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In this article, Angie explains how the concept of cupid came to be.
Cupid's origins
Cupid's origins
By Angie Dixon
By Angie Dixon
Cupid, the cherubic figure synonymous with Valentine’s Day, originates from both mythology and romantic folklore. His image—a youthful, winged boy wielding a bow and arrow— has become an emblem of love in the States, as his enchanted arrows are believed to bewitch individuals with love. However, the tale of Cupid himself is rooted in ancient Roman mythology and Greek tradition.
For instance, in Roman mythology, Cupid, whose name derives from the Latin word Cupido, is the God of affection and erotic love. As the son of Venus, Cupid was granted innate abilities regarding match-making skills and attraction. Additionally, his often cunning and envious nature-- coupled with the fiery spirit of his father, Mars-- influenced Cupid to be more of an impish deity, mischievously twisting the fate of lovers in whichever way he sees fit. Britannica states that, although Cupid was mostly amicable, at his worst, “he was considered mischievous in his matchmaking. This mischief often directed by his mother, Venus.” Thus, it is apparent that his mother, Venus, had an impact on the personality of Cupid, although his occasional benevolence is likely from his father. Despite being the goddess of beauty, Venus has proven herself to be a remarkably jealous woman, who often misuses her authority over her son to exploit his magic abilities. One example of this behavior is illustrated in one of the most famous Roman tales, Metamorphoses by Lucius Apuleius. It involves Cupid and Psyche, a mortal woman whose beauty rivaled that of Venus. Overcome with jealousy, Venus commanded Cupid to make Psyche fall in love with a hideous creature to punish Psyche for nearly surpassing Venus’s own beauty. A website dedicated to exploring art history, Art Story Walks, writes how Venus, feeling “jealous and furious of this comparison, told her son Cupid (Eros or Love) to make Psyche fall in love with the ugliest man on earth, striking her with one of his arrows.” However, upon seeing Psych, Cupid was so struck by her beauty that he accidentally pricked himself with his own arrow and fell in love with her instead of following his mother's requests. Cupid and Psyche even ended up marrying.
Moreover, the Greek counterpart to Cupido was Eros. The names differ because Romans took the Greek gods and their stories, adapting the characters' names to fit with the Latin language. However, the stories and characters generally stayed the same despite the translation. Eros was the original Greek name, and Cupid was the Latin renaming. He was portrayed with comparable powers to Cupid, although he carries a far more complex persona. In earlier Greek myths, Eros was a primordial god, embodying the primal force of attraction that sparked creation itself. According to Theoi Project, a website devoted to exploring mythology, “The poet Hesiod first represents him as a primordial deity who emerges self-born at the beginning of time to spur procreation. The same poet later describes two love-gods, Eros and Himeros.” Over time, however, he evolved into a singular and playful figure, more aligned with the romantic Cupid that is recognizable today.
Whether Cupid is depicted as a pudgy infant with angelic wings or a youthful man, the history of his character reflects humanity's fascination with love-- its joys, challenges, and intrigue. His complex history derives from several sources, but his current image is well-beloved by many, especially as Valentine's Day nears.
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