Beware of Cupid the icon of Valentine’s Day and pray an arrow does not go astray!

For if one does who knows what may come to pass – you might end up falling in love with one ugly ass – or fortunate enough maybe his arrow of torture will strike true, guiding you awestruck love – just know if his torturous arrow hits someone’s wife – you just might get stabbed by a knife.  So, better not to put your fate – in the misguided arrows of a little flying mate.

I’ve always poked fun at the concept of Cupid and been bewildered by the emotional effects of marketing campaigns on some.  (To be transparent and confirm your thoughts, I would not consider myself helpless romantic.)  Why have I always poked fun at our flying arrow shooting mate?

Cupid has a checkered past.

Cupid is the god of desire, erotic love, attraction and affection, in classical mythology.  He is often portrayed as the son of the love goddess Venus; although, Eros appears in Classical Greek art as a slender winged youth, during the Hellenistic period he was increasingly portrayed as a chubby boy. During this time, he acquired the bow and arrow that represent his source of power: a person, or even a deity, who is shot by Cupid’s arrow is filled with uncontrollable desire. In myths, Cupid is a minor character who serves mostly to set the plot in motion. He is a main character only in the tale of Cupid and Psyche, when wounded by his own weapons he experiences the ordeal of love. Although other extended stories are not told about him, his tradition is rich in poetic themes and visual scenarios, such as “Love conquers all” and the retaliatory punishment or torture of Cupid.

Cupid continued to be a popular figure in the Middle Ages, when under Christian influence he often had a dual nature as Heavenly and Earthly love. In the Renaissance, a renewed interest in classical philosophy endowed him with complex allegorical meanings. In contemporary popular culture, Cupid is shown drawing his bow to inspire romantic love, often as an icon of Valentine’s Day.

Lord Byron an English poet and a leading figure in the Romantic movement was quoted saying, “Love will find a way through paths where wolves fear to prey.” 

But what if on this single day love seems to ago astray?

This day…. Valentine’s Day is known worldwide as a time to celebrate love, relationships and all those predictable romantic comedies. But it can often be a day of pure annoyance for those that cupid has missed and do not have a significant other!  Singles Awareness Day was sprung up as a collective movement against the marketing fluff.  The annual celebration of cupids foe, highlights the connection among millions of individuals across the nation who are collectively and emotionally ticked off by the pretentious, overdone, dramatic displays of affection they encounter — yet this in itself is proof that love knows no bounds and that no individual is truly alone on Valentine’s Day.

And now for you a quote or two,

“Happy phony, romanticized, overly commercial, sucks to be single, pretend that it’s love, day!” -Unknown

“I don’t understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine’s Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon.” -Unknown

So what are the underlying questions I ask:

Should one trust in this love struck flying mate?  If not, how does one win a Valentines date?

If love is desired and wanted to be found, how does one best equip themselves in order to pursue and win love at hand?

Action step: Leave a comment. Thoughts?  I’d be honored to hear and have you share thoughts.  How? Simply leave or submit a comment below and personally commit take one step forward from where you are at today.