And, we’re sure much to Gus’ delight, we also have Greek mythology to thank for lots of the symbolism and imagery around the annual celebration of love that is Valentine’s Day.

While Valentine’s Day is a Christian tradition, its fascinating history is deeply rooted in both Roman and Greek mythology.

Take, for instance its central character, Cupid, the Roman God of love. Cupid is synonymous with Valentine’s Day. His iconic appearance—often as a small, winged child carrying a bow and arrows—has remained largely unchanged, representing the playful and unpredictable nature of romantic attraction. Cupid’s association with love has stood the test of time, winging his way into modern culture.

However, Cupid is the Roman interpretation of Eros, the Greek god of love and desire. In Greek mythology, Eros was considered one of the primordial deities, emerging from Chaos, or he was depicted as the mischievous son of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, and Ares, the god of war. Eros is also portrayed as a youthful, winged boy with a bow and arrows, which he used to make gods and mortals fall in love or suffer desire.

As Gus would be delighted to remind us, the Romans actually adopted many aspects of Greek mythology, including Eros, and reinterpreted him as Cupid. However, in Roman mythology, Cupid was the son of Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, and Mars, the god of war.

So, basically, Greek culture inspired Cupid — one of the most enduring symbols of love across the ages.

You may think this means that Valentine’s Day is widely celebrated in Greece, but it is not particularly ingrained in Greek culture, apart from in the larger cities.

Greece already has its own traditional festivals celebrating love, like the feast day of Saint Haralambos, which is observed on February 10th and is a day honouring love and protection.

But, Greece certainly knows how to embrace the spirit of love, each and every day, and its beautiful food, which is made for sharing, exudes romance.

So, if you want to bring some romantic vibes to your dinner table, a Greek-inspired menu makes a perfect Valentine’s treat. And, instead of spending hours in the kitchen, why not try some of our quick and easy Greek classics, from swirled pie to yummy gyros.