By: Kari Seep

“Love is the most powerful motivator in the world. It spurs mortals to greatness. Their noblest and bravest acts are done for love”

Love is undeniably in the air this February as people look for safe ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day with the ones they love. It’s surprising to think that when we compare ideas of love and romance today, they are not too different from ancient Greek ideologies about love which are represented through the Goddess of love, Aphrodite. Many of the traditions of Valentine’s Day stem from this powerful Goddess and the stories about her existence.

Aphrodite is known for being the goddess of love, fertility, and beauty. Aphrodite was love personified, and she was well known in mythology to use her mesmerizing beauty to excite gods and men around her into doing what she wants, thus she creating the power for herself to rule over all living creation. According to Greek myth, she was the embodiment of love and associated herself with strong symbols of love. The main symbols Aphrodite is associated with include roses, doves, and swans. These symbols of love are still recognized today as romantic and are often times incorporated into major weddings. 

Aphrodite seemed to know how powerful of an emotion love is because she has such powerful quotes about love and its strength, among the most moving is “Love is the most powerful motivator in the world. It spurs mortals to greatness. Their noblest and bravest acts are done for love.” These words are especially powerful when we reflect and apply them to the world today. Despite the chaos in the world, if we can look past and motivate ourselves with love, we will never feel like our lives are meaningless, and we will continue to have motivation to be more and do more for the people we love. 

This Valentine’s Day, listen to Aphrodite’s powerful words and find love within yourself, allow this love to be the motivation to bring a happy and healthy new year.