Epic Love or an Epic Red Flag?

Greek myths incarnate the three primal human attitudes: war, tragedy, and love. It may sound out of place in such a trio, but nothing is more tragic than a love lost or a love torn by war, and nothing is more glorious than a love story that succeeds. Love took such a pivotal place in Ancient Greece that there were more gods representing love than there were for war. Out of 7 love deities, the most known may be Aphrodite and Eros (whose Roman counterpart was named Cupid). These two certainly play pivotal roles in most Greek love stories: Odysseus and Penelope, Eros and Psyche, Orpheus and Eurydice… These stories not only encapsulate the beauty and complexity of love but also reflect the values and cultural attitudes of ancient Greek society. So let’s explore this love in its many forms—loyalty, sacrifice and desire; but with a little twist! Let's see what today's society would think of these actions… is it an Epic love or an Epic red flag?

The epic tale of Odysseus and Penelope, found in Homer’s "Odyssey", may not be the most tragic of Greek loves but it certainly may have been the most challenged. Odysseus, a hero of the Trojan War and King of Ithaca, embarked on his journey home after leading the Greeks to victory in Troy. Meanwhile, Penelope remains in Ithaca, fending off persistent suitors who seek to claim her hand, still hopeful her great love will come home. Little did they know, Odysseus would earn the wrath of Poseidon which would turn his journey into a 10 year long fight against monsters, nymphs and gods alike. Their story is steeped in themes of loyalty and patience. Penelope's faithfulness - despite Odysseus’ two acts of adultery at sea - is remarkable; she cleverly delays her suitors’ demands to remarry by declaring she would marry once she had finished her final tapestry. Weaving during the day and unraveling it at night. Penelope and Odysseus are soulmates; rivals only to themselves in intelligence and championed by Athena herself. However, the romanticization of Penelope’s waiting can lead to the unrealistic expectation that love should endure without question. After all, this smart, beautiful, and loyal queen spent 17 years waiting for her husband (who swayed more in his loyalty) to return from war, raising their child alone and fending off dozens of men all searching to break down her door and become her King. While their reunion is glorious and triumphant, it also underscores the idea that maybe patience is not always enough to hold together love. Penelope may not have faced the horrors her husband did, but she was equally tested in her will and love. Green forest for the queen of Ithaca, but as for its king? The flag is as red as the blood he’s spilt.

Eros and Psyche are a whirlwind of love, jealousy, and transformation. Theirs is a story that tests the boundaries of devotion and self-worth. Eros, the god of love, lust, desire and sex, is sent by his mother (Aphrodite) to punish the mortal Psyche. Why would Aphrodite do such a thing? Well she is very easily offended - especially when the almighty goddess’s beauty is threatened. And threatened it was, for everyone in Psyche’s kingdom saw her as the most beautiful princess of all. But in a twist of fate (or perhaps divine irony), Eros falls in love with Psyche instead, defying his mother’s cruel command to trick the poor girl into falling in love with the ugliest man to live. Instead, he abducts her to his palace with the help of the wind god Zephyrus. What follows is a love story steeped in trials and betrayal. Psyche’s curiosity - her fatal flaw - leads her to break Eros’s one rule: never to look upon him for she could not know his true identity. Her breaking his vital rule sends their relationship into chaos, forcing Psyche to win back his trust; but not from Eros, she must prove to his mother, the hateful Aphrodite, that she is worthy of her son. Her trials, from sorting grains to descending into the underworld, are not just tests of love but also of her own resilience and growth. Yet, while their reunion and Psyche’s eventual transformation into a goddess are triumphant, the story raises some modern “eyebrows”. Is love really about enduring suffering to prove your worth? Can true love stem from poisoned roots (an evil mother and a mission of hatred)? Should one have to face impossible trials to be deemed deserving of love? Psyche’s story, while inspiring, also romanticizes the idea that love demands sacrifice and hardship. After all, should love be a battlefield? Or should it be a sanctuary? Overall, I would still deem their love story… an Epic one (with at least a little emotional baggage)!

The myth of Orpheus and Eurydice is definitely a haunting love story about the lengths we go to for those we cherish. Orpheus, the legendary musician whose melodies could charm even the gods, falls deeply for Eurydice, a nymph ‘as radiant as the dawn’. But their love, beautiful as it is, is very fragile and it meets a tragic fate when Eurydice is bitten by a venomous snake and dies on their wedding day. Devastated by grief, Orpheus ventures into the underworld, his music lulls Cerberus - the three headed guard dog of the underworld - and is so moving it softens the heart of Hades and Persephone themselves. In an act of rare mercy, the god of the dead grants Orpheus a chance to bring Eurydice back to life, but with one cruel condition: he must not look back at her until they safely reach the surface. What follows is both a testament to love’s power and a reflection of its fragility. Orpheus’s faith is tested in the most excruciating way, and though his devotion is undeniable, his humanity betrays him. Overcome with doubt, he glances back to ensure Eurydice is truly behind him, only to lose her forever in that single, heartbreaking moment. Their story is not just a tale of love lost but also a profound commentary on trust and the burdens love can impose. The man was so consumed by despair and torment at Eurydice’s death that he faced the god of the Underworld himself. Orpheus’s failure feels almost inevitable and yet he still hoped to marry the love of his life should he simply not look at said love. The Fates themselves might have had a hand in his failure, offended by his attempt to bypass their decision to cut the thread of Eurydice’s life. Or perhaps the greater moral is that love is often destroyed by the only force to rival it: itself. She is eternally gone because he loved her too much to glance away. The story of Orpheus and Eurydice, while tragic, is a powerful reminder that love is not immune to the flaws and fears of the human heart. Ultimately, the myth reveals that the underworld may be tragic but even in despair love can grow strong even if it doesn’t win in the end.

