The birth of Aphrodite

She is thought to be born when Titan Cronus cut off parts of Urnas's body and threw them into the sea. The goddess suddenly arose from the water foaming and frothing. The waves then carried Aphrodite to the island of Cyprus.

Aphrodite

Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of love, beauty, and procreation, and her Roman name is Venus. Also, she has 15 children. Aphrodite is married to Hephaestus, but not all of her children are with Hephaestus. Aphrodite is known for having many men around her. Especially because she was not happy in her marriage with Hephaestus, she often desired other men.

Aphrodite's arrival

When Aphrodite arrived to Mount Olympus Zeus feared that the other Gods would fight each other for her hand in marriage. Zeus decided to demand Aphrodite to marry Hephaestus, unfortunately Aphrodite did not love Hephaestus the way he loves her. Hephaestus loved her so deeply that he tried to win her affection with things. He made Aphrodite a golden belt that sadly made her even more attractive, and people still wanted her.

Aphrodite's Myths & Legends

Glaucus of Corinth also had problems with Aphrodite. During the chariot race at King Pelias funeral, she decided to anger his horses. Eventually driving them mad making them tear him apart.

Polyphonte was a young woman who chose a virginal life with Artemis instead of marriage and children, as favored by Aphrodite. Aphrodite cursed her, making her have children with a bear. Then causing Agrius and Oreius to be born, they were wild cannibals who hated Zeus. Then the family were turned into birds.

More Myths & Legends

Aphrodite is in many stories, very big in the Trojan War, and the Judgement of Paris. Now there's also the Legend of Hippolytus, where she drove people mad. So, the story goes that Hippolytus scorned the worship of Aphrodite, preferring Artemis over her. Well that didn't make Aphrodite happy, so she made his step mother, Phaedra fall in love with him. Knowing that he would reject her then caused the suicide of Phaedra, and the death of Hippolytus.

Modern worship of Aphrodite

Since she is one of the Twelve Olympians of the Greek pantheon, worship of Aphrodite was very common. Hellenic polytheists today celebrate their religious devotion to Aphrodite on 2 annual and monthly festival days. Aphrodisia is her main festival day, it is on the 4th day of Hekatombaion in the attic calendar. There's also Adonia, a holiday celebrated with Adonis, this is in the first full moon of the Northern spring equinox. They use things such as incense, fruits, flowers, sweet dessert wine, and cakes made with honey, in honor to celebrate Aphrodite.