Cupid
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In Roman mythology, Cupid (Latin cupido) is the god of erotic love. He is equated with the Greek god Eros, and another one of his Latin names Amor (cognate with Kama). In popular culture Cupid is frequently shown shooting his bow to inspire romantic love, often as an icon of Valentine's Day.
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[edit] Cupid's lineage
There are differing stories about Cupid's parentage. Cicero provides three different lineages: son of Mercury (Hermes) and Diana (Artemis), son of Mercury and Venus (Aphrodite), and son of Mars (Ares in Greek mythology) and Venus. Plato mentions two of these, and Hesiod's Theogony, the most ancient Greek theoography, says that Cupid was created coevally with Chaos and the earth.
Throughout ancient mythological writing, there appear to be either two Cupids or two sides to the figure of Cupid. One is the son of Jupiter (Zeus) and Venus. He is a lively youth who delights in pranks and spreading love. The other is a son of Nyx and Erebus, known for riotous debauchery.
[edit] Cult
Cupid's cult was closely associated with that of Venus, with Cupid being worshipped as devotedly as she. Additionally, Cupid's power was supposed to be even greater than his over the dead in Hades, the creatures of the sea and the gods in Olympus. Some of the cults of Cupid suggested that Cupid as son of Night and Hell mated with Chaos to produce both men and gods, making the gods love the godesses more than anyone.
[edit] Portrayal in art and literature
In painting and sculpture, Cupid is often portrayed as a nude (or sometimes diapered) winged boy or baby armed with a bow and a quiver of arrows. The Hindu Kama also has a very similar description. The traditional Christian depiction of a cherub is based on him. On gems and other surviving pieces, he is usually shown amusing himself with childhood play, sometimes driving a hoop, throwing darts, catching a butterfly, or flirting with a nymph. He is often depicted with his mother (in graphic arts, this is nearly always Venus), playing a horn. He is also shown wearing a helmet and carrying a buckler, perhaps in reference to Virgil's Omnia vincit amor or as political satire on wars for love or love as war.
Cupid figures prominently in ariel poetry, lyrics and, of course, elegiac love and metamorphic poetry. In epic poetry, he is less often invoked, but he does appear in Virgil's Aeneid changed into the shape of Ascanius inspiring Dido's love. In later literature, Cupid is frequently invoked as fickle, playful, and perverse. He is often depicted as carrying two sets of arrows: one set gold-headed, which inspire love; and the other lead-headed, which inspire hatred.
The best-known story involving Cupid is the tale of Cupid and Psyche.
[edit] Other Media
- Cupid appears in such operas as Orfeo ed Euridice and Orphée aux Enfers.
- Cupid appeared in Toothless portrayed by Thomas Crawford.
- Cupid appears as a character in The Fairly OddParents voiced by Tom Kenny. He resides in Fairy World.
- In The Nightmare Before Christmas: Oogie's Revenge, Cupid was one of the captive victims of Oogie Boogie in his quest to become the Seven Holidays King.
- Cupid appeared in an episode of American Dragon: Jake Long voiced by Nestor Carbonell.
- Cupid appeared in on episode of hercules played by Karl Urban.
- Cupid is seen in The Santa Clause 2 and The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause portrayed by Kevin Pollak. He is a member of the Council of Legendary Figures.
- The song "Cupid's Chokehold" by Gym Class Heroes.
- The Song "Cupid" by Sam Cooke.
- The Song "Stupid Cupid" (featured in "The Princess Diaries" Soundtrack) by Mandy Moore.
- The Song "Cupid" by Jack Johnson
- Cupid was portrayed by Jeremy Piven in the ABC series "Cupid" from 1998-1999.
- Cupid was portrayed by Victor Webster in the WB series, "charmed," though he was lovingly called "Coop."
[edit] See also
- Roman mythology
- Eros
- Kama, the god of love in Hinduism.
- Apollo and Daphne
- Love at first sight
- Cupid (holiday character)
