Cupid, that winged little devil that shoots arrows of desire and passion, is one of the most prominent symbols of Valentine’s Day. He aims his arrows at gods and mortals alike causing them to fall deeply in love.
If you read the Greek version Cupid is Eros the son of Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty, and if you read the Roman version he is the son of Venus, goddess of love.
I decided to take a closer look at Cupid. His story:
The legend goes that Venus was jealous of Psyche, who was a beautiful mortal, and
Venus ordered Cupid to punish Psyche. Instead Cupid fell deeply in love and married Psyche. Since she was a mortal she was forbidden to look upon Cupid or any of the gods or goddesses.Eventually Psyche’s sisters talked her into looking at Cupid, and she was punished by losing Cupid’s love and her castle and lovely gardens. She was forced to wander aimlessly through empty fields searching for her true love, Cupid.
( Statue -Cupid wakes Psyche from deadly slumber)
One day she came upon the temple of Venus, and Venus gave her tasks to do. The last task was for Psyche to travel to the underworld and gather some of the beauty of Persephone, wife of Pluto, and put it in a box. She was told how to avoid the dangers of the realm of the dead and to not open the box, but deliver it to Venus.
Psyche did open the box and instead of beauty it was full of deadly slumber.
Eventually Cupid found her deep in a deadly sleep. The story goes he was heartbroken and gathered the deadly sleep from her lifeless body putting it back in the box. Cupid and Venus forgave her for looking at Cupid. The other gods, so moved by Psyche’s love for Cupid, agreed to make her a goddess that she might look upon her husband, Cupid, for the rest of their days.
Wow! That’s some kind of story, love, jealousy, conflict, forgiveness, a quest and hoops to jump through, all the makings of a good romance.
When you hear the twang of Cupid’s arrow leaving the bow, remember he’s been there.
This year do something different for Valentine’s Day. Instead of the commercial candy, card and flowers, plan a special time with your loved one.
Pack a picnic and you pick out the spot, a park, beach, in front of the fireplace at home or maybe a tail gate party for two in the snow. Just the two of you spending time together without the interruptions of daily life can be one of the most wonderful gifts of all. You can still bring candles and a bottle of sparkly to make it a delightfully festive time.
The key to having a wonderful Valentine’s Day is creativity and not just money.
Write a loving message on the bathroom mirror with your red lipstick, and start the day off right!
What is your most memorable Valentine’s Day with your honey, family or friends, or how do you plan to spend Valentine's Day this year?
(Leave comment with your e-mail address to be eligible for a Valentine’s surprise)
10 comments:
Fun info, Diana. When the kids were at home I'd make heart-shaped pancakes for breakfast on Valentine's day and we had a heart shaped cake for desert that night.
For my hubby it's a large heart-shaped chocolate chip cookie or mini heart-shaped brownies that I make. We keep Valentines day simple because we figure it's only one day our of the 365 we show each other we love them.
Hi Diana, Valentine's Day is another holiday whose energy (the thoughts and feelings about that special someone are foremost in my mind) is beneficial year round. While I do enjoy that special remembrance on V.Day, when it come for no real reason is it even more special. My treasurers include notes from my granddaughters; my memories include my notes back. Telling people of all ages they are loved is one of the most important things we can do. Costs nothing, uses few resources (a little air), takes seconds to do but the rewards are endless.
One year my husband taught a cooking class on valentine's day, He designed a special menu and I read romantic excerpts from some of my favorite authors. No one ever signed up for another class. Easy come. Easy go.
No, actually it went great.
Loved it!
Paty, I bet the kids loved the heart shaped pan cakes. And heart shaped brownies now that's something I hadn't heard of before. I know my husband would love them! It sounds like you take good care of your sweet heart.
Judith, It is nice you have such wonderful memories.
Nancy, A cooking class on Valentines Day, I love it! And you reading excerpts from your favorite authors it seems to me that would qualify as a really unique Valentines Day together.
Romance and food, it doesn't get any better than that.
RHS(Lisa) Thanks for stopping by!
My most memorable Valentine's day present was a Cedar hope chest. My husband bought it for me for our second Valentine's Day (we got married the following December.) Now it's full of keepsakes from our forty-year marriage.:)
This Valentine's Day I plan to take my husband out for a romantic dinner followed by dessert at home. 'Nuff said!
I love that he bought you a Cedar hope chest. He certainly had love on his mind! Congratulations on a wonderful marriage and lasting relationship. Valentines Day, you go girl!!
Great post, Diana. I love looking into the myths and backgrounds of holidays. Cupid and Psyche are a great story because they have a happy ending. Love conquers all. Too bad all the stories don't end like that!
Marie :)
Glad you enjoyed it, Marie. I really enjoy reading about myths and legends. I hadn't read the story of Cupid and Psyche until I began researching subject matter for this post. Thanks for stopping by.
would love to have had a marraige like that
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