by Anja Emerson

Created on: July 15, 2009   Last Updated: July 16, 2009

None other than the goddess of beauty, love and fertility, Aphrodite is the Greek goddess that symbolizes the emblematic splendor of feminine beauty tending towards perfection. The legend says that with her eternal youthfulness and enchanting grace, she enraptured the hearts of men everywhere, overwhelming them with strong feelings of love and desire.

Aphrodite's place in Greek mythology is unique in many ways that create an elusive aura of mystery around her figure, thus inspiring artists from ancient times to the present to recreate her astounding beauty through their masterpieces. Arguably, from this point of view, it becomes clear that Aphrodite's image as the symbol of the infinitely desirable female has never lost any of its significance and relevance.

Aphrodite emerges as a result of a fight between two gods when Ouranos' genitals are thrown into the sea by Cronus. Arisen from the white foam formed by this immortal flesh, she floats on a scallop shell until reaching the shore of the island of Cyprus. The mythical rising from the sea is an iconic representation of Aphrodite that is recurrently present in both Ancient and modern art; as a powerful indication of her value; and as the expression of both the feminine and the sublime.

Another interesting thing about Aphrodite is that she practically had no childhood. There are no references to her growing up to suggest she may have ever been a child. She is born as a full-grown female of marriageable condition, endowed with overpowering sexual attractiveness, and beauty beyond measure.

Perhaps the most famous legend about Aphrodite is her role in causing the Trojan War itself. Zeus held a banquet in celebration of the marriage between of Peleus and Thetis, where Eris, the goddess of discord, was not invited. She therefore made her appearance and tossed a golden apple labeled to the fairest. Aphrodite claimed the apple, along with two other goddesses, Athena and Hera. Because Zeus would not favor any of them, he decided that Paris, the Prince of Troy, would judge their cases. Each of the three tried to bribe him by offering impressive gifts, but the one he couldn't turn down was Aphrodite's, who tempted him with the love of the most beautiful female in the world, Helen of Sparta, wife of the Greek king Menelaus. Thus, Paris eloped with Helen, leading to the Trojan War.

Aphrodite is also one of the few deities of the Greek Pantheon that were married, but she was often unfaithful to her husband, Hephaestus, the ugly god of volcanoes. She rejoiced being independent, consistently seeking out new lovers, and she had no remorse in lying because she knew she could have anyone she wanted to. Her favorite lover was Ares, the ill-tempered god of war, whom she eventually married.

She had many children, resulting from her capricious affairs, most notably: Eros (the god of love), Rhodos, Herophilus, Hermaphroditus, Priapus, and Aneas.

Aphrodite represents erotic love as an alluring form of divine influence. The representation of the nude Aphrodite carries powerful meaning and it became a way of delve into exploring female physical attractiveness, sex appeal and beauty.

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