From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The color wheel of love by John A. Lee
Ancient Greek philosophy differentiates main conceptual forms and distinct words for the Modern English word love: agápē, érōs, philía, philautía, storgē, and xenía.
List of concepts[edit]
Though there are more Greek words for love, variants and possibly subcategories, a general summary considering these Ancient Greek concepts is as follows:
- Agápe (ἀγάπη, agápē[1]) means «love: esp. brotherly love, charity; the love of God for person and of person for God».[2] Agape is used in ancient texts to denote feelings for one’s children and the feelings for a spouse, and it was also used to refer to a love feast.[3] Agape is used by Christians to express the unconditional love of God for His children.[4][non-primary source needed] This type of love was further explained by Thomas Aquinas as «to will the good of another».[5]
- Éros (ἔρως, érōs) means «love, mostly of the sexual passion».[6] The Modern Greek word «erotas» means «intimate love». Plato refined his own definition: Although eros is initially felt for a person, with contemplation it becomes an appreciation of the beauty within that person, or even becomes appreciation of beauty itself. Plato does not talk of physical attraction as a necessary part of love, hence the use of the word platonic to mean «without physical attraction». In the Symposium, an ancient work on the subject, Plato has Socrates argue that eros helps the soul recall knowledge of beauty and hehe
contributes to an understanding of spiritual truth, the ideal form of youthful beauty that leads us humans to feel erotic desire – thus suggesting that even that sensually based love aspires to the non-corporeal, spiritual plane of existence; that is, finding its truth, just like finding any truth, leads to transcendence.[7] Lovers and philosophers are all inspired to seek truth through the means of eros.
- Philia (φιλία, philía) means «affectionate regard, friendship», usually «between equals».[8] It is a dispassionate virtuous love, a concept developed by Aristotle.[9] In his best-known work on ethics, Nicomachean Ethics, philia is expressed variously as loyalty to friends (specifically, «brotherly love»), family, and community, and requires virtue, equality, and familiarity. Furthermore, in the same text philos is also the root of philautia denoting self-love and arising from it, a general type of love, used for love between family, between friends, a desire or enjoyment of an activity, as well as between lovers.
- Storge (στοργή, storgē) means «love, affection» and «especially of parents and children».[10] It is the common or natural empathy, like that felt by parents for offspring.[11] Rarely used in ancient works, and then almost exclusively as a descriptor of relationships within the family. It is also known to express mere acceptance or putting up with situations, as in «loving» the tyrant. This is also used when referencing the love for one’s country or a favorite sports team.
- Philautia (φιλαυτία, philautía) means «self-love». To love oneself or «regard for one’s own happiness or advantage»[12][full citation needed] has been conceptualized both as a basic human necessity[13] and as a moral flaw, akin to vanity and selfishness,[14] synonymous with amour-propre or egotism. The Greeks further divided this love into positive and negative: one, the unhealthy version, is the self-obsessed love, and the other is the concept of self-compassion.
- Xenia (ξενία, xenía) is an ancient Greek concept of hospitality. It is sometimes translated as «guest-friendship» or «ritualized friendship». It is an institutionalized relationship rooted in generosity, gift exchange, and reciprocity.[15] Historically, hospitality towards foreigners and guests (Hellenes not of your polis) was understood as a moral obligation. Hospitality towards foreign Hellenes honored Zeus Xenios (and Athene Xenia) patrons of foreigners.
See also[edit]
- Color wheel theory of love
- Diotima of Mantinea
- The Four Loves by C. S. Lewis
- Greek love
- Intellectual virtue – Greek words for knowledge
- Love
- Restoration of Peter
- Sapphic love
References[edit]
- ^ Liddell, Henry George; Scott, Robert (eds.). «ἀγάπη». A Greek-English Lexicon. Perseus. Tufts University.
