Definitions
Psyche [sahyk]

Psyche

[sahyk]
Psyche, in Greek mythology, personification of the human soul. She was so lovely that Eros (Cupid), the god of love, fell in love with her. He swept her off to a beautiful, isolated castle but forbade her to look at him since he was a god. When she disobeyed, he abandoned her, but she ceaselessly searched for him, performing difficult and dangerous tasks, until at last she was reunited with him forever and made immortal.

Psyche, depicted with wings, classical sculpture; in the Louvre, Paris

In Greek and Roman mythology, a beautiful princess who won Cupid's love. Her beauty was such that worshipers began to turn away from Venus, and the envious goddess commanded her son Cupid to make Psyche fall in love with the most despicable of men. But Cupid himself fell in love with Psyche and hid her in a remote place, where he visited her secretly under cover of darkness. One night she lit a lamp and discovered her lover's identity. He left angrily, and Psyche wandered the earth searching for him and was captured by Venus. After Cupid rescued Psyche, Jupiter made her immortal and gave her in marriage to Cupid.

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Psyche may refer to:

Scientific journals

See also

  • Psych, a television program airing on USA Network, starring James Roday
  • Psychidae, the bagworm moths

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