These Are The 4 Different Kinds Of Love

According to ancient Greek philosophy, there are four different kinds of love. When we understand the different types of love and know which one we are in, we can deepen our connection with ourselves and with the people in our lives.

Eros

Eros was known to be the mischievous Greek god of love, the one who shoots arrows into people to make them fall in love. The Greeks looked at Eros as “a loss of control,” which makes sense, because when you feel an intense desire for someone, you suddenly feel so captivated by them, suddenly so lost in the world world of this person. Eros love is about passion, desire, lust, and sensual pleasure. It’s the type of love typically depicted in romantic relationships, all about intense emotions and longing.

Agape

In Greek mythology, Agape was one of Aphrodite’s children and Eros’ sister. It is all about selfless, unconditional love for all people, regardless of their relationship with you. It’s about acts of kindness, charity, and forgiveness.

Philia

Philia is about deep friendship. The Greeks valued this deep comradely in the sense of fighting side by side on the battlefield. It’s a strong bond between people who respect one another and share values, experiences, and common interests. It’s about being loyal, making sacrifices, and sharing your emotions.

Storge

Storge is familiar to Philia in that it’s a close-knit bond you share with someone. It’s about the love between family members or childhood friends or even classmates. It’s a bond that develops between two people through familiarity and shared experiences. It can also be a natural bond between a mother and her child.

There is one more kind of love that isn’t considered to be in the main 4 ones and that’s Philautia. This one is all about self-love. It’s not in the self-obsessed, vanity kind of way — it’s about the way in which we care for ourselves. It’s about self-compassion, self-forgiveness, and feeling comfortable in our own skin.