Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of Love and beauty is often depicted as vain and frivolous. I have a different perspective. True, she had many affairs. ( Adonis, Ares, Hermes and Dionysus are her most famous lovers) Her affairs although, are not the only thing to her. ( And well Zeus had more affairs than she did ) But that is not the point.
Aphrodite, depicted as a very feminine woman is also a very strong one. As Goddess of love, the smooth running of this emotion in the world, is her responsibility . She has, many a times borne a lot of flak for it. Every strong woman has to constantly defend herself against defamers. Woman, in general, have to always prove their worth. But this again is not the point.
Remember the Trojan War? Remember how it started? Paris, a Shepherd boy had to present a golden apple to the most beautiful goddess among Hera ( the extremely jealous and possessive goddess of marriage) Athena ( the Goddess of warfare, strategy and wisdom) and ofcourse Aphrodite. Basically, though all three of them bribed the boy, he gave the apple to Aphrodite. Thus the Goddess is blamed for the war ( in some instances Helen of Sparta is blamed) Just like Sita and Draupadi are blamed for the wars in their respective eras.
Aphrodite did not let all the bad press deter her from fulfilling her duties. Infact unlike the others, she doesn't flare up or harm anyone at the slightest offence. She is not as hot tempered as Hera, Artemis or Athena.
Love is a beautifully thing. And that's why perhaps she is also the goddess of Beauty. It doesn't always have to superficial. To achieve that only cosmetics and plastic surgeons are required, not Goddesses. Aphrodite represents everything inside us that is truly beautifully and not ruled by how pretty we seem to the world.
The famous Cupid ( Eros in Greek myths) is her son, born of her union with the God of War Ares. So one more credit to her from me.
Not many people find her dependable. i agree with those people. Can we really depend on love to solve all our problems? i don't think love is the only thing required. That's why the other gods and goddesses are there! i am once again deviating from the point.
The only weapon Aphrodite can use to punish offenders is love. She makes them fall in love with themselves. Do you know how destructive too much self love can be? Narcissistic people are born. Imagine being so much in love with yourself that you cant see the world around you!
The goddess can transform herself from Drop dead Gorgeous to girl next door. She is never dowdy. No hair is out of place. Ever. ( This for me is a flaw. Perfection can be irritating for the non perfectionist) Yet she,even with her flaws seems admirable. And that's why she is my favourite Greek Goddess.
Remember the Trojan War? Remember how it started? Paris, a Shepherd boy had to present a golden apple to the most beautiful goddess among Hera ( the extremely jealous and possessive goddess of marriage) Athena ( the Goddess of warfare, strategy and wisdom) and ofcourse Aphrodite. Basically, though all three of them bribed the boy, he gave the apple to Aphrodite. Thus the Goddess is blamed for the war ( in some instances Helen of Sparta is blamed) Just like Sita and Draupadi are blamed for the wars in their respective eras.
Aphrodite did not let all the bad press deter her from fulfilling her duties. Infact unlike the others, she doesn't flare up or harm anyone at the slightest offence. She is not as hot tempered as Hera, Artemis or Athena.
Love is a beautifully thing. And that's why perhaps she is also the goddess of Beauty. It doesn't always have to superficial. To achieve that only cosmetics and plastic surgeons are required, not Goddesses. Aphrodite represents everything inside us that is truly beautifully and not ruled by how pretty we seem to the world.
The famous Cupid ( Eros in Greek myths) is her son, born of her union with the God of War Ares. So one more credit to her from me.
The only weapon Aphrodite can use to punish offenders is love. She makes them fall in love with themselves. Do you know how destructive too much self love can be? Narcissistic people are born. Imagine being so much in love with yourself that you cant see the world around you!
The goddess can transform herself from Drop dead Gorgeous to girl next door. She is never dowdy. No hair is out of place. Ever. ( This for me is a flaw. Perfection can be irritating for the non perfectionist) Yet she,even with her flaws seems admirable. And that's why she is my favourite Greek Goddess.
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