Recognizing 8 Types Of Love According To The Ancient Greeks

Pragma is a mature love between a couple that has grown and matured for many years. Commitment and dedication are required to achieve Pragma and it is also known as everlasting love.

• Love Catalyst: Etheric (Subconscious)
• The love catalyst for Pragma is the subconscious. We are driven towards each other unknowingly, but there is a sense of purpose in our unity.

How to Show Pragma: 

1. Strengthen long-term relationships.
2. Seek and show effort with our partner.
3. Choose to work with our partner forever.

Storge is a natural love common between close friends and between parents and children as well. This love is built on deep emotional connection and acceptance of each other. This love comes easily and immediately in parent and child relationships.

• Love Catalyst: Causal (Memories)
• The love catalyst for Storge is memories. As we create more memories the value and emotional attachment to the relationship increases.

How to Show Storge:

1. Sacrifice our time, self, or personal pleasures.
2. Quickly forgive harmful actions.
3. Share memorable and impactful moments.

Eros is a passionate love that is displayed through physical affection. This love is a desire for another person’s body and touch. Common displays are through kissing, holding hands and hugging.

• Love Catalyst: Physical Body (Hormones)
• Physical touch lights a fire in us and romantic actions create more admiration for our partner.

How to Show Eros:

1. Admiring someone’s physical body.
2. Physical touch, such as hugging and kissing.
3. Romantic affection.

Ludus is known as the “honeymoon stage” of relationships and consists of child-like play and teasing the one we are interested in. Although common in young couples, older couples who strive for this love find a more rewarding relationship.

• Love Catalyst: Astral (Emotion)
• Emotions inspire us to feel giddy and excited with our newer or newly interesting partner.

How to Show Ludus:

1. Flirt and engage in whimsical conversation.
2. Spend time together; laugh and have fun.
3. Engage in child-like behavior together.

Mania is an obsessive love with our partner and can lead to possessiveness and jealousy. Most cases of obsessiveness can lead to an imbalance in the relationship however a healthy dose of playfulness and romantic love can even out the relationship.

• Love Catalyst: Survival instinct
• Codependency can lead to a person feel desperate for their partner in order to find self-value. This lack of self-confidence can make a partner feel like they need the other to survive.

How to Avoid Mania:

1. Recognize obsessive behaviour and avoid acting on it.
2. Focus on ourselves more.
3. Put trust in our relationships.

Philautia is the practice of self-love and self-value. It also means we recognize our personal needs and are responsible for our well-being.

• Love Catalyst: Soul
• Our soul lets us understand our needs whether they are physical, emotional or mental.

How to Show Philautia:

1. Create an environment that nurtures our well-being.
2. Take care of ourselves as a parent would care for a child.
3. Spend time around people who support us.

Agape is the highest level of love a person can offer. Offering Agape is loving throughout any and all circumstances. Agape is not a physical act, it’s a feeling, but acts of self-love can elicit Agape since self-monitoring leads to results.

• Love Catalyst: Spirit
• Our spirit motivates us to be kind and shows others kindness before ourselves.

How to Show Agape:

1. Improve the lives of others.
2. Be conscious of our actions.
3. Offer our time and charity to people in need.