- ^ Liddell, H. G.; Scott, Robert (October 2010). An Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon: Founded upon the seventh edition of Liddell and Scott’s Greek-English Lexicon. Benediction Classics. p. 4. ISBN 978-1-84902-626-0.
- ^ «Greek Lexicon». GreekBible.com. The Online Greek Bible. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
- ^ Romans 5:5, 5:8
- ^ «St. Thomas Aquinas, STh I-II, 26, 4, corp. art». Newadvent.org. Retrieved 2010-10-30.
- ^ ἔρως, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, on Perseus
- ^ Plato (1973). The Symposium. Translated by Walter Hamilton (Repr. ed.). Harmondsworth, Eng.: Penguin. ISBN 9780140440249.
- ^ φιλία, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, on Perseus.
- ^ Alexander Moseley. «Philosophy of Love (Philia)». Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
- ^ στοργή, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, on Perseus.
- ^ Strong B., Yarber W. L., Sayad B. W., Devault C. (2008). Human sexuality: diversity in contemporary America (6th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. p. 228. ISBN 978-0-07-312911-2.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link) - ^ Merriam-Webster dictionary.[verification needed].
- ^ See Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.
- ^ B. Kirkpatrick ed., Roget’s Thesaurus (1998) p. 592, 639.
- ^ The Greek world. Anton Powell. London: Routledge. 1995. ISBN 0-203-04216-6. OCLC 52295939.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
Sources[edit]
- «English-to-Greek». Perseus.
word search results for love
- «Definitions [of love]» (PDF). mbcarlington.com. Greek word study on Love. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-11-27.
Consider the many contexts for which people use the word “love.” You can love your mom for always protecting you and being on your side. You can love your best friend for laughing with you and being the first to answer your texts. You can also love your romantic partner in a far more intense, intimate, and passionate way than your other relationships. And while some people may be catching up just now, the ancient Greeks seemed to understand the concept well—in fact, Greek words for love abound.
Though all of these forms of love are driven by affection and attachment, they’re all distinct. There are seven words in the language that describe love in all its nuanced forms, rather than just applying one word to several contexts.
Below, learn about all seven Greek words for love. With any luck, you’ll be able to identify and experience each form in your lifetime—if you haven’t already.
The 7 Greek words for different types of love
1. Eros: romantic, passionate love
Eros is passion, lust, pleasure. It’s an appreciation for one’s physical being or beauty, and is driven by attraction and sexual longing. It describes desire and is most similar to what we think of as romantic, passionate love between life partners. At least in the earlier stages of courtship, when everything is wildly hot and you can’t get enough of each other, that is.
In Greek mythology, Eros was the son of Aphrodite, the goddess of love. “Eros, over time, may turn into a deeper type of love that encompasses a lot of the other types mentioned below, like philia, storge, agápe,” says Greek licensed marriage and family therapist Ekaterini Constantine, LMFT.
Usually, eros is directed toward another person, but you can (and should) also experience this with yourself, adds Constantine. “Simply put, exploring eroticism starts with oneself. A quick way to explore one’s eroticism is by being curious about one’s body.” From there, you can probably show someone eros by exploring their body.
2. Philia: intimate, authentic friendship
Philia is characterized by intimacy, knowing, and soul-to-soul bonds. It’s encouraging, kind, and authentic; the stuff from which great friendship is made, regardless of whether it’s with a platonic best friend or a romantic partner. This love is also based in good will, or wanting what’s best for the other person. Philia is a connection akin to that of soulmates; it’s one part destiny, another part choice.
“Philia, friendship, is a relationship that can be created between two or more people who may share core values such as love, faith, understanding, freedom, joy, honesty and commitment,” says Constantine. “Friendships are emotional in nature and are cultivated over time through mutual care.”
To show you care, then, you might consider doing a favor for a friend or going on an errand date with them, where you both can cross off things on your respective (and potentially overwhelming) to-do lists.
