Introduction:
Aphrodite is the goddess of love, beauty, and sexuality. The Roman equivalent of here is Venus. She is usually portrait as a beautiful woman with her son, Ero (Cupid) being nearby. Her symbols are doves, dolphins, swans, and roses. Many stories say that Aphrodite is born from the sea foam which is Uranus' genitals. The name Aphrodite comes from seam foam (aphros).
Personality:
Aphrodite is irresistible. She likes to demand desires and attractions. She is sometimes a spoiled, full of herself and childish god. She cursed anyone that claimed they are more beautiful than her. As she is the goddess of love, she is also known for playing the matchmaker for Helen/Paris, Jason/Medea, etc.
Relationships:
As Aphrodite is the goddess of love, many mortals and gods fell in love with her. Zeus was scared that the gods would fight over Aphrodite's hand in marriage so he married her off to Hephaestus, deformed and lame god. Unfortunately for Hephaestus, Aphrodite love glamour and fun, and was not happy being a wife of a hard-working and ugly god. Of course, the handsome Ares caught her eyes. Not only Ares caught her eyes, but also many handsome heroes like Adonis and Anchises.
Adonis:
Adonis was the son of Mryyha and the King of Cyprus, Cinyras. His mother offended Aphrodite by claiming her daughter was more beautiful than the goddess herself. Aphrodite cursed Myrrha to have lust for his own father, Cinyras. Cinyras was disgusted by this so Mrrha disguise herself as a prostitute, and secretly sleep with her father at night. Myrrha became pregnant. Cinyras chased her out with a knight, Myrrha pleaded for mercy to the gods. The gods decide to turn her into a Myrrah tree.
Myrrah gave birth to a baby boy named Adonis. Aphrodite took pity on the baby boy and let Persephone to take care of him in the underworld. Adonis grew up to be very handsome young man. Aphrodite and Persephone grew fond of him. Aphrodite demanded Persephone to hand over Adonis but Persephone refused. The both goddess started to quarrel until Zeus has to intervene. He decided that Adonis stay four months with Aphrodite,four months with Persephone, and the rest is to who he decided. Of course, he chose Aphrodite.
Adonis' passion was to hunt. Aphrodite would go with him everywhere he goes. She was too busy with Adonis that Aphrodite was forgetting her duties as a goddess. When Aphrodite was forced back to her duties, she was worried about him so she left a warning: Don't attack an animal that shows no fear. Adonis agreed but secretly thought she was underestimating his ability to hunt.
Not long after Aphrodite was gone, a huge boar came in front of Adonis. Adonis started to chase it but it suddenly turned back and attacked him. Adonis had no change against the boar. He was dying of blood loss. Aphrodite rushed to his side but she was too late. Red flowers called anemones grew where Adonis's blood fell on the soil. Many people believe the boar was Ares himself who was jealous of Adonis.
Persephone was delighted that Adonis was back to her side. Aphrodite rushed the underworld to get him back and another quarrel started. Zeus changed the terms into Adonis stays 6 months with Aphrodite and the other 6 months with Persephone. At every spring and autumn, a festival is host in his name.
Interesting Facts:
The island of Cyprus was believed to the place that Aphrodite rose from the sea foam. It is located the south of Turkey. The Cypriots started to host tourist-friendly version of Aphrodite's festivals.
The planet is named after the Roman version of Aphrodite because it is one of the brightest things in the night sky.