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Eros was the Greek God of love and sexual desire. He was shooting golden arrows into the hearts of both mortals and immortals without warning. Eros is
defined as divine beauty or lust. Eros is mainly based on sexual attraction and it is where the term “erotica” came from.

Eros is a passionate and intense love that arouses romantic feelings; it is the kind that often triggers “high” feelings in a new relationship and makes you say,
“I love him/her”. It is simply an emotional and sexual love. Although this romantic love is important in the beginning of a new relationship, it may not last
unless it moves a notch higher because it focuses more on self instead of the other person. If the person “in love” does not feel good about their relationship
anymore, they will stop loving their partner. It can turn into other kinds of love – like pragma – but it starts as romance and attraction.

Example of Eros love: A young couple that meets and immediately feels attracted, and lustful, towards one another.

5. Storge: Familiar Love

Storge (‘store-gae’), can be defined as “familiar love.” Although that’s a strange term, this type of love looks and feels a lot like philia – affectionate love felt
between friends. However, this love is more like a parent-child love.

Just like philia, there is not physical or sexual attraction. But there is a strong bond, kinship, and familiarity between people.

It is a kind of family and friendship love. This is the love that parents naturally feel for their children; the love that member of the family have for each other;
or the love that friends feel for each other. It’s based on natural feelings and effortless love. In some cases, this friendship love may turn into a romantic
relationship, and the couple in such a relationship becomes best friends. Storge love is unconditional, accepts flaws or faults and knows forgiveness,
acceptance and sacrifice. It’s committed, sacrificial and makes you feel secure, comfortable and safe.

Example of Storge love: Think about the kind of love your mother gives you, or your very best friend. It is rooted in friendship, and understanding, but
there is also a deep emotional connection there.

6. Philautia: Self-love

Philautia is self-love. In our modern-day society, most people associate self-love with being narcissistic, selfish, or stuck on themselves. However, this is not
what the ancient Greeks meant by self-love. Self-love is not negative or unhealthy in any way. In fact, it’s necessary to be able to give and receive love from
other people. We cannot give to others what we don’t have. And if we don’t love ourselves, how can we truly love others?

Another way to look at self-love is by thinking about it as self-compassion. Just as you might show affection and love to another person, you must also show Page349
that same affection and love to yourself.