Aphrodite goddess of love, beauty and fertility, also a protectress of sailors.

Background Information Zeus gave her hand in marriage to Hephaestus, because he feared she would be the cause of conflict between the gods. Aphrodite agreed to marry him but everyday she would find out something new about him and she began to hate him. He was very lame, conceited and even ugly so Aphrodite decided that she could only satisfy herself by having secret love affairs, such as the one with Ares, the god of war.

Background Information Pt. 2 Aphrodite had a son who took after her and became the god of love. His name was Eros, and was a mischievous little boy. He had a nice set of arrows and a magical bow, and whoever was hit by an arrow fell madly in love with the first person in sight. He took advantage of his power and caused much trouble between the people.

Background Information Pt. 3 According to Homer, a great poet from Greece, Aphrodite was the daughter of Zeus and Dione. However, many other people believe that Aphrodite sprang out from the foam left in the sea after Zeus killed Cronos and threw his genitals in the sea. She was full-grown, and was standing in a shell She eventually washed up on the coast of Cyprus where the three graces were waiting for her. The word “aphro” means foam in the Greek language, which is probably the reason that so many people believe she was created in a scallop in the sea and rose from the foam of the sea. Once a year, Aphrodite would go and visit the same sea she was born in and she would dive into it. When she came out she was as beautiful as the first day she was born.

Children She had a number of children from these unions, in fact, she bore children to most everybody except her husband.

Weaponry/Paraphernalia: Aphrodite wears a girdle, which by its nature is supposed to increase upon her female attraction and makes her even more irresistible.

Unusual Physical Characteristics : Aphrodite is extraordinarily beautiful, perfectly proportioned, and possesses no physical flaws whatsoever! She is the greatest example of female beauty and one of the most perfect female beings in existence.

Symbols of Aphrodite General: scallop shell, seashells, mirrors, golden apples, the Evening Star (planet Venus), number 5, the ocean, and the triangle Animals: dolphin, swan, dove, sparrow, bees, and goats Plants: Rose, quince, myrtle, mint and grape (fruit, leaves, and vines), apples, artichokes, laurel, ash and poplar trees Perfumes/Scents: Stephanotis, musk, verbena, vanilla, incense, and roses Gems and Metals: Pearls, gold, aquamarine, rose quartz, jade, sapphire, silver, and copper Colors: Red, pink, violet, silver, aqua, pale green (sea foam), and any shade of light blue

War, Love and Sex

Ares The god of war Worshiped across the Greek World Son of Zeus and Hera Lover of Aphrodite Known for being strong and a brutal warrior

Aphrodite was married to the craftsman-god Hephaestus but also had many lovers. Helios, the Sun, spotted Aphrodite and Ares together, and told Hephaestus. He produced a wonderful net, as strong as adamantine, which fell over the couple as they lay together in bed, capturing them in the act of adultery.

Hephaestus triumphantly summoned the gods to witness the outrage, but they laughed, Hermes and Apollo joking that it was worth the shame of being caught, to sleep with him wife. Ares was freed, but had to agree to pay Hephaestus in recompense. The lovers left in embarrassment.

Works Cited “Aphrodite.” MythWeb Fleet Gazelle. 25 March “Goddess Symbols of Aphrodite.” GoddessGift The Goddess Path. 26 March “Aphrodite.“ Angelfire.Lycos Lycos Inc. 26 March Willis, Roy Ed. World Mythology. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1993.