By: Marcia King-Gamble
The concept of love through the ages is nothing new.
Anthropologists have studied over 200 societies and come to the conclusion
that Romantic Love is truly universal.
Some say Romantic Love began way back in France in the 12th century when
troubadours or singing minstrels wandered the streets singing ballads. The oldest love poem dates back four thousand years to ancient
Sumeria when Queen Inanna fell in love with a shepherd boy, Dumusi, whom she
called, My Beloved—the Delight of her eyes. Love crosses all class lines and ethnicities.
In ancient Greece we have Psyche falling in love with Eros whom she whispers to: “I love you. I love you desperately, I love you more then myself.”
A seventh century Arabic legend has Majnum and Layla falling in love despite feuding families. Tragically, they both die young and like Romeo and Juliet they die of love.
A twelfth Century Chinese fable has Chang Po eloping with Meilan, the daughter of a high level official, but
because of class differences it didn’t end well. She was
buried alive in her father’s garden when caught. Definitely morbid.
Guatemala has its own love story. Deep in the jungle is a
temple built in 700 AD by the greatest Mayan Sun King. This temple was built as a tribute
to the wife he loved and whom unfortunately died young. Her temple faces his. They now exist in eternity together.
The concept of love and falling in
love hasn't changed that much. Today, we seek love out in different
ways. The Internet and dating sites make it possible for people to cast
their nets wide. But is our search for love really all that different today? Two couples (friends) living in
completely different cities or countries, often promise their offspring to the other, and that's way before the baby is born Is that so much different from families in India selecting suitable mates for their children?
In Europe, and the United States royals and the wealthy, handpick mates of similar classes.
Today is Valentine’s Day and we are talking about love in its various shades and forms.
True love that leaves you breathless and transforms you. The kind of love that
most of us hope for and some find. The man on the white horse that sweeps you off your feet.
The woman who leaves us weak-kneed and speechless. In the words of Juliet - “Romeo,
Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?”
He & she are everywhere. Isn't there a little Romeo and Juliet in all of us? We just need to believe in everlasting love and one where the ending isn’t so tragic.
Speaking of love, here's a sweet Valentine's story from my backlist. https://amzn.to/3rMLcJd
Happy Valentine’s Day All! Love is in the air, not just today, but every day.
About
Marcia King-Gamble
USA bestselling romance writer,
Marcia King-Gamble originally hails from a sunny Caribbean island where the sky
and ocean are the same mesmerizing shade of blue. This former travel industry
executive has spent most of life in the United States. A National Bestselling
author, Marcia has penned over 34 books and 8 novellas. She has contributed to
Michael Fiore’s DigitalRomanceInc and served as a moderator on the now defunct eHarmony
advice boards. Having witnessed the bad,
the ugly, and the not so good in relationships, she still prefers to write about
happily ever after. Caring for her animal family keeps her grounded and sane.
Visit Marcia at www.lovemarcia.com
or “friend” her on Facebook: http://bit.ly/1MlnrIS
Be sure to join her newsletter mailing
list.
4 comments:
Great history lesson! Always love learning something new and a love poem four thousand years old was only one tidbit I gleaned from your post. May your Valentine's Day be filled with love, your favorite chocolate, flowers and maybe a bottle of champagne. You deserve it all!
Wonderful post! I love how long these traditions have lasted. Have yourself a day that is as special as you are!
Thanks Judith. It's been a wonderful Valentine's Day so far. I hope yours is equally as delightful. You have such kind words. Raising a glass to you!
Thank you Kathleen. Happy Valentine's Day to you and Steel. So happy to have you as a friend.
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