Also called Cupid (Roman), Amor (Roman).
Their story
In Hesiod, Eros is one of the first powers to arise after Chaos, the fairest of the gods, who loosens the limbs and overcomes the mind of gods and mortals. Later poets made him the son of Aphrodite, a winged boy whose arrows cause sudden love. At Thespiae in Boeotia his oldest image was an unworked stone. The story of Eros and Psyche is told in full only in Apuleius's Latin novel.
Best times to give to them
- The fourth day of the lunar month, held sacred to Eros, Aphrodite, Hermes and Heracles in Athens
- The Erotidia, his festival at Thespiae
- At the start of a relationship
What they like being given
- Roses or other flowers
- Honey
- Sweet cakes
- A love poem, read aloud
How to honour them
- Ask Eros for honest desire, not for control over another person's heart.
- Keep a rose or a small winged figure on the altar you share with Aphrodite.
- Write down what you truly long for, then read it back kindly.
How they can help you
- Understanding desire
- Warmth between partners
- Creative longing
Symbols
- bow and arrows
- wings
- lyre
- rose
The Eros and Psyche story is Roman-era (Apuleius, Metamorphoses 4-6), not early Greek myth.
Sources
- Hesiod, Theogony 120-122
- Plato, Symposium
- Pausanias, Description of Greece 9.27.1
More Greek gods
- Zeus King of the gods and keeper of oaths
- Apollo Lord of light, music and prophecy
- Hermes Swift messenger and guide of travellers
- Hades Lord of the underworld and giver of wealth
- Dionysus Twice-born god of wine, theatre and ecstasy
- Poseidon Earth-shaker and lord of the sea
- Helios The all-seeing sun who crosses the sky
- Pan Goat-footed god of shepherds and wild places