Today an icon from the past is gone: Shirley Temple has passed away. Though she was before my time, her cute ways and lively dance will always remain with me–animal crackers in my soup.

Still no plans for Valentines except being the usual get together on Friday with the girls.

Today let’s look at cupid.

Cupid has been around a long time. He is a Roman God (aka Eros to the Greeks, from which we get the word erotic), son of Venus goddess of love, and himself a victim of love and a jealous mum, But his potential tragic story came out with a happy ending (ask Psyche–even a goddess of a mother-in-law isn’t necessarily a blessing).

Cupid is winged because lovers are flighty and likely to change their minds, and boyish because love is foolish and irrational. His symbols are the arrow and torch, “because love wounds and inflames the heart.” These attributes and their interpretation were established by late antiquity, as summarized by Isidore of Seville (d. 636 AD) in his Etymologies.

THE MEDIEVAL CHURCH HAD OTHER OPINIONS: Theodulf of Orleans (during the reign of Charlemagne) saw Cupid as a seductive but malicious figure who exploits desire to draw people into vice. Cupid’s quiver symbolized his depraved mind, his bow trickery, his arrows poison, and his torch burning passion. He was portrayed naked, so as not to conceal his deception and evil.

The god has evolved into a child/toddler with wings and a cherub face. Today, Cupid and his arrows have become the most popular of love signs, and love is most frequently depicted by two hearts pierced by an arrow, Cupid’s arrow.

Learn more:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cupid
http://www.vision.org/visionmedia/biography/history-cupid-valentines.aspx
http://www.theholidayspot.com/valentine/cupid.htm

Cupids are big time collectibles–none in my collection but if you have one you might check it out or let me do it for you.
Tan Chihuahua Dressed as Cupid Collectible Figurine Statue $20
Cupid’s Heart Collectible Art, Vintage Postcard $30
Vintage Kewpie Doll Cupid- Rose O’neil $100
CUPID Pink Roses Print Vintage Gesso Frame Tojetti (known for his fat cupids) $119
2 Cupid c1899 Engraving Print Virgilio Tojetti Antique Barbola Frame $139
Vintage 60s Ormolu Cupids Filigree Jewelry Trinket Box Hollywood $225

Make your day an adventure–write it in your card/or in a love letter just how much you care. Give a gift from the heart, not what is expected for the day–something specific for your relationship and lover.

RESPECT OTHERS IF YOU WISH TO BE RESPECTED