In fact, there are so many variants that make “love” what it is, the word itself almost doesn’t cut it. That’s why the Greeks came up with eight different words for the many types of love we commonly experience throughout our lifetime. It’s important to remember that no form of love is superior or inferior to another. They’re all just expressions of our deep-seated desire for connection and understanding. It’s a beautiful diversity that reflects the complexity of human relationships.
It can feel more like a hard-wired love compared to philia or eros. Storge may be different because it is typically related to dependency and familiarity rather than chosen through mutual feeling. We do not generally choose to experience storge; it may simply be part of our relationship with that person. We often say that we “love” our best friends, but it’s usually meant in an entirely different way than we would love a romantic partner. It’s typically a love that means you have a strong bond with someone, they are important to you, and you are emotionally connected to them, but you usually do not have romantic feelings for them.
Love is a complex and multifaceted emotion that can take on many different forms. While we often think of love in terms of romantic relationships, there are actually several different kinds of love that can manifest in our lives. Here are some of the most common types of love:
The point of learning the love languages is to identify both the way you give and want to receive love from your partner. If you both have very different love languages, it can cause problems in your relationship. Other people measure the quality of their love by how much time their significant other wants to spend with them. If they don’t get enough “together time,” then they might feel unloved. So, let’s take a look at the different types of love so you can better understand your own relationships. Enjoy each other’s company and the attraction you feel for each other while it is fresh and new.
1. Romantic Love
Eros is said to have been the one who blessed the union of Gaia and Uranus after which the Universe came into existence. Gaia was a Greek Goddess; she symbolized the Earth and was the mother of everything. If you planning cards for your agape loves, good luck on that one.
Though challenging, caring deeply even for strangers and those different from us elevates human dignity. Philia represents the benevolent love between dear trusted friends and community. It centers on mutual well-wishing and companionship without the intensity or conditions of romantic bonds. These diverse Greek conceptions of love offer a meaningful framework for illuminating the full tapestry of affection in our lives. Based on this view of romantic love, Rubin developed two questionnaires to measure these variables, known as Rubin’s Scales of Liking and Loving.
Romantic love is what most people think of when they hear the word “love.” This type of love involves intense emotions, physical attraction, and a deep connection with another person. It typically involves a desire for intimacy and companionship, and can lead to long-term partnerships such as marriage.
2. Familial Love
Familial love is the love that exists between family members, such as parents and children, siblings, or extended relatives. This type of love is often unconditional and can provide a sense of security and belonging within a family unit.
3. Platonic Love
Platonic love is a non-sexual, non-romantic form of love that exists between friends. This type of love is based on mutual respect, understanding, and shared experiences. Platonic love can be just as deep and meaningful as romantic love, but without the sexual component.
4. Self-Love
Self-love, also known as self-care or self-compassion, is the practice of caring for oneself and treating oneself with kindness and respect. This type of love is essential for overall well-being and can help individuals build confidence and resilience in the face of life’s challenges.
5. Unconditional Love
Unconditional love is a type of love that is given freely, without expecting anything in return. This type of love is often associated with the love of a parent for a child, or the love between partners who have been together for a long time. Unconditional love is about accepting someone for who they are, flaws and all.
