Cupid
Cupid, the Roman god of love, is a popular symbol of Valentine's Day. Roman mythology states that he shoots people with arrows to make them fall in love.1
Fast Facts
- Greek counterpart: Eros1
- Has wings1
- Commonly depicted as a nude or diapered child1
- Uses a bow and arrows1
- Name derived from Latin Cupido meaning desire1
- Also called Amor1
- Son of Roman Goddess Venus1
History of Psyche and Cupid
The Roman Goddess Venus was jealous of the beauty of Psyche and sent her son Cupid to make Psyche fall in love with the ugliest man in the world. Cupid fell in love with Psyche and carried her off to a secluded place. Cupid had forbidden her to ever look at his face but one night she lit a lamp and looked at him while he was asleep. Since she disobeyed him, Cupid abandoned her. Psyche wandered throughout the world searching for Cupid. Psyche was finally reunited with Cupid and was made immortal by the Roman God Jupiter.2
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