Love is a Many Splendored Thing and So Are Its Feminine Incarnations.

From Dharamsala to Brussels, Valentine’s Day resonates globally with its celebration of love. Whether rooted in the St. Valentine’s legacy or masking the Pagan Lupercalia festival, the universal themes of love and fertility persist. Today, we focus on the feminine embodiments of love worldwide, embracing the hope that love and life will triumph. Celebrate love for oneself and others by exploring our free film collection, Voices for Change.
By Heidi Basch-Harod and Erin Pedersen
Love is a Many Splendored Thing and So Are Its Feminine Incarnations
Source 1: Getty Images
Love is a Many Splendored Thing and So Are Its Feminine Incarnations
Source 2: Tea and Rosemary

The Goddess Oshun of West Africa.

Oshun is a goddess of love, fertility, and beauty in the Yoruba religion of West Africa. She is associated with rivers, especially the Oshun River in Nigeria. Dressed in yellow and gold, she is known for her love of music and dance.


Source: Tea and Rosemary

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

Freyja of the Norse Mythological Tradition.

Freyja is the goddess of love, fertility, and war in Norse mythology. She is associated with beauty, sexuality, and gold. Invoked in love spells and fertility rituals, she is also considered a protector of women and children.


Source: Tea and Rosemary

Love is a Many Splendored Thing and So Are Its Feminine Incarnations
Source 3: Tea and Rosemary
Love is a Many Splendored Thing and So Are Its Feminine Incarnations
Source 4: Tea and Rosemary

Rati is the Hindu Goddess of Love.

Rati is the Hindu goddess of love, beauty, and sexual desire, and is believed to be the embodiment of feminine beauty and grace. A symbol of abundance and prosperity, she is also associated with fertility. Wearing a crown of flowers and adorned with jewelry, she has the power to arouse desire and passion in people’s hearts.


Source: Tea and Rosemary

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

Awhinui of Maori Tradition.</span

Awhinui symbolizes Māori women who remain open-hearted, embracing all and giving unconditional love and support, despite all her hard times. Her likeness can be made from ōnewa (a dark grey stone), fashioned into an amulet and threaded through with a cord.

Source: Garland MagazineTe Aka Maori Dictionary

Love is a Many Splendored Thing and So Are Its Feminine Incarnations
Masterworks Gallery NZ.
XOCHIQUETZAL - Love is a Many Splendored Thing and So Are Its Feminine Incarnations
Latino Heritage Internship Program

Xochiquetzal the Mother of All Humanity.

In Aztec mythology, Xochiquetzal is the goddess of love, art, dance, and music. She is represented by the dove. Those who were faithful to her would spend eternity in her paradise. It is believed that all of the different races and languages came from her children, hence she became Mother of the World.


Source: Latino Heritage Internship Program

Questions to Our Readers

What’s your definition of love? What is the power of love in your own words, or in the lyrics of your favorite song?

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

Stay Informed with our Newsletter.

Receive exclusive invitations to our programs; free films to watch from free film collection Voices For Change; news about gender equality around the world; and access to our partners’ programs.

Watch films related
to this topic

This Is Not a Love Letter

The Beauty in Being Different

A Letter to You

Read posts related
to this topic