Honor the Four Types of Love
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching I wanted to write about Love. Not just romantic love but other types of love as well. After reading this article my hope is you will honor the four types of love. You can express feelings of love with flowers, fruit or gift baskets for any type of love at any time you desir
There are moments in your life when, you may want to say I love you to a friend or even a person you have recently met, and you may feel uncomfortable doing so.
Do you feel saying I love you, is only appropriate for lovers and family members? Saying I love you may roll off the tongue of some, and you may wonder how this is possible? It is because they understand the four types of love.
Psychologist thinks there are as many as eight kinds of love however, we are only going to discuss the four commonly known types.
Storge
Sometimes called empathy and bonding love. This love is likening to the feelings a parent has for their child, very warm and diffuse. It is also a fondness or sincere caring for a sibling, or any family member.
This type of love is not very discriminating and is usually a natural family bond. This is the first kind of love you know, and it is so important because it lays the foundation for all other types of love you experience in your life.
Eros
Erotic comes from the word Eros. You can see how this is called romantic love. This is the sexual or intimate passion you feel for a lover. This is sexual and wanting love with very strong feelings. Basically it is a type of love that arouses sensual feelings.
Eros love can over time evolve into other types of love. An example of that would be a newlywed couple experience Eros love, that evolves into another type of love as the years pass. Love, nonetheless.
Philios
Sometimes called a friend or brotherly love. This is the love you feel for a good friend. Two people who share common beliefs, ideals and activities. This can be a friend or a family member. This is the kind of love you feel when a friend shares a painful experience with you, and you show empathy, understanding, and non-judgment becoming closer friends.
Agape
Unconditional love. This love is special because it covers everyone else in the world besides your lover, family, and friends. This love is a feeling that can be controlled by most people and you can accept it or reject it. Interesting. This one I feel you need to guard the most because it is so easy to get distracted from love to loathing.
What do I mean? How do you feel about someone who fervently disagrees with you? Do you allow them to be who they are and love them anyway or do you dislike and show disdain for them? Maybe only God can honor agape love. How do you feel about that?
Somethings to ponder over.
- Do you strive to show agape love in your everyday life?
- How would your life change if you did?
Now that you have an understanding of the four main types of love go forth with it, express it, share it freely and often say it, I love you!
“Love is the bridge between you and everything.” RUMI
Scroll down this page and share your thoughts on love.
Honor Yourself!
I really enjoyed this treatise on the four types of love. One thing I found confusing is when you said Agape love is not a feeling. What do you mean by that?
Other than that very good.
Harriette,
Thank you for the reminder that there is a lot more to love than than just warm cozy feelings. I think it is important to know that love often involves a choice on our part regardless of what others around us may be doing with their words and actions. I think we can all participate in agape love, yet, it is the most difficult one to do, but possibly the one with the greatest reward!
I love this helpful and confirming advice. The definitions are insightful and the reminder to practice agape essential to wellbeing. A good reminder for every day, especially in these trying times. Thank you, Harriet!
This is pretty interesting. I think I can relate most to philios and storge love out of the four. This is the first time I have heard of these types of love, but I am familiar with the five love languages: words of affirmation, gift giving, deeds, quality time and physical touch.
Lovely food for thought any day, not just for Valentine’s day
I LOVE this article! LOVE as in I found it powerful, inspirational, and a call to “up the love ante” with Agape Love. I do not believe that God is the only one who can agape love. I believe that with God’s help, we can all practice agape love.
Thank-you Harriette for YOUR agape love in calling us all up higher!
Lauri, I do try to practice Agape Love. It is not always easy however it is
the love to aspire to. Thank you so much for your comment.
Ronda, thank you. Valentine’s Day made me think of the many types of love I
am blessed to share. You are one of them, my love.
Kailormiller, Thank you for your comment. You too are one of my special loves.
I am so happy you learned something from this article.
Marilyn, you really got the jest of what I am saying. We strive for…
Thank you so much.
Yes, yes and yes. Agape love can be a challenge and I agree it can offer the greatest rewards.
I like being open to the idea. Thank you.
Louise, thank you for asking for clarification. I did change it to read clearer.
Thank you so much.
Harriette,
You have a wonderful way of expressing love in everything that you do. Great article.
Thank you so much!
Oh Laurie, thank you so much!