Now these are only three glorious myths from the chapter of our history that is recounted in Greek mythology. But they are three stories that each highlight how love may not always be as black and white as Epic or Tragic. They all have a little mix, and, yes, some carry more of one than the other, but that is a story for you! Personally, I know which love stories I would rather experience (something quieter like Alcyone and Ceyx - before an angry Zeus kills Ceyx with a thunderbolt to his ship and she throws herself at sea to join him in death…) but each one has something valuable to offer. So the next time you are looking for an interesting romance to discover, skip over Romeo and Juliet and check out a Greek myth. But don’t forget to wonder… is it an Epic love or an Epic red flag?

Love in its Sweetest Form

Chocolate has always been seen as an expression of love: a sweet and beautiful representation of the affection that people give their partners on Valentine’s Day. But have you ever wondered why that is? The symbolism behind chocolates originated from what was actually a clever marketing campaign that slowly and carefully associated chocolate with romance, turning it into a timeless symbol of love.

Throughout the years, chocolate has become an inseparable part of Valentine's day due to the brilliant marketing strategies that have made connections between chocolate and love. From Richard Cadbury’s innovative heart-shaped boxes in the 19th century to modern campaigns by companies like Dove, the development of the marketing of chocolate showcases the creation of a tradition. Today, chocolate is more than just a sweet treat. It’s a symbol of affection and love as well as a universal Valentine’s Day gift. 

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Cadbury#:~:text=5%20External%20links-,Career,for%20Valentine's%20Day%20in%201868.

https://delysia.com/blog/love-and-chocolate/?srsltid=AfmBOop5q7pNSDN424MWMzW-pfDG2mKQ3eLV4utMtJWEzekuNWoWzqH-

https://delysia.com/blog/love-and-chocolate/?srsltid=AfmBOop5q7pNSDN424MWMzW-pfDG2mKQ3eLV4utMtJWEzekuNWoWzqH-

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/how-chocolate-and-valentines-day-mated-life-180954228/#:~:text=A%20marketing%20genius%2C%20Cadbury%20began,the%20turn%20of%20the%20century

Valentine's Day Across The Globe

“What are you doing for Valentine’s Day?” A frequent question we get asked as this special occasion nears. However, have you ever thought about how different cultures may celebrate this holiday or why this holiday happens?

There are many myths and roots for this special occasion and how we came about to celebrate it. For example, it has been said that this holiday stems from the Roman Festival of Lupercalia, which is usually held in mid-january. This celebration included fertility rites as well as the pairing of women with men by lottery (until The Pope, Gelasius I, forbade it) and is sometimes attributed with St. Valentine’s Day, however the origins can be very vague. It is said that Valentine’s Day was not celebrated as a day of romance until after the 14th century. Another common myth is that St. Valentine defied the emperor's orders and discreetly married couples to spare husbands from war, which is why this date is associated with love. 

Although we don’t know where this holiday comes from, we do know that there are countless ways that it’s celebrated around the world. For example, it is common for Americans to celebrate on February 14th and exchange gifts such as: cards, flowers and chocolates. However, many countries around the world don’t celebrate in the same fashion or even on the same day. Certain countries celebrate Valentine’s day differently because of their cultures and different views on love. Take Wales. Since the 16th century, they’ve celebrated this ‘day of love’ on January 25th. They call it the “day of San Dwynwen”, where many couples often exchange unique and beautifully handcrafted wooden spoons to each other. 

Valentine’s Day has gotten more popular over the years in the Czech Republic, although it’s celebrated as “The Day of Love” on May 1 instead of February 14. It’s become a tradition for couples to visit the statue of Czech poet Karel Hynek Macha, situated near a cherry tree grove. As if this celebration of poetry wasn’t romantic enough, the lovers kiss under the boughs of the cherry trees for good luck.

In Germany, a pig may represent love and lust. So it's very common to see couples share statues of pigs, stuffed animals, ginger cookies featuring loving phrases in icing and more.

Across the Philippines, thousands of couples participate in mass weddings held on February 14. Almost everything, from the wedding banquet to the venue, and sometimes even the gifts, is covered by the local government.

Italians celebrate “La Festa Degli Innamorati” in commemoration of Juno, the Goddess of Women and Marriage. Old-school tradition says that the first man a single woman sees on February 14 will become her husband (or at least look like him). It’s common to gift romantic partners with those well-loved Perugina Baci chocolates - delectable chocolate candies with a hazelnut or sweet cherry center covered by wrappers featuring poetic sentiments.