When people think of love deities – gods and goddesses, the same names usually pop up: Aphrodite, Cupid, maybe Freyja or Eros.
But the world is filled with forgotten deities who once ruled over desire, passion, devotion, and the softer shades of affection.
They carried stories of romance and heartbreak, lust and loyalty, and their myths shaped how entire cultures viewed relationships.
Some were bold and fiery, others gentle and protective, but all reveal how love has always been central to human imagination.
1. Tlazolteotl – The Aztec Goddess of Desire and Purification
In Aztec mythology, Tlazolteotl embodied the messy, complicated side of love. She was the goddess of lust, indulgence, and sin, but she was also the one who purified souls afterward.
People confessed their romantic misdeeds to her, believing she could cleanse them of guilt.
Tlazolteotl’s dual nature made her both feared and revered — she reminded everyone that love could be messy but also healing.
She wasn’t a simple goddess of passion; she was the keeper of both temptation and forgiveness, a mirror of how chaotic relationships can sometimes feel.
2. Kamadeva – The Hindu God of Desire
Kamadeva was known as the god of love and attraction in Hindu tradition, armed with a bow made of sugarcane and arrows tipped with fragrant flowers. Instead of harming, his arrows inspired desire in those struck by them.
His story with Shiva is one of the most famous, as Kamadeva tried to stir desire in the great god during his meditation and was burned to ashes by Shiva’s fiery gaze.
Even after his destruction, Kamadeva’s spirit lingered as Ananga, the bodiless one, showing that love can never truly be destroyed, even when bodies fade.
3. Oshun – The Yoruba Orisha of Sweet Waters and Love
Oshun is one of the most beloved Orishas in Yoruba mythology. She rules over rivers, fertility, beauty, and romantic relationships.
She is often described as sensual and kind but also fierce when disrespected. Lovers prayed to her for harmony and affection, leaving honey and sweets by rivers to win her favor.
Oshun’s charm lay not just in passion but in balance, reminding people that love requires gentleness, generosity, and care.
Her worship still thrives today in Afro-Caribbean traditions, where she is honored in rituals of dance, song, and offerings.
4. Rati – The Hindu Goddess of Love and Pleasure
Often paired with Kamadeva, Rati personified love, lust, and passion in her own right. She was not only his consort but a powerful goddess of desire who continued her role even after Kamadeva’s fiery end.
Myths describe her as endlessly devoted, embodying the union of pleasure and loyalty. Her presence in rituals highlighted that love is not just about fleeting attraction.
It’s also about intimacy, affection, and the deep joy of connection. She was often invoked in fertility ceremonies and was thought to bring vitality to marriages.
5. Bes – The Egyptian Protector of Households and Lovers
At first glance, Bes might not seem like a love god. He was a dwarf deity with a lion-like face, often shown with a protruding tongue and feathered headdress.
But this household guardian was beloved in Egypt, especially by couples. He protected marriages, encouraged fertility, and was believed to ward off jealousy and disharmony in relationships.
His funny, playful image brought laughter into homes, which made him a favorite among lovers.
Unlike lofty deities worshiped in temples, Bes was personal and close, a reminder that love flourishes in laughter and everyday intimacy.
6. Xochiquetzal – The Aztec Goddess of Flowers and Young Love
Xochiquetzal’s name means “precious feather flower,” and her presence was as colorful as her title. She presided over beauty, fertility, flowers, and youthful passion.
Young couples often prayed to her for blessings, hoping she would grant joy and sweetness to their unions.
Myths describe her as eternally youthful, embodying the fleeting but intoxicating energy of first love.
She was celebrated during festivals filled with flowers, music, and dances — a living symbol of how love thrives best when surrounded by joy and beauty.
7. Suijin – The Japanese Water Deity of Harmony
Suijin is often remembered as a protector of water sources in Shinto belief, but he also had ties to harmony and relationships.
Water itself was seen as a bridge between people, cleansing and connecting them. Offerings to Suijin were not just about safety, but also about forming peaceful bonds, including those of love and companionship.
Couples sometimes sought his blessing by rivers or wells, hoping that his flowing waters would keep their relationship balanced.
Suijin’s gentle nature reflected how calm, steady affection sustains romance long after the rush of passion.
8. Astarte – The Near Eastern Goddess of Fertility and Desire
Astarte was worshiped across ancient Canaan, Phoenicia, and beyond. She was a goddess of fertility, sexuality, and war — an unusual combination that revealed how love and power often intertwined.
She was associated with doves, lions, and the planet Venus, symbols that tied her to both tenderness and strength.
People turned to her not only for passion but also for the resilience needed to keep relationships alive through challenges.
She was fiery and commanding, a goddess who showed that love is not always gentle but can also be fierce and unyielding.
9. Hathor – The Egyptian Goddess of Joy and Affection
Hathor is often remembered for her roles as goddess of music, dance, and motherhood, but she also reigned over love and affection.
She was often called the “Mistress of the West,” guiding souls into the afterlife, yet her earthly presence was linked to romance and celebration.
Lovers prayed to Hathor to bless unions with happiness and laughter. Her symbols — the cow, sistrum, and mirror — reflected beauty, abundance, and joy, making her a beloved figure in weddings and festivals.
10. Clíodhna – The Irish Goddess of Love and Beauty
Clíodhna, from Irish mythology, was a goddess of love, beauty, and the sea. Her story tells of her three magical birds whose songs could heal and soothe those who heard them.
She was said to fall in love with mortal men, though tragedy often followed, reflecting the bittersweet nature of romance.
In some tales, she drowned after leaving the Otherworld to be with her lover, symbolizing the risks people take for love.
Despite her tragic stories, Clíodhna remained a figure of allure and tenderness, a reminder of how love can be both enchanting and perilous.
私は生まれたときから、常に神との強いつながりを感じていた。作家として、また指導者として、私の使命は、人々が最も暗い時代に愛と幸福と内なる強さを見つけるのを助けることである。