Greek Myth ~ Aphrodite (Part 1)

As I am working on the Olympian's right now I've decided to share some of my findings on Aphrodite, Goddess of Love & Beauty (Part 1!).

Aphrodite Part 2
Aphrodite Part 3

Aphrodite

Love & Beauty

Associations

Pantheon: Olympian

Element: Air

Sphere of Influence: Love & Beauty

Colours: Pink, White, Red, Blue

Associated Symbol: Seashell, Heart

Animals: Dolphin, Dove

Day: Friday

Offerings: Pomegranates, Limes

Planet: Venus

Overview

Aphrodite, Goddess of passionate, sexual love and beauty, was born from the foam of the sea.  Cronos was jealous and continuously worried that all others would be stronger than him and take rule.  So, in an attempt to limit the competition, he cut off Uranus’ genitals and threw them into the sea.  Aphrodite was born in exactly the same place.  She is the daughter of Zeus and the nymph Dione and took power over the hearts and senses of all men, including Gods. 

Quarrels with Zeus

Aphrodite also caused suffering as well as love and she was forced, by Zeus, to marry Hephaistos (God of fire), who was lame and ugly.  Zeus also forced her to fall in love with mortal shepherd called Anchises, who was very poor.  Anchises fathered Aeneas, founder of the Latin nation.  Through Aeneas, she became known as the founder of the Roman race through her Roman counterpart Venus.  Zeus did this to punish her for forcing him to make love to mortal women, in turn neglecting his wife, Hera.  Aphrodite retaliated by sending a swarm of bees to blind Anchises, for he dared to sleep with a Goddess.

Ares & Eros

Aphrodite was unfaithful to Hephaistos on countless times, including with Ares (God of War) who was very dangerous.  Ares fathered Eros (God of Love).  When Hephaistos caught the pair making love, he captured them in his magic net and dragged them before a full assembly of Olympian Gods.  Instead of taking Hephaistos’ side they just roared with laughter and dismissed them, setting Aphrodite and Ares free. 

☮ ❤ & ツ