3. Erotoropia or ludus: playful, flirtatious love
According to Constantine, ludus is of Latin origin and is actually known as erototropia in Greek. “Erototropia is a child-like love that is sometimes seen in the beginning stages of romantic relationships,” she says, adding that it’s defined by playfulness.
This can also be a non-committal type of love—like when you banter with your best friend. To demonstrate this type of love, consider “engaging in playful conversation, laughter, teasing, dancing, flirting, seducing, and dancing,” says Constantine.
To be sure, though, erotoropia and ludus might also be the love you’d experience with a fling—casual, sexual, exciting, and with zero implications of obligation.
4. Storge: unconditional, familial love
“Storge is more like affection or a familial type of love and is a gentler experience of care,” says Constantine. “[It] makes you feel safe and cared for—and it’s not passionate
in nature.” You might love your sister, even if you don’t like her, for instance, and you might love your dad, despite the mistakes he made in raising you.
Storge is driven by familiarity and need and is sometimes thought of as a one-way love. For instance, consider a mother loving her baby before the baby is aware enough to love her back. Storge can also describe a sense of patriotism toward a country or allegiance to the same team.
To show that you feel this Greek term for love toward another, Constantine recommends listening reflectively, providing undivided attention, spending quality time, and showing
curiosity.
5. Philautia: compassionate self-love
Google Translate will tell you that philautia means “selfishness,” but this term is a little more nuanced than that. In fact, says Constantine, “self-compassion” might be a better term for this form of love. It encompasses two concepts: The first is that healthy, feelin’ yourself, care-based love that reinforces self-esteem, like buying yourself a new book as a gift for completing a big work project or putting on a face mask to relax and take care of your skin. But it doesn’t have to be materialistic.
“Self-compassion looks like giving yourself tenderness, nurturance, and understanding, cultivating self-awareness, listening, and honoring your body and its needs,” says Constantine. “A great way to start practicing philautia is through mindfulness, which is simply the act of focusing on what you’re sensing and feeling in the here and now without judgment.»
That said, Google Translate wasn’t completely off: The other concept is one of selfishness, which can be pleasure- and fame-seeking and highly concerned with status. It can even be the foundation of narcissism.
6. Pragma: committed, companionate love
Pragma is a love built on commitment, understanding, and long-term interests, like building a family. As mentioned above, over time, eros can turn into pragma as a couple grows to honor, respect, and cherish each other, accepting of differences and learning to compromise.
Pragma is everlasting love rooted in romantic feelings and companionship. “Pragma, in love terms, is a more values-based system one uses to find what we call ‘compatibility,’” Constantine says.
7. Agápe: empathetic, universal love
Agápe is love for others that’s inclusive of a love for God, nature, strangers, or the less fortunate. It’s generally an empathetic love toward humanity itself and is sometimes connected to altruism since it involves caring for and loving others without expecting anything in return. This sort of pay-it-forward love—people helping others selflessly—is the foundation of great societies and communities.
“Agápe is characterized by unconditional positive regard, acceptance, faithfulness and commitment,” says Constantine. “Becoming involved in one’s community by volunteering is an easy way to show this type of love,” she says.
So, the next time you talk about loving someone—as a friend, as a lover, as a human—consider keeping in mind the Greek words for love so you can articulate more precisely the unique shades of the single emotion.
Oh hi! You look like someone who loves free workouts, discounts for cutting-edge wellness brands, and exclusive Well+Good content. Sign up for Well+, our online community of wellness insiders, and unlock your rewards instantly.
What is love? People have had a hard time answering that question for a lot longer than you might think. In Ancient Greece, love was a concept pondered over by some of history’s most famous philosophers, including Plato and Aristotle. Greek philosophers attempted to explain love rationally and often categorized the different kinds of love people could feel. Because we love them so much, we brought together some Greek words—and a Latin one, for good measure—for the different kinds of love you might find out there.
eros
Original Greek: ἔρως (érōs)
Eros is physical love or sexual desire. Eros is the type of love that involves passion, lust, and/or romance.
