Cupid is the Roman god depicted as a cherub on Valentine’s Day cards.
In Roman mythology, Cupid—also called Amor—is the god of desire, attraction, erotic love, and affection. He is traditionally described as the son of Venus, the goddess of love, and Mars, the god of war. His Greek counterpart is Eros.
Cupid’s familiar image combines classical mythology with later European art. Ancient artists often showed him as a winged child or youth, carrying a bow and arrows. Renaissance and modern artists increasingly emphasized his chubby, childlike appearance, which helped create the “cherub” look seen on cards, decorations, and advertisements.
Strictly speaking, Cupid is not a cherub in Christian theology. A cherub is a type of angel, while Cupid is a pagan Roman deity. The card image is better described as a putto—a winged child in art—although popular culture routinely uses “cherub” for this figure. The bow and arrow symbolize love’s sudden, sometimes uncontrollable power.