Cupid is an image we see a lot when valentines come around. He has his bow and heart that he strikes people “with love.” But where did this come from? How is he associated with Valentine’s Day? 

Cupid came from the history of mythology. He is the Roman God of love. He is also associated with the Greek gods as it was said his wife was the Psyche, the god of souls. His mother was Aphrodite, who is also seen as a god of love. 

Cupid’s power is all in his bow. His bow is depicted with a heart on the end and he would hit people with it to give them the ability to love someone unconditionally. An interesting fact with this is he didn’t just use this power for love and happiness, he would use it as a punishment. He would make these people love someone or something that did not want them and he made this love so uncontrollable. This power did not last long as the Romans wanted a less aggressive “God of Love”; this is why he is depicted as a cherub baby(child).         

So how did Cupid become involved with Valentine’s Day? Valentine’s Day is associated with a Roman festival, Lupercalia(Festival of Love). It became tradition in about the mid-18th century to trade cards at this festival of love. The Romans naturally associated the God of Love with these cards. These cards had depictions of Cupid and they would give them to the people they loved. 

In all, Cupid wasn’t always hearts and roses but in the end, he was. He was what Valentine is about, loving one another. He wanted everyone to feel what love is like, turning his powers for only good is why he is so associated with Valentine.