Cupid always has been associated with a bow and arrow. But why?

Many of the appealing elements of archery xe2x80x94 precision, patience, self-reliance xe2x80x94 have applied across millennia. The sport has acted as a powerful symbol of skill for heroic (and villainous) characters throughout mythology.

In its most basic form, archery is the use of a tool to extend the power of the body. Mastery of the bow and arrow was as impressive then as it is now xe2x80x94 but it was also, importantly for ancient tales, inherently spiritual.

We typically think of Cupid as a plump infant with wings and a bow and arrow, but this wasnxe2x80x99t always the case. Long before the Romans adopted and renamed him, Cupid was known in Greek mythology as Eros, the god of love.

Armed with a bow and a quiver filled with both golden arrows to ignite desire and leaden arrows to spark hatred, Cupid (Eros) struck at the hearts of gods and mortals xe2x80x94 toying with their emotions.

In one ancient Greek myth, which was later retold by the Romans, Cupid shot a golden arrow at Apollo, who fell deeply in love with the nymph Daphne, but then launched a leaden arrow at Daphne, causing her to be repulsed by him.

In another story, Cupidxe2x80x99s mother, Venus (Aphrodite), became so jealous of the beautiful mortal Psyche that she told her son to shoot Psyche with a golden arrow, so she would fall in love with a monster. Instead, Cupid fell in love with Psyche and married her xe2x80x94 with the condition that she could never see his face. Eventually, Psyche’s curiosity became overwhelming, and she stole a glance, causing Cupid to run away in anger. After searching the known world for her lover, Psyche was eventually reunited with Cupid and granted immortality.

On Valentine’s Day, Cupid might bring that special someone (or simply a love for archery). Will it be xe2x80x9clove at first sightxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9clove at first arrow”?

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