Cupid 愛神邱比特
Cupid is the most famous symbol of Valentine's Day. There have been many stories about him over the centuries. The most accepted one is that from Roman mythology1. In this tale, Cupid, the god of love, is the son of Venus. He is portrayed as a naughty naked baby with wings, holding a bow2 and a case of arrows3. Occasionally, he is wearing a blindfold4 symbolizing the saying, "Love is blind."
Anyone Cupid targets with the arrow will automatically fall in love with the next person they see. Because of his association with love, Cupid is quite popular in poetry, literature5, and art. Other countries have their own "Cupids". In Greece, the god of love is called Eros. In India, Kama is the one responsible for shooting arrows of love at people.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
邱比特是情人節最著名的象徵。許多關於他的故事已流傳了好幾世紀。其中眾所公認的是羅馬神話中的版本。故事中，愛神邱比特是維納斯之子。他被描繪成一個全身光溜溜，手拿弓箭，還有對翅膀的調皮小孩。他有時會帶眼罩，象徵俗語所說：『愛情是盲目的』。
被邱比特的箭瞄準到的人，會自動愛上下一個所見到的人。由於邱比特和愛之間的關聯，他在詩詞、文學及藝術作品中都相當受歡迎。其他國家也有自己的『邱比特』。希臘的愛神叫做 Eros。在印度，Kama 就是負責把箭射向人們的愛神。
《Building Your Vocabulary》
1.occasionally adv. 偶爾
Cindy and Andy occasionally go to the movies.
辛蒂和安迪偶爾會去看電影。
2.symbolize vt. 象徵
This wedding symbolizes our love for each other.
這場婚禮象徵了我們對彼此的愛。
3.target vt. 瞄準
The TV show targets young viewers.
這個電視節目鎖定的是年輕觀眾族群。
4.automatically adv. 自動地
The door automatically opens when you walk by it.
你經過這扇門，它就會自動開啟。
5.association n. 關聯
Leslie got fired because of her association with the criminal.
雷斯莉因她和這名罪犯之間的關聯而被革職。
《Phrases for Learning》
be portrayed as... 被描繪成……
The writer was portrayed as a terrible husband.
那位作家被描繪成一位糟糕的丈夫。
《參考字詞》
1.mythology n. 神話
2.bow n. 弓
3.arrow n. 箭
4.blindfold n. 眼罩
5.literature n. 文學
