Love is one of the most beautiful and powerful emotions we humans can experience. It can bring people together and make them feel like they are a part of something bigger than themselves.
There are 8 types of love, each with unique qualities and characteristics. Different types of love exist because we as human beings are complex creatures with a wide range of emotions. Therefore, we may experience different types of love at various times. For example, we may feel the love of a parent for a child (storge), the love of a friend (philia), or the love of a partner (eros). The type of love we feel depends on our relationship with the other person.
1. Agape Love
Most people consider agape or unconditional love the highest form of love. Agape love is selfless, sacrificial, and wholly unconditional and is the type of love we all strive to have. Agape love is best shown by being selfless and giving of yourself without expecting anything in return through acts of kindness, generosity, and compassion. This type of love is not focused on our own needs and desires but rather on the needs and welfare of others.
2. Eros Love
Eros love is passionate, physical love. It is often associated with sexual desire and is the type of love we see in Hollywood movies, a love that is intense and can sometimes be all-consuming.
As eros love is passionate, it is usually based on physical attraction and sexual desire. The lust aspect of eros love is often short-lived and does not usually last longer than a few months. Lust is generally more about satisfying our needs and desires than caring for another person.
Romantic love, on the other hand, is more profound and more lasting. Romantic love, or companionate love, develops from mutual respect, trust, and admiration. This type of love often grows stronger over time and can last a lifetime. Companionate love is usually more stable and fulfilling than lustful love.
The best way to show eros love is by being physical and expressing your desire for someone, which you can do through words, actions, or gifts.
3. Philia Love
Philia love is the love between friends. It is a deep, platonic, nonsexual love based on mutual respect, trust, and admiration. Philia love is considered more important than family ties.
The best way to show philia love is by being a good friend and being there for someone when they need you by offering your support, friendship, and loyalty.
The easiest way to know if you’re platonically in love with someone is to ask yourself how you feel around that person. For example, do you feel comfortable being yourself, or do you feel like you have to put on a persona? I am not physically attracted to this person? If you answered yes to these questions, you’re likely platonically in love with that person.
4. Storge Love
Storge love is familial love, the kind of love between parents and children, siblings, or other close relatives. This love is often taken for granted but can be very strong and powerful. Spending time with family and loved ones on special events, holidays, or everyday activities is how storge love is developed and shared.
There are seven types of parental love: maternal love, paternal love, filial love, sibling love, grandparental love, godparental love, and adoptive parent love. Maternal love is a mother’s love for her child and is instinctual and primal. In contrast, paternal love is a father’s love for his child, which is more protective and supportive.
Then there is Filial love, offspring-related love, which is the love between a parent and child and child and parent. Then, of course, there is sibling love, the love between brothers and sisters. This type of love can be either fraternal or platonic.
Grandparental love is the love between grandparents and their grandchildren, and Godparental love is the love between godparents and their godchildren. Adoptive parent love is the love between adoptive parents and their children, which can be either maternal or paternal.
5. Pragma Love
Pragma love or enduring love is the type of love that is based on practicality and reason. Pragma love is shared in long-term relationships or marriages where the couple has been together for many years. Pragma love is shown and shared daily by being practical and reasonable and by making decisions based on what is best for your relationship by communicating openly and honestly with your partner.
No matter what type of love you have for someone, it is important to cherish and appreciate it. Love is a remarkable thing that needs to be cherished and nurtured.
6. Consummate Love
Consummate love is the complete and perfect form of love as it includes three types of love, eros, philia, and agape. Consummate love is seen as the idealized form of love. Though rare, it is possible to find it in certain relationships.
7. Ludus love
Ludus love is a love of playfulness with no commitment. The person who flirts and teases another with no strings attached. Or the chaser who pursues another in love only for the chase is an example of Ludus love.
8. Self Love
How you love yourself is the type of love you will draw to yourself. If you have self-love, you can give and receive love easily. Conversely, finding and maintaining relationships will be more challenging if you don’t love yourself.
There are many different types of self-love, but they all have one thing in common: they involve taking care of oneself.
- Physical self-love: Physical self-love involves taking care of one’s physical body and includes eating healthy, exercising, getting enough sleep, and taking care of one’s appearance.
- Mental self-love: Mental self-love means caring for your mental health by reducing stress, practicing positive thinking, and spending time doing things that make you happy.
- Emotional self-love: Emotional self-love is about recognizing and healthily expressing your feelings, setting boundaries with others, and taking time for yourself.
- Spiritual self-love: Spiritual self-love is an exploration of your beliefs and values, connecting with nature, and meditating to determine and strengthen your spiritual self.
There are 4 Primary Emotions That Guide Everything including our ability to love ourselves. Self-love positively leads us to experience all other types of love and allows us to care for ourselves healthily. When we love ourselves, we are more likely to care for our bodies, minds, and emotions, resulting in a healthier and happier life and deeper love and acceptance for ourselves and others.
It is the foundation for all other types of love. If we do not have self-love, we will not be able to love others fully. It is also important to remember that love is not always easy. Relationships take work and effort, but the rewards of a happy and healthy relationship are well worth the effort.
Which Type Of Love Should You Aim For?
The type of love you aim for is very individualistic, so there is no right or wrong answer to this question. It depends on what you are looking for in a relationship and your self-love.
If you want something short-term and physical, eros love may be the best option. However, if you are looking for something more profound and lasting, agape or consummate love may be the better choice. There are many different theories about love and its psychology. Some experts believe that love is nothing more than a chemical reaction in our brains. Others believe that love is an emotion or feeling that we experience.
Regardless of what you believe, it is clear that love is a complex topic with many different facets. It is also clear that different types of love exist, and each style has unique qualities.
Love Is A Powerful Emotion
Love is a powerful emotion that impacts our lives that may lead to feeling happy, sad, anxious, and a range of other emotions. Love can also motivate us to do things we never thought possible.
There are different types of love, but they all have one common denominator, they make us feel good. Love can motivate us to do great things. Whether it’s the love of a parent for a child, love of a friend, or love of a partner, love is something that we all need in our lives.
Final Thoughts
The word “love” can represent many different things. It can express our love for our family, friends, and even ourselves. It can also mean the different types of love we may feel for others, including romantic, platonic, and unconditional love.
No matter the kind of love, love is always a powerful force. No one type of love is better than another, and we experience each type of love throughout our interactions daily.
Each kind of love has its unique qualities and characteristics and self love is precious.
