Psyche: The Goddess of the Soul

In Greek mythology, Psyche is the goddess of the soul and wife of Eros. She personified many aspects of romantic love, including sensuous desire, attraction, passion and sexual love. She also symbolised beauty and charm as well as innocence and purity.

Psyche is one of the Erotes or Cupids, the Greek personification of natural joys and erotic love. Psyche is often confused with her mother Aphrodite due to their similar names. However, they are not the same deity but rather two aspects of the same goddess.

Origins of the Psyche Mythology

Psyche was a beautiful princess from the kingdom of Cyprus. Her mother was the goddess Aphrodite and her father was a king. She had two older sisters whose names were Sthenobosa and Eubuleia.

According to one story, Psyche’s mother was very jealous of her beautiful daughter and hid her away in the mountains away from her father and sisters. Aphrodite thought that no one would find Psyche in the mountains so she had her servants bring her food every day.

One day, the king had a dream that his daughter was in danger so he sent his servants to find her. The servants climbed the mountains and found Psyche sitting beside a beautiful stream.

When they asked her who she was and why she was there, she told them that she was the king’s daughter and that she had been banished by her mother.

The Greek Myth of Psyche and Eros

Psyche’s father wanted to find a husband for his daughter and asked all the gods to marry her. Psyche was very beautiful and had many suitors but her mother was afraid that Psyche would disgrace her and so she asked her to go to the mountain and fetch water in a golden bowl. You might also enjoy: 7 Things To Know About Themis, Greece's Titan Goddess Of Divine Law And Order.

Psyche obeyed her mother’s wishes and went to the mountain. On her way there, she came across a group of ants that were digging a hole and asked them to help her find water. They said that a beautiful spring appeared at the foot of a certain mountain and that was where Psyche should go. Psyche did as she was told and found the spring. You might also enjoy: Top 10 Myths about the 3 Greek Goddesses, Moirai.

She put her pitcher underneath the flowing water and started to go back to her father’s home when a storm came and blew her pitcher away. Psyche went back to the spring and begged the water nymphs to help her.

The nymphs told her to go to Eros and ask him to help her. Eros is the god of love and passion. Psyche found Eros’ house and begged him to help her.

Eros was very surprised when he saw Psyche and fell in love with her. Psyche tried to shoo Eros away but he finally persuaded her to marry him. He gave her some instructions and told her to not look at him until they were married. Psyche obeyed and went back to her father’s home. You might also enjoy: Tykhet the Goddess of Fortune, Chance, Providence and Fate.

Meaning of Psyche in Greek

Psyche is the Greek word for “soul”. It is also an English word that means the feeling of being excited or thrilled.

Symbolism of Psyche

Psyche is the symbol of many things including the human soul, romantic love, passion, beauty and charm, innocence, purity and the vital force of life.

Defining Traits of Psyche

Psyche is the goddess of the soul, the human mind and heart. Her elements are air and water. She is associated with the zodiac signs Pisces and Cancer.

Psyche’s attributes are the butterfly, the jar of honey, the rose and the swan. The butterfly symbolises transformation and the jar of honey is a symbol of the sweetness of life. Roses are a symbol of love and beauty and swans are a symbol of romance and love.