by the gods. The two then live happily ever after. Together with Eros, Psyche gives birth to a daughter called Voluptas (Hedone), the goddess of bliss and sensual pleasure.

Meaning

Eros’s name comes from the Greek word for “love” or “desire”.

More on Eros in Greek mythology

  • Compared to the cult of Aphrodite, Eros’s cult was not as widespread. In the late antiquity period, he was mostly worshiped as a fertility deity in Thespiae.
  • Similar to Greek deities Hermes, Aphrodite and Heracles, Eros’ sacred day fell on the fourth day of every month.
  • In one account of the myths, Eros is said to dwell in between light and darkness; and in between the angels and people.
Eros in Greek Mythology: Origin story, myths, symbols, depiction, and powers - World History Edu (2024)

FAQs

Eros in Greek Mythology: Origin story, myths, symbols, depiction, and powers - World History Edu? ›

Specifically, Eros is considered the god of love, passion, and fertility. In early Greek mythology, he is usually represented as a beautiful, winged youth carrying a bow and arrow. He also sometimes carries a wreath for victory, a lyre (harp), a hare, or a whip. Depictions of Eros changed through time.

What are Eros symbols in Greek mythology? ›

Eros was depicted as often carrying a lyre or bow and arrow. He was also depicted accompanied by dolphins, flutes, roosters, roses, and torches.

What is the story of Eros in Greek mythology? ›

The story tells of the princess Psyche (meaning “soul” in Greek), whose beauty had earned her the jealousy of Aphrodite. In her envy, Aphrodite sent her son Eros to cause Psyche to fall in love with a hideous monster. But when Eros glimpsed Psyche, he fell in love with her himself.

What is the Greek concept of Eros? ›

Eros – from the ancient Greek ἔρως – meaning “love” or “desire” (in a sexual or passionate way).

What are Eros powers? ›

Telekinesis: Eros has the ability to move objects & mortals with his mind. Conjuration: Eros has the powers to conjure anything or any being he wants. Shape shifting: Eros has the ability to alter his appearance to take whatever form he likes whether mortals or monsters or Gods.

What are the depictions of Eros? ›

Specifically, Eros is considered the god of love, passion, and fertility. In early Greek mythology, he is usually represented as a beautiful, winged youth carrying a bow and arrow. He also sometimes carries a wreath for victory, a lyre (harp), a hare, or a whip. Depictions of Eros changed through time.

What powers would a child of Eros have? ›

Children of Eros have the ability to control emotions to an extent, best at love, though able to extend to the opposites of love, such as hatred and more by inflicting less of love. Children of Eros are excellent at persuading, or deceiving others, enhanced beyond human average.

What was Eros role as a god? ›

Eros and the Creation of the World

He played a crucial role in the creation of the world and the cosmos, bringing order and harmony. His essence bound the world together, making him not just a god of romantic love but a fundamental force of creation.

What is Eros's sacred animal? ›

Eros's sacred animal is the hare. Eros had only one child, Hedone, with Psyche the charming maiden. Hedone was the goddess of pleasure, desire, and enjoyment. She was the only child of Psyche as well.

Is Eros a boy or girl? ›

Eros is a baby boy name of Greek origin, meaning “love” or “desire.” In ancient Greek mythology, Eros is known as the god of love and desire, and is said to be the son of the goddess of love and fertility, Aphrodite.

What is the spiritual meaning of Eros? ›

Eros is ultimately the desire for wholeness, and although it may initially take the form of passionate love, it is more truly a desire for "psychic relatedness", a desire for interconnection and interaction with other sentient beings.

What does Eros stand for? ›

: the Greek god of erotic love compare cupid.

What are the symbols of Eros? ›

Although his most famous symbol is the bow and arrow, Eros had lots of different symbols, here's a handy list of them all:
  • Bow and Arrow.
  • Flute or Lyre.
  • Hare.
  • Roses.

What is the myth of Eros? ›

The myth of Eros and Psyche is probably one of the best love stories in classical mythology. Eros, son of Aphrodite, was the personification of intense love desire and he was depicted throwing arrows to people in order to hit their heart and make them fall in love.

What is the story of Eros about? ›

According to all the myths, Eros was beautiful, but also a permanent source of trouble for both the gods and the mortals. He appeared and threw his arrows, causing insane love and at the same time, suffering to people. Nevertheless, he suffered from a common mortal, Psyche.

What weapon is the Eros symbol? ›

He often appeared as a winged infant carrying a bow and a quiver of arrows whose wounds inspired love or passion in his every victim. He was sometimes portrayed wearing armour like that of Mars, the god of war, perhaps to suggest ironic parallels between warfare and romance or to symbolize the invincibility of love.

What flower represents Eros? ›

For example, the God of Love Cupid (Eros in Greek mythology) was often depicted carrying roses. Even today, they remain one of the most iconic symbols of passionate love.

What animals represent Eros? ›

Eros's sacred animal is the hare. Eros had only one child, Hedone, with Psyche the charming maiden. Hedone was the goddess of pleasure, desire, and enjoyment. She was the only child of Psyche as well.

Why is Eros symbol the bow and arrow? ›

He made people fall in love by shooting an arrow into their heart. Eros himself lost his heart to the breathtakingly beautiful Psyche, the daughter of a king. In art Eros is often portrayed as a winged and chubby boy with a bow and arrow. Such a figure is also known as a 'putto'.

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