As Valentine’s Day approaches, chances are you’re seeing more of Cupid than usual. You can find images of this winged figure on hundreds of cards and decorations, and he's often holding a bow and arrow. But who is Cupid? And what does he have to do with Valentine's Day? To answer this question, we have to go back thousands of years to the ancient world.
Roman and Greek Mythology
The ancient Romans worshipped many gods and goddesses and believed these deities controlled aspects of their lives. According to their mythology, Cupid was the god of desire, love, and attraction. He was the son of Venus, the goddess of love, and often depicted as a young boy holding a bow and arrow. The ancient Romans believed anyone shot by one of Cupid's arrows would fall in love.
However, like much of Roman culture, the ancient Romans did not invent this god of love. They borrowed him from ancient Greece! Cupid was inspired by the Greek god Eros. Like Cupid, Eros was armed with a bow and arrows of love. He could also shoot leaden arrows, making people dislike one another. As the story goes, Eros's arrows were so powerful that he could make gods fall in love.
Terracotta statuette of Eros flying, Greek, Asia Minor, Myrina, ca. 200–150 BCE.
Image credit: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
At first, Eros was depicted as a handsome young man. As the centuries passed, however, the winged god was portrayed as a younger, mischievous boy. The ancient Romans adopted the story of Eros to create the Roman god: Cupid.
Psst! Want to learn more about ancient Rome and Greece? Be sure to check out our kids magazine. Explore Issue 4 | Story of an Empire and Issue 17 | An Age of Legends.
Cupid and Valentine’s Day
Did you know Valentine's Day wasn't always widely celebrated? (You can learn more about its history on our blog here.) By the 19th century, people started to show more interest in the holiday. Victorians were familiar with the ancient story of Cupid, the god of love. As people began exchanging cards with their loved ones, many of these cards featured images of the winged god. Over time, Cupid and his arrows became central symbols of Valentine's Day.
19th-century valentines depicting Cupid, 1850-1870.
Image credit: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
We hope you enjoyed this bit of Valentine's Day history! Now, let's spread the love with some Honest History Valentine's Day cards. Print, cut out, and share your favorite messages with your friends, family, and admirers in your life.
