Cupid

As Valentine’s Day approaches, ideas of hearts, love and happiness start swirling around. Well, at least on the merchandise in the stores. One of the most fascinating aspects of Valentine’s Day is that chubby little icon Cupid. Now Cupid was not always chubby and little. Below are 8 interesting facts about Cupid.

Interesting Facts About Cupid

1. In Greek Mythology, Cupid was known as Eros who was portrayed as a slender young man with wings; however, following the Hellenistic Age that ended about 31BC when Rome conquered Greece, he was portrayed as the chubby little boy we are most familiar with today. In Latin, Cupid goes by two names that have different origins, but whose meanings are both associated with love. One of Cupid’s Roman names is Cupido. Cupid’s other Latin name is ‘Amor’.
2. Many experts in the world of folktales and movies believe that the currently popular “Beauty and The Beast” is a modern-day version of the story of Eros (Cupid) and Psyche. While Eros is always shown with wings, Psyche whose name means ‘soul’ is depicted as a beautiful butterfly.
3. Do you know the source of power of Cupid? His bow and arrow. The person will have an uncontrollable desire when Cupid shot his arrow on a deity or a person.
4. Cupid’s arrows are a well-recognized symbol of the god but did you know he has two different types? According to legend, Cupid’s Golden Arrow stood for true love while his Leaden Arrow stood for sensual passion. This explains why Cupid was associated with many different types of love, including romantic and erotic.
5. Cupid was very popular during the Middle Ages. Christian influence changed his nature to both heavenly and earthly love. Medieval and Renaissance artists would often depict him as a small figure with adult facial features. Moving forward in history, Cupid remained a popular subject for Baroque and Rococo painters well into the 18th century. But, as time passed, he continued to get more and more childlike in the paintings.
6. In the late 1700s, Cupid finally made his transition to greeting cards when the first commercial Valentine’s cards began popping up in England. Cupid would also appear alongside short poems on cards often anonymously sent to paramours.
7.  Valentine’s cards began appearing more regularly in the late 18th century and took off in the 19th century. Victorians loved Valentine’s Day, but they also loved modesty. This is when Cupid began to be clothed in depictions of him.
8. Throughout the first half of the 20th century, Cupid retained the childlike image he attained back in the Renaissance, sometimes appearing as an actual infant instead of a young boy. We will also see him in a diaper today, due to our need for modesty when selling consumer goods.

Photo by Michelle Leman from Pexels