Eros
Eros (UK: , US: ; Ancient Greek: Ἔρως, lit. 'Love, Desire') is the Greek god of love and sex. The Romans referred to him as Cupid or Amor. In the earliest account, he is a primordial god, while in later accounts he is the child of Aphrodite.
He is usually presented as a handsome young man, though in some appearances he is a juvenile boy full of mischief, ever in the company of his mother. In both cases, he is winged and carries his signature bow and arrows, which he uses to make both mortals and immortal gods fall in love, commonly under the guidance of Aphrodite. His role in myths is mostly complementary, and he frequently appears in the presence of Aphrodite and the other love gods, acting as a catalyst for people to fall in love. He has little unique mythology of his own, the most major exception being the myth of Eros and Psyche, the story of how he met and fell in love with his wife.
Eros and Cupid are also known, in art tradition, as a Putto (pl. Putti). The Putto's iconography seemed to have later influenced the figure known as a Cherub (pl. Cherubim). The Putti and the Cherubim can be found throughout the Middle Ages and the Renaissance in Christian art. This latter iteration of Eros/Cupid became a major icon and symbol of Valentine's Day.
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