Struck by Love

As love fills the air and hearts are everywhere, a mystical baby boy and his bow fly around hitting people with arrows of love. Cupid, the Roman god of love and attraction, is a widely known figure of Valentines Day. If hit with one of Cupid’s bows, the person will instantly fall in love with Cupid’s chosen person. 

From the Start

Originally, Cupid came from the Greek god Eros, the god of Love. Eros was famous for being the son of Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty. Similar to Cupid, Eros had a bow and arrow used to strike gods and mortals, intending to toy with their emotions. 

Roman mythology retold Eros’s story, turning him into Cupid. 

Wikipedia found that stories say Cupid’s mother, Venus, became so jealous of the gorgeous mortal Psyche, that she ordered him to strike her. His mother’s plan was to force Psyche to fall in love with a horrible monster using Cupid’s arrows. Instead, Cupid fell in love with her himself. They later married under the condition that she could never see his face. When Psyche eventually looked at him, he fled, but once she reunited with him, she was granted immortality with Cupid.

Why Cupid?

As Valentine’s Day grew more popular in the 18th century, Cupid’s love connected with the holiday spirit. Manufacturing companies and artists began to profit off the cute chubby version of cupid. He was commonly placed on Valentine’s cards, which are a big part of the holiday’s culture. As postal services became more accessible, Cupid’s popularity grew as more cards were sent out.

Companies wanted to pull buyers in with a lovable character, so it was common for artists to depict Cupid as a cute creature rather than a great god.  These card companies disregarded the true origin and story of Cupid in order to make profit. Time Magazine stated, people all over the world felt Cupid was a natural fit for the holiday, allowing the “love” to be spread. The idea of Cupid is romanticized among people now more than ever. Seen across romance movies, art, books, and products, he is a powerful marketing tool.

Heart eyes

As Cupid’s popularity began to grow, the true meaning and history of him began to fade. Cupid’s symbolism was discarded and turned into an adorable figure. Reader’s Digest notices people were drawn to the idea of others falling in love because of this lovable baby boy. Cupid is seen everywhere during the holiday to promote romantic gestures. He is mainly seen for his abilities to attract others, gaining the interest of hopeless romantics despite his true colorful past. 

Reader’s Digest finds sometimes people need a little push in order to pursue a romantic connection, especially during this season. Cupid offers this push by influencing the idea of fate and soulmates. Being able to express love and friendship is important. Modern culture expresses romantic ideas in an open way more so now than it has ever been. Having a deep connection with someone is important to recognize and celebrate.