According to Psychologists People always relate the word love to that of “Romantic Love”, but there are actually about 7 different types of love in the word that many of us don’t know about. Together, let’s discover love and how it differs from each other.

What is Love?

Love, as defined in the Dictionary, is an “intense feeling of deep affection” or “a great interest and pleasure on something”. Love is a favorite topic of philosophers and writers where they relate it to the nature of human. Until today, the concept of love is still an interesting subject of researchers.

There are many definitions of love and most of which were made popular by writers, philosophers and even psychologists. We’ve listed down a few of these notable definitions where you could get inspiration from:

  • “Any general aspiration towards the good things and to happiness, that’s Love.” – Plato
  • “Love has always based on the renunciation of individual property” – Tolstoy
  • ” Love is a passion that can arise in us without in any way we could see if the object that causes it is good or bad” – Descartes
  • “If music be the food of love, play on.” – William Shakespeare
  • “We loved with a love that was more than love.” – Edgar Allan Poe 
  • “You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” – Dr. Seuss
  • “Love, it is said, is blind, but love is not blind. It is an extra eye, which shows us what is most worthy of regard. To see the best is to see most clearly, and it is the lover’s privilege.” – J.M. Barrie
  • “Love is like the wind, you can’t see it but you can feel it.”- Nicholas Sparks

7 Types of Love

1. Eros or Passionate Love

Eros is a Greek concept that refers to sensual or passionate love. In the Greek mythology, Eros is a form of madness that was caused by Cupid’s Arrows. Once the arrow breaches a person, it falls in love then. Like how Helen captured Paris’ heart, causing the start of Trojan War.

This type of love is a combination of intimacy and passion towards each other. It is when you feel butterflies in your stomach whenever you see your loved one. The passion is emanating within you and intimacy is just another factor of showing your love.

2. Philia or Friendship

Philia is born out of eros and its goal is to strengthen it. Friendship is good in itself and is concerned not only on its mutual benefits. It is also a form of companionship, dependability and trust towards each other. It is said that the best kind of friendship is that exists between lovers towards each other.

Friendship is a wonderful thing. True and real friendship seeks to teach each other about life and become each other’s personal therapist. In friendship, there is an unmeasurable amount of openness towards each other.

3. Storge or Familial Love

Familial love is distinct to other types of lovesas it is born out of familiarity and dependency on each other as a family.  Through many experiences and time, you get to be closer together creating that familial love.

4. Agape or Universal Love

This is a type of love that can be given to everyone: strangers, environment and even to God. Dependency, intimacy, passion and familiarity does not play a role in this type of live. Agape is not selfish and encompasses concern for everyone and everything. It does not expect anything and just gives.

5. Ludus or Uncommitted Love

Even players, Love too. Ludus or Uncommitted love is the type of love that one gives when they are trying to flirt or seduce someone without commitment. It is a playful kind of love between two mature adults who understand the type of relationship they are in. Ludus may become Eros depending on the people in this type of love.

6. Pragma or Practical Love

Practical Love that is often seen in arranged marriages. It focuses on the reason and duty of love rather than the passion or intimacy. Its goal is usually long-term.

7. Philautia or Self-Love

Self-love may either be healthy or unhealthy. It might make you arrogant, but it may also increase your self-confidence or self-esteem. It depends on the person on which path they want to take. People with healthy self-love found themselves invested in different ideas that were either successful or not. Setbacks do not scare them, instead it makes them even stronger.