Eros (disambiguation) facts for kids

Eros is a name with several meanings, but it is most famously known as the Greek god of love. In ancient Greek stories, Eros is often shown as a mischievous young god who carries a bow and arrows. These arrows can make people fall deeply in love. The name "Eros" also refers to a type of passionate love, and it has been used for other things, like an asteroid in space and even a famous singer.

Eros: The Greek God of Love

Eros is a very old and important god in Greek mythology. He is usually known as the son of Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty and love, and Ares, the god of war. However, some ancient stories say he was one of the very first gods to exist, born from Chaos (the empty space before creation) and Gaia (Earth).

What Does Eros Do?

Eros is often described as a winged boy or young man. His main job is to make people fall in love. He does this by shooting special arrows. If someone is hit by a golden arrow, they fall in love. If they are hit by a lead arrow, they feel dislike or hatred. This makes him a powerful god who can cause both great joy and sometimes sadness. He is often seen as playful and sometimes a bit mischievous.

Famous Stories About Eros

One of the most famous stories about Eros is with a beautiful princess named Psyche. Aphrodite, Eros's mother, became jealous of Psyche's beauty. She told Eros to make Psyche fall in love with a monster. But instead, Eros accidentally pricked himself with one of his own arrows and fell deeply in love with Psyche. Their story is about trust, challenges, and eventually, their happy union.

How is Eros Shown?

In art and literature, Eros is often shown with wings, a bow, and a quiver full of arrows. Sometimes he carries a torch, which symbolizes the burning flame of love. He is usually depicted as a young, handsome figure, sometimes even as a baby or a small child, especially in later Roman art where he is known as Cupid.

The Idea of Eros: Different Kinds of Love

Beyond the god, "Eros" is also a Greek word that means passionate or romantic love. The ancient Greeks had several words for different kinds of love:

• Eros: This is the feeling of passionate, romantic, or physical love. It's about strong desire and attraction.
• Philia: This means friendly love or affection, like the love between friends or family members.
• Agape: This is a selfless, unconditional love, like love for humanity or a deep spiritual love.
• Storge: This is natural affection, like the love parents have for their children.

So, when people talk about "Eros" as a concept, they are often referring to that intense, romantic kind of love.

433 Eros: An Asteroid in Space

The name Eros is also used for a real object in space! 433 Eros is a large asteroid. An asteroid is a small rocky body that orbits the Sun. 433 Eros was discovered in 1898 and was the first known asteroid to cross the orbit of Mars. It's shaped a bit like a peanut and is about 34 kilometers (21 miles) long. Spacecraft have even visited it, like the NEAR Shoemaker probe, which landed on it in 2001.

Eros Ramazzotti: A Famous Singer

Eros Ramazzotti is a well-known Italian singer and songwriter. He was born in 1963 and became famous in the 1980s. He is known for his unique voice and his romantic pop-rock songs. He has sold millions of albums around the world and is especially popular in Italy, Europe, and Latin America.

See also

In Spanish: Eros (desambiguación) para niños