Many of us in our life must have got curious by a question as what love is. Sometimes the question is asked by another person, and sometimes we experience few feelings calling us that make us intrigued to discover the name to them.
To characterize the word love in a solitary line or present its definition in a couple of sentences coincides with finding a ring in the ocean. Indeed, love is as vast and profound as an ocean, and to discover few lines to describe it bears a resemblance to diving into it to look for something.
Love is a feeling that is not only unparalleled but also unfathomable. It is a feeling composed of various emotions and actions. Care, kindness, affection, possession, protection, trust, comfort, attraction, friendship, romance, connection, and most importantly, respect, when combined, complete the emotion of love. However, can we declare it to be its only definition?
No. We certainly cannot. Depending on the feelings and experiences involved, the definition may vary from person to person. We cannot limit this feeling to anything particular. Love takes numerous forms. For instance, self-love is different than the love between a mother and a child. A love involved with a partner is distinct from the love for a family. Regardless of the facts, no matter who we love, the emotions referenced previously will be added and rarely excluded, depending on who it is for.
According to the study of Ancient Greeks love is categorized; into eight different types:
1. Eros (Erotic or Romantic Love):
Eros is the name of the Greek God of love and sexual desire. And as the name suggests, it involves the passion and desire of someone physically. It can take place between two partners who are romantically involved.
2. Philia (Affectionate Love):
Philia is accepted as the highest form of love, includes friendship and affection as emotions. Philia love can take place between two friends or even family members.
3. Philautia (Self-Love):
Philautia involves the love towards oneself that is keeping interests of oneself above others.
4. Agape (Unconditional Love):
Agape considered being selfless and unconditional love that expects nothing in return. Usually, we see such a type of love between God and man.
5. Storge (Familial Love):
Familial refers to occur between families. And Storge is a form of love that involves instinctual affection. An affection that we generally see between family members.
6. Ludus (Playful Love):
A playful love, or what we call Ludus, involves flirt and feelings that we experience at the early stage of our love life. Like butterflies in the stomach, teasing, seducing, and acting frisky.
7. Pragma (Enduring Love):
Pragma is a rare type of love opposite to that of Eros. Where sexual desire is the least that this love asks for. It prioritized qualities, personality, compatibility, and practical attributes over physical attraction. It is rare to find these days. But in old times, we could see it taking place between few, no matter what, they held by each other till the end.
8. Mania (Obsessive Love):
Mania, also known as obsessive love, is one where an individual is obsessed with the other. Somewhere and somewhat, it tries to control the other partner with their obsession. They suffer through low self-esteem, following which they need assurance of desire from their partner constantly that may come as absurd for the other partner.
Love is a superpower. It can make us stronger enough to fight against the world, and at times weak and fragile to even handle our own emotions. Whatever form of love we choose to give or accept, we must assure that respect, freedom to breathe and live, and peace of mind must be present between the two. A love that bounds us in a cage will never be able to keep anyone for life. Love is to become the air beneath your wings and not otherwise. Fly and relish while you are into it.
