Eros & Psyche
The soul that won love itself
The mortal so beautiful she enraged Venus; her son Eros falls for her and visits only in darkness. When Psyche lights a lamp to see him, she loses him, and must pass impossible trials to win him back.
01Why it matters
It is the rare love myth with a happy ending: Psyche ("soul") ascends to goddess, and the tale became an allegory of the soul seeking divine love.
02The conflict
Venus's jealousy and the ban on looking at her lover.
03The iconic moment
The drop of lamp oil that wakes Eros and sets everything in motion.
04What survived
Apuleius's "Golden Ass"; Canova's sculpture in the Louvre.
05Where to travel
06Frequently asked questions
Why is the story of Eros & Psyche famous?
It is the rare love myth with a happy ending: Psyche ("soul") ascends to goddess, and the tale became an allegory of the soul seeking divine love.
How does the story of Eros & Psyche end?
The drop of lamp oil that wakes Eros and sets everything in motion. Apuleius's "Golden Ass"; Canova's sculpture in the Louvre.
Where can you visit the story of Eros & Psyche?
You can visit Louvre Museum, in París. "Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss," by Canova.
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