The Greeks studied love and signified eight different types giving each a Greek name.#1. Philia – Affectionate LovePhilia or “brotherly love” is love without romantic strings and usually occurs between friends or family. When individuals share the same values and respect for each other they display Philia. <ul><li>Love Catalyst: The Mind </li><li>Our mind decides who we can trust based on feelings of respect and familiarity.</li></ul>How to Show Philia:<ol><li>Engage in deep conversation with a friend.</li><li>Be open and trustworthy.</li><li>Be supportive in hard times.</li></ol>

8 Types Of Love

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.<ul><li>Love Catalyst: Etheric (Subconscious)</li><li>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.</li></ul>How to Show Pragma: <ol><li>Strengthen long-term relationships.</li><li>Seek and show effort with our partner.</li><li>Choose to work with our partner forever.</li></ol>

#2. Pragma – Enduring Love

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.<ul><li>Love Catalyst: Causal (Memories)</li><li>The love catalyst for Storge is memories. As we create more memories the value and emotional attachment to the relationship increases.</li></ul>How to Show Storge:<ol><li>Sacrifice our time, self, or personal pleasures.</li><li>Quickly forgive harmful actions.</li><li>Share memorable and impactful moments.</li></ol>

#3. Storge – Familiar Love

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.<ul><li>Love Catalyst: Astral (Emotion)</li><li>Emotions inspire us to feel giddy and excited with our newer or newly interesting partner.</li></ul>How to Show Ludus: <ol><li>Flirt and engage in whimsical conversation.</li><li>Spend time together; laugh and have fun.</li><li>Engage in child-like behavior together.</li></ol>

#5. Ludus – Playful Love

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.<ul><li>Love Catalyst: Survival instinct</li><li>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.</li></ul>How to Avoid Mania: <ol><li>Recognize obsessive behaviour and avoid acting on it.</li><li>Focus on ourselves more.</li><li>Put trust in our relationships.</li></ol>

#6. Mania – Obsessive Love

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.<ul><li>Love Catalyst: Soul</li><li>Our soul lets us understand our needs whether they are physical, emotional or mental.</li></ul>How to Show Philautia: <ol><li>Create an environment that nurtures our well-being.</li><li>Take care of ourselves as a parent would care for a child.</li><li>Spend time around people who support us.</li></ol>

#7. Philautia – Self Love

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.<ul><li>Love Catalyst: Spirit</li><li>Our spirit motivates us to be kind and shows others kindness before ourselves.</li></ul>How to Show Agape: <ol><li>Improve the lives of others.</li><li>Be conscious of our actions.</li><li>Offer our time and charity to people in need.</li></ol>

#8. Agape – Selfless Love

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.<ul><li>Love Catalyst: Physical Body (Hormones)</li><li>Physical touch lights a fire in us and romantic actions create more admiration for our partner.</li></ul>How to Show Eros: <ol><li>Admiring someone’s physical body.</li><li>Physical touch, such as hugging and kissing.</li><li>Romantic affection.</li></ol>

#4. Eros – Romantic Love

A love catalyst is the part of ourselves that enhance our experience with a type of love and can provoke certain feelings to arise. These feelings can lead to positive emotions like euphoria that can enhance our relationship with a romantic partner, friend or with ourselves. For example, affectionate love is propelled by the mind and self-love is intensified by the soul.

Love Catalyst

Utilizing a combination of different love types can create something beautiful. While there isn’t a perfect equation for every relationship, be conscious of the different love catalysts to help us feel the different kinds of love. 

Recognize the 8 types of love according to the ancient Greeks

Understand yourself and those around you.

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Psychology

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Philosophy

problemsolving

Problem Solving

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Communication

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Love & Relationships

Recognizing 8 Types Of Love According To The Ancient Greeks

Healthy relationships don’t look the same for everyone since people have different needs. Our specific needs around communication, sex, affection, space, shared hobbies or values, and so on may change throughout life.So, a relationship that works in our 20s may be nothing like the relationship we want in our 30s.In short, “healthy relationship” is a broad term because what makes a relationship thrive depends on the needs of the people in it.

What Makes a Relationship Healthy?

<ol><li>Respect for privacy and space. We don’t have to be with our partner 24/7.</li><li>Our partner encourages us to spend time with friends without them, and to participate in activities that we enjoy.</li><li>We feel comfortable expressing our opinions and concerns to our partner.</li><li>Our feel physically safe and our partner doesn’t force us to have sex or to do things that make we feel uncomfortable.</li><li>Our partner respects our wishes and feelings and we can compromise and negotiate when there are disagreements or conflicts.</li></ol>

Characteristics of Healthy Relationships

4. ConsentMost commonly used when we’re being sexually active, giving consent means that we are okay with what is happening, and that no one is forcing us or guilting us into doing anything that we don’t want to do. Consent can be given and taken back at any time, and giving consent once does not mean we automatically give consent in the future.

Pt. 2 ~ The foundation of a healthy relationship includes:

1. BoundariesWe and our partner are able to find ways to meet each other’s’ needs in ways that we both feel comfortable with.2. CommunicationWe and our partner can share our feelings, even when we don’t agree, in a way that makes the other person feel safe, heard, and not judged.3. TrustBuilding trust can take time and allows couples to be vulnerable with one another knowing that they can rely on the other person.

Recognizing 8 Types Of Love According To The Ancient Greeks

10 ways to improve communication in relationships

It's time to
Read like a Pro.

Recognizing 8 Types Of Love According To The Ancient Greeks

10 ways to improve communication in relationships

It's time to Read like a Pro.

It's time to
Read like a Pro.