Is Cupid an angel, a cherub, or a deity entirely his own? The answer, as it turns out, is a fascinating tapestry woven from mythology, art, and religious interpretation, a story that reveals the multifaceted nature of love and its representations throughout history.

At a certain point, the word "cherub" began to take on a dual meaning. It no longer referred solely to the celestial beings of the cherubim rank as described in the Bible. Instead, the term also came to encompass the artistic image of either Cupid, the Roman god of love, or putti, the often-childlike figures that frequently accompanied him in art.

The chasm between the cherubs of religious texts and those found in popular art is vast. One might even call it ironic. Consider the traditional depiction of a cherub, often a chubby, winged infant, versus the descriptions found in biblical accounts. This divergence points to the evolution of symbolism and the way cultures interpret and reinterpret concepts over time.

The more commonly found form, "putti," is actually the plural of the Italian word "putto." This word itself derives from the Latin "putus," which translates to "boy" or "child." In contemporary Italian, "putto" can refer to a winged, toddler-like angel or, on rare occasions, a representation of a child in art.

Cupid, the Roman god of love, is the counterpart of the Greek god Eros and the equivalent of Amor in Latin poetry. Myths say he was the son of Mercury, the winged messenger of the gods, and Venus, the goddess of love. He is typically portrayed as a winged infant, armed with a bow and a quiver of arrows, whose wounds could incite love and desire.

In some interpretations, especially in Christian art, Cupid is depicted as an angel. This portrayal aligns him with divine love and heavenly ideals. Cupid and putti also became integrated into the representation of love itself, representing the presence of affection and desire. Some believe that the cherubim are the guardians of God's glory and pure love, with infants symbolizing innocence and purity, as explored by Whitney Hopler in her article "Cherubs and Cupids: Fictional Angels of Love."

Cupids, angels, and putti are a recurring motif in both religious and secular art, beginning in the 1420s in Italy, extending through the turn of the 16th century in the Netherlands and Germany. Their influence is also seen during the Mannerist period and Late Renaissance in France, and throughout baroque ceiling frescoes.

The association of Cupid with angels has evolved throughout history. Some believe that Cupids are special angels who are direct higher dimensional agents of Saint Valentine, and indirectly of the omniverse god. Their mission is to spread love throughout the world. They can utilize the power of love either in their natural angelic metaphysical energy form or they may take human form when necessary.

Attribute	Details
Name	Cupid (Roman), Eros (Greek)
Domain	Love, Desire, Affection
Parents (Roman)	Venus (Goddess of Love), Mercury (Messenger God)
Appearance	Typically depicted as a winged child, often carrying a bow and arrows.
Symbolism	Love, passion, beauty, attraction. Often associated with Valentine's Day.
Associated Art Forms	Painting, sculpture, literature, decorative arts. Putti, winged cherubs, and figures with bows and arrows are common motifs.
Historical Context	Played a prominent role in Roman and Greek mythology, and was subsequently adapted and reinterpreted in art and literature throughout the Renaissance, Baroque, and subsequent periods.
Influence	Continues to be a relevant symbol in modern culture. Appears on greeting cards, chocolates, romantic media, and merchandise related to Valentine's Day.
Religious Connotations	Cupid's image can intersect with religious themes in some contexts. In Christian art, he has been associated with divine love and the presence of angels.
Modern Representations	Cupid appears frequently on Valentine's Day in contemporary illustrations and is often depicted shooting arrows, symbolizing the act of falling in love.
Cultural Relevance	A widely recognized figure; the cherubic depictions of Cupid are utilized worldwide to represent the spirit of love, romance, and Valentine's Day.

In the series, a cupid is a type of angel. Widely popular on Valentines day, the winged cupid may not seem like a god; An angel perhaps, but no more. However, cupid is no angel, and is certainly no cherub. Cupid was the god of love in ancient roman mythology.

The use of angels and cherubs in art goes far beyond the simple representation of religious figures. Cupid, as a symbol of love, has become intertwined with the idea of angelic beings, particularly in depictions of Valentine's Day. Flying angels with bows and arrows, and other similar imagery, are common themes.

The Romans did not just borrow the Greek concept of Eros; they also molded it to fit their own understanding. By giving Cupid a father, the Romans trimmed down the family tree by removing the names of cupids Greek siblings and calling them all cupid. The number of cupids grew as well.

In art, Cupid is often depicted alongside other figures. For example, you might find images labelled "Cupid cherub god of love angel" or "cupid cherub, god of love, with a wings, bow and arrow." These combinations show the intersection of the different interpretations.

The proliferation of Cupid imagery is evident in the abundance of related content available. From the 440 free images of cupid on stock photo sites to the customer reviews for businesses, the symbol of Cupid is ever-present. Businesses like "Cupids Massage" and online shops selling "cupids angels svg eps line art" all capitalize on the enduring appeal of this symbol.

The visual language used to represent Cupid and related figures is diverse. Monochrome styles, golden figures, and silhouettes are employed. The Amur aiming in hearts of lovers is another example, as are sets of children in monochrome engraved styles, demonstrating the multifaceted character of Cupid.

From the stickers of cupid in a set to the cupids, angels and fantastic creatures, and even the candy shaped like cupids, angels, and hearts, Cupids presence saturates popular culture. This presence is not confined to any single artistic style. Cupid is found in drawings, illustrations, and vector art.

You are correct that the bible does not consider angels to look like babies with wings. Angels sometimes appear in human form, or in some inexplicable and terrifying guise. The best selection of royalty free cupid angel vector art, graphics and stock illustrations. Download 9,900+ royalty free cupid angel vector images.

Every year on feb. 14, valentines day is marked by shades of pink, flowers, chocolates, romantic movies and wine and images of a magical baby boy who flies around shooting arrows at people.

The association of Cupid with Valentines Day is undeniable. The image of the winged child is synonymous with the holiday and the broader themes of love and romance that it represents. The historical and cultural context of the symbols is key to the continued use of these images to express feelings of love and devotion.

Set Of Various Angels Or Cupids. Isolated Stock Vector Illustration

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1800s Artist Cupids & Angels Mythology and Goddess Set of 9 Etsy

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Statue of two kissing cupids angels Stock Photo Alamy

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