Eros

Eros, the Greek god of love and sex, appears in classical mythology in two distinct forms. In early traditions, he was viewed as a primordial deity, while later accounts describe him as one of the Erotes—a group of winged love gods born to Aphrodite and Ares.

Artistically, Eros was depicted either as a handsome young man or as a playful, mischievous boy, often accompanying his mother Aphrodite. In both representations, he bore his characteristic wings and carried a bow and arrows, which he used to inspire love in both mortals and gods. Although he appears frequently in mythological tales, usually working under Aphrodite's guidance to spark romance, he rarely takes center stage himself. The notable exception is the tale of Eros and Psyche, which recounts how he found and fell in love with his wife.

In art history, Eros and his Roman counterpart Cupid became associated with the figure of the Putto—a chubby, winged infant that influenced the development of the Cherub in Christian art. These artistic interpretations appeared throughout medieval and Renaissance religious artwork. The childlike, bow-wielding version of Eros/Cupid eventually evolved into the familiar symbol of Valentine's Day.