Eros is the Greek god of love, desire, and attraction, often depicted as a youthful, winged figure whose arrows could ignite passion or longing in gods and mortals alike. In early Greek mythology, Eros was considered a primordial force—a cosmic power that emerged at the dawn of creation. In this version, found in Hesiod’s Theogony, Eros is one of the first beings to exist, alongside Chaos and Gaia, embodying the generative power of love that brings harmony and creation into the world. As a primordial deity, Eros represented a vast, impersonal force rather than a personal god.

Later Greek poets and artists reimagined Eros as the mischievous and charming son of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, and often associated him with playful or chaotic romantic entanglements. In this more anthropomorphic and popular version, Eros became a central figure in many myths involving the manipulation of hearts and relationships. One of the most enduring myths involving Eros is his romance with Psyche, a mortal woman whose beauty rivaled that of Aphrodite. After many trials and divine interventions, Psyche was granted immortality, and the two were united in eternal love—a tale that symbolized the union of physical desire and the soul.

Eros was not only a mythological figure but also held a place in religious and philosophical thought. In some philosophical traditions, particularly in the works of Plato, Eros was seen as a motivating force that drives the soul toward beauty, truth, and ultimately the divine. This more abstract interpretation elevated Eros from a capricious archer of romantic chaos to a fundamental force of aspiration and transformation.