Parents: Born from the sea foam of Uranus

Birth: When the Titan Cronus severed Uranus and cast his remains into the sea, a white foam arose from the waves. From this foam, Aphrodite emerged fully grown and impossibly beautiful, drifting ashore on the island of Cyprus.

Story: Aphrodite was the goddess of love, beauty, and desire. Her power was so great that she could make any god or mortal fall helplessly in love. She was married to Hephaestus, the god of the forge, but carried on a famous love affair with Ares, the god of war. Aphrodite played a crucial role in starting the Trojan War — she promised the mortal prince Paris the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen of Sparta, in exchange for winning the Judgment of Paris. Her magical golden girdle made anyone who wore it irresistibly attractive.

The Trojan War: Aphrodite's role in the Trojan War began with the Judgment of Paris. When Eris, the goddess of discord, threw a golden apple inscribed "To the Fairest" among the goddesses, Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite each claimed it. Zeus appointed the Trojan prince Paris to judge. Aphrodite promised Paris the most beautiful woman in the world — Helen, wife of King Menelaus of Sparta. Paris chose Aphrodite, took Helen to Troy, and so began the ten-year Trojan War that destroyed an entire civilization. During the war, Aphrodite fiercely protected Paris and the Trojans, even entering the battlefield herself, where she was wounded by the Greek hero Diomedes.

Aphrodite and Adonis: Aphrodite fell deeply in love with Adonis, a mortal man so beautiful that even the goddess of beauty was captivated. She warned him to avoid hunting dangerous animals, but Adonis was fearless. While hunting a wild boar — some say sent by a jealous Ares — Adonis was gored and killed. Aphrodite rushed to him but arrived too late. Where his blood fell, red anemone flowers sprang from the earth. Heartbroken, Aphrodite appealed to Zeus, who decreed that Adonis would spend part of each year in the Underworld and part on earth with Aphrodite — echoing the cycle of the seasons like Persephone.

Symbol: Dove, swan, myrtle, seashell, mirror.

Represents: Love, beauty, desire, and pleasure.