Examples of eros would be the love felt between, well, lovers. Eros is the sensual love between people who are sexually attracted to each other. In the Bible, eros was synonymous with “marital love” because husbands and wives were supposed to be the only people having sex. Eros was also the name of a love god in Greek mythology—better known by his Roman name, Cupid—and was the guy responsible for shooting magic arrows at people to make them fall in love.
The word eros is still used in psychology today to refer to sexual desire or the libido. The words erotic and erogenous, which both have to do with sexual desire or arousal, are derived from eros.
Why do we express our love through valentines?
philia
Original Greek: ϕιλία (philía)
Philia is affectionate love. Philia is the type of love that involves friendship.
Philia is the kind of love that strong friends feel toward each other. However, it doesn’t stop there. The Greek philosopher Plato thought that philia was an even greater love than eros and that the strongest loving relationships were ones where philia led to eros: a “friends become lovers” situation. Our concept of platonic love—love that isn’t based on physical attraction—comes from this Platonic philosophy.
The word philia is related to the word philosophy through the combining form philo-. Philia itself is the source of the combining forms -philia, -phile, and -phily, all three of which are used to indicate a figurative love or affinity for something.
agape
Original Greek: ἀγάπη (agápē)
Agape is often defined as unconditional, sacrificial love. Agape is the kind of love that is felt by a person willing to do anything for another, including sacrificing themselves, without expecting anything in return. Philosophically, agape has also been defined as the selfless love that a person feels for strangers and humanity as a whole. Agape is the love that allows heroic people to sacrifice themselves to save strangers they have never met.
❤️Did you know … ?
Agape is a major term in the Christian Bible, which is why it is often defined as “Christian love.” In the New Testament, agape is the word used to describe the love that God has for humanity and the love humanity has for God. Agape was also the love that Jesus Christ felt for humanity, which explains why he was willing to sacrifice himself.
storge
Original Greek: στοργή (storgé)
Storge is familial love. Storge is the natural love that family members have for one another.
Of all of the types of love, storge might be the easiest to understand. It is the type of love that parents feel toward their children and vice versa. Storge also describes the love that siblings feel towards each other, and the love felt by even more distant kin relationships, such as a grandparent for a grandchild or an uncle toward a niece.
mania
Original Greek: μανία (manía)
Mania is obsessive love. Mania is the kind of “love” that a stalker feels toward their victim.
As a type of love, mania is not good, and the Greeks knew this as well as we do. Mania is excessive love that reaches the point of obsession or madness. Mania describes what a jilted lover feels when they are extremely jealous of a rival or the unhealthy obsession that can result from mental illness.
The Greek mania is the source of the English word mania and similar words like maniac and manic. It is also the source of the combining form -mania, which is often used in words that refer to obsessive behavior such as pyromania and egomania.
ludus
Original Latin: Bucking the trend, the word ludus comes from Latin rather than Greek. In Latin, lūdus means “game” or “play,” which fits with the type of love it refers to. One possible Greek equivalent is the word ερωτοτροπία, meaning “courtship.”
Ludus is playful, noncommittal love. Ludus covers things like flirting, seduction, and casual sex.
Ludus means “play” or “game” in Latin, and that pretty much explains what ludus is: love as a game. When it comes to ludus, a person is not looking for a committed relationship. People who are after ludus are just looking to have fun or view sex as a prize to be won. A “friends with benefits” situation would be an example of a relationship built on ludus: neither partner is interested in commitment. Of course, ludus may eventually result in eros—and hopefully not mania—if feelings of passion or romance emerge during the relationship.
The Latin lūdus is related to the playful words ludic and ludicrous.
pragma
Original Greek: πράγμα (prágma)
Pragma is practical love. Pragma is love based on duty, obligation, or logic.
