Venus, Adonis, Mars, Cupid, sylph

Venus, the Greek and Roman Goddess of Love and Beauty, was immortal; Adonis, a good-looking human being 
(a mortal), was the man she loved.  Adonis was fond of hunting, and despite warnings, one day he got too close 
to a wild boar (a kind of pig with tusks) and was killed.  Venus was heartbroken and turned him into a flower 
(the anemone).  Venus was also linked with Mars, the Roman God of War.  Mars was a passionate but often foolish 
warrior and lover.  Venus has a constant assistant called Cupid, the infant God of Love.  Sylphs were spirits that 
flew in the air in Greek mythology.  History has been very unkind to women ¡V and Venus is a good example.  
Her name has become associated with negative meanings: eg "venereal" "venal" "venality" (though the 
word "venerable" used to be commonly used, but no longer).  Common expressions: 

(a)  He's such a strong good-looking man.  He's a real Adonis!
(b)  He has a body like Adonis.
(c)  She's been struck by Cupid's arrow!
(d)  She has a body like a goddess.
(e)  Don't disturb those little Cupids [or love-birds].
(f)  I'm interested in the martial arts.
(g) She is so lovely and slim; she has a sylph-like body.







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