Eros
In the oldest myths, Eros was a primordial force — one of the first beings to emerge from Chaos, the power that draws all things together. Later reimagined as Aphrodite's mischievous son.
The Meaning of Eros
Eros had two very different identities in Greek mythology. In Hesiod's ancient cosmogony, Eros was one of the primordial deities who emerged at the beginning of creation — a fundamental cosmic force that drove all beings toward union and reproduction. Without Eros, nothing could come together; the universe would remain inert.
In later mythology, Eros was reimagined as the son of Aphrodite and Ares (or Hermes) — a beautiful, winged youth armed with a bow and arrows. Those struck by his golden arrows fell madly in love; those hit by his lead arrows were filled with aversion.
His most famous myth is his love for the mortal princess Psyche. Eros visited Psyche only in darkness, forbidding her from seeing his face. When curiosity led her to light a lamp, a drop of hot oil woke him and he fled. Psyche wandered the world searching for him, completing impossible tasks set by Aphrodite, until Zeus reunited the lovers and made Psyche immortal.
Children
Hedone (Pleasure)
Symbols
Fun Fact
The word "erotic" comes directly from Eros — relating to sexual love and desire.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth. See our full guide to English words from Greek mythology.
Explore Further
God of Love
💭 conceptLove, desire, attraction, passion
Eros wields a bow whose golden arrows ignite irresistible love and whose lead arrows cause revulsion.
Eros and Psyche
💭 conceptNarrative
The love story between the god of desire and a mortal princess that became an allegory of the soul's journey
Erotic
💭 conceptDesire, sensuality, romantic passion
Relating to sexual love or desire, from Eros, the god of love and attraction.
Eros
💭 conceptThe primordial force of desire that drives all creation
In Hesiod's cosmogony, Eros was not a cherub but a primordial force — the desire that compels all things to come together and create.
Cupid
⚡ godLove, desire, attraction
Roman god of erotic love and desire, son of Venus, equivalent to the Greek Eros
Plato
💭 conceptPhilosophy, myth, forms
Athenian philosopher who both critiqued traditional myths and created powerful new ones in his dialogues
Morpheus
💭 conceptGod of dreams
The god of dreams who appeared in the sleeping visions of mortals, taking human form. Son of Hypnos (Sleep), he shaped the dreams of kings and commoners alike.
Hippolytus and Phaedra
💭 conceptNarrative
A tragedy of forbidden desire, false accusation, and divine cruelty destroying an innocent young prince
Narcissistic Personality
💭 conceptPsychology and mythology
A psychological condition characterised by grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy, named after Narcissus, the beautiful youth who fell in love with his own reflection
Eros
⚡ godGod of love and desire
The Olympian Eros was the mischievous winged god of love — son of Aphrodite, whose golden arrows caused irresistible desire and whose lead arrows caused revulsion.
Uranus
💭 conceptAstronomy and mythology
The seventh planet from the Sun, named after Ouranos, the primordial Greek god of the sky and the earliest supreme deity in the mythological genealogy
Apollo and Daphne
💭 conceptNarrative
The god's relentless pursuit of a nymph who chose transformation into a laurel tree over submission