Pragma is the unsexy love that you might find in the political, arranged marriages throughout history. This businesslike love is seen in relationships where practicality takes precedence over sex and romance. For example, two people may be in a relationship because of financial reasons or because they have more to lose by breaking up than staying together.
Pragma may even involve a person tolerating or ignoring their partner’s infidelity, as was common in politically motivated royal marriages in much of world history. Pragma may not sound all that great to many, but it is possible for pragma to coexist alongside other types of love, such as ludus or even eros.
As you might have guessed, pragma is related to pragmatic, a word that is all about practicality.
What’s the difference between pragmatic and dogmatic?
philautia
Original Greek: ϕιλαυτία (philautía)
Philautia is self-love. No, not that kind. Philautia refers to how a person views themselves and how they feel about their own body and mind.
The modern equivalent of philautia would be something like self-esteem (good) or hubris (bad). People with high self-esteem, pride in themselves, or a positive body image practice a healthy version of philautia. Of course, philautia has a dark side, too. Egomaniacal narcissists who think they are better than everybody else are also an example of philautia, but not in a healthy way. The duality of philautia just goes to show that love, even self-love, can often get pretty complicated.
Take the quiz
Now that you have learned the language of love that goes beyond “sweet nothings” and heart-shaped candies, head over to our quiz on these words for a hearty challenge.
What is the Greek word which means love?
Ancient Greek has three distinct words for love: eros, philia, and agape. The Modern Greek word “erotas” means “(romantic) love”. However, Eros does not have to be sexual in nature. Eros can be interperated as a love for someone who you love more than the Philia love of friendship.
What are the 3 meanings of love in Greek?
Eros – Philia – Agape: The Three Greek Words For LOVE In the Greek language there are three words that are used for love. The first one, eros, stands for sexual, romantic love. Eros is the kind of love mostly known by the world. The second word, philia, generally refers to affection between friends.
What are the 5 words for love in Greek?
Eros, Greek god of love and sex.
- Eros – Erotic love, love of beauty. Related to the modern Greek “erotas,” Eros speaks to sexual passion and intimate love.
- Philia – Friendly love, love between equals.
- Storge – Familial love, empathetic love.
- Philautia – Self love.
- Agape – Unconditional love, altruistic love.
What does 831 mean?
I Love You
What does 444 mean?
444 Is A Sign Someone Is Trying To Communicate With You [*] 444 is a number of protection and encouragement. It is a sign that you are currently following the right path. [*] If you see the number 444 repeatedly, it is often your angel giving you a sign that they are with you.
Is 831 an angel number?
Number 831 is a combination of the energies and influences of number 8 and number 3, and the vibrations of number 1. Angel Number 831 suggests that your determined efforts have manifested new opportunities for you to advance you along your soul’s journey and live your spiritual purpose. …
What does 459 mean?
What does 607 mean?
I Miss You
What does 829 mean spiritually?
The angel number 829 refers to discipline, ambition, construction and pragmatism. Through this divine sign, your angel seeks to communicate to you the secrets which should enable you to find happiness. The angelic message behind this inverted angel number is: “Someone is thinking of you and they miss you”.
What does 831 mean biblically?
Seek Freedom
What does 847 mean?
Number 847 is a number of encouragement that should motivate you to remain open to new opportunities as that will help you reach your Divine life purpose. Angel number 847 shows that all of our material needs will be met as long as we continue to trust and serve our life mission.
What are the angel numbers and what do they mean?
In numerology, angel numbers are a repetitive sequence of numbers—1111, for example—that are shown to you to convey a divine message. “When numbers appear repeatedly this can be the angels sending you messages and it is up to the receiver to work out what those messages mean,” explains Rose.
What does 836 mean spiritually?
Angel Number 836 may also be suggesting that a suitable new job, career or income earning opportunity may present itself to you in the very near future. Angel Number 836 is a message that your prayers have been heard and acknowledged by the angels and higher spiritual beings.
What does 856 mean spiritually?
Number 856 is a symbol of living life in a positive way, following the path of honesty and sharing compassion and love with people around you. Angels are here to keep your spirits up and to tell you that you must not waste time on things that have no importance and which have no spiritual values.
What does 905 mean spiritually?
Angel Number 905 indicates that some situations and circumstances are rapidly changing in your life, leading you towards auspicious new opportunities that will enhance your life and spiritual journey. Your angels want you to know that new is entering your life and these changes will be positive and pleasing to you.
What does 840 mean spiritually?
The magic number 840 brings happiness, harmony and joy to life. This successful combination of three and five gives, in aggregate, boundless space to achieve all goals and desires. In numerology, a triplet gives inspiration to a person. It helps to develop both spiritually and creatively.
What does 842 mean spiritually?
Angel Number 842 suggests that your strong connection with the angels has manifested blessings and positive abundance in your life. The faith and trust you have shown in the guidance you have received, and the actions you have taken have ensured long-term rewards.
What does the number 841 mean spiritually?
Angel Number 841 indicates that your angels are helping you to maintain positive and loving thoughts as you successfully manifest blessings and rewards for work well done. Trust that the angels are with you, supporting and encouraging you. Ask for guidance from your angels whenever you feel the need.
What does 853 mean spiritually?
The number 853 is the number related to persistence and not giving up. It is a sign of bravery and confidence in your talent. The number 853 is related to everything connected to your life path: from your life choices, opportunities to learn life lessons, and learn from your mistakes.
What does 911 mean in love?
The 911 angel number is a positive pointer from the angels and if it is pointing you in the direction of love, then it is for the best. It is time for you to start laying plans for your future, one that involves someone to love and that takes away past feelings of hurt and pain.
Why do I keep seeing 854?
When you see Angel Number 854 you should follow your intuition and make important changes in your life. You should get rid of some of your old habits and learn about something new. If you see this number coming your way then you have to turn to positivity and get rid of negative habits.
Happy Valentines Day to our GCT followers!
One of the best feelings in the world, without question, is LOVE.
We use the word «love» in many different contexts- the love for our parents, best friend, romantic partner, grandparent, sibling, job, automobile, etc.
The Ancient Greeks had eight words that corresponded to different types of love:
Eros (romantic, passionate love)
The first kind of love is Eros, named after the Greek God of fertility.
Eros is passion, lust and pleasure.
The ancient Greeks considered Eros to be dangerous and frightening as it involves a “loss of control” through the primal impulse to procreate. Eros is an intense form of love that arouses romantic and sexual feelings.
Philia (affectionate love)
The second type of love is Philia, or friendship.
Plato felt that physical attraction was not a necessary part of love, hence the use of the word platonic to mean, “without physical attraction.”
Agape (selfless, universal love)
The third is Agape, selfless universal love, such as the love for strangers, nature, or God.
This love is unconditional, bigger than ourselves, a boundless compassion and an infinite empathy that you extended to everyone, whether they are family members or distant strangers.
Storge (familiar love)
Storge is a natural form of affection experienced between family members.
This protective, kinship-based love is common between parents and their children, and children for their parents.
Storge can also describe a sense of patriotism toward a country or allegiance to the same team.
Mania (obsessive love)
When love turns to obsession, it becomes mania.
Stalking behaviors, co-dependency, extreme jealousy, and violence are all symptoms of Mania.
Ludus (playful love)
The Ancient Greeks thought of ludus as a playful form of love.
It describes the situation of having a crush and acting on it, or the affection between young lovers.
Pragma (enduring love)
Pragma is a love built on commitment, understanding and long-term best interests.
It is a love that has aged, matured and about making compromises to help the relationship work over time, also showing patience and tolerance.
Philautia (self love)
The Greeks understood that in order to care for others, we must first learn to care for ourselves.
As Aristotle said “All friendly feelings for others are an extension of a man’s feelings for himself.”