Four Levels of Love

The word love is Universal and even a little child can relate to that word. But its meaning is so broad that the single word "Love" can mean so many different things in totally different ways; For example, when I say "I love my husband." It doesn't mean the same as when I say "I love chocolates." Or "I love my pet hamster." Right? All sentences used the word "Love" but the question is, on what level of love is that?

During the time of Caesar, there were four major Greek words that served as guide to the levels of love.

Eros Love

This term is derived from the Greek god Eros, who is the god of love. He is the son of Aphrodite who is the goddess of love and beauty. This level of love speaks of passion and yearning to be intimate with someone. This kind of love is more physical or lustful than emotional in nature.

So if you find yourself in a passionate and reckless kind of love then you better think again. If somehow you feel that there is something missing or there is doubt that the person you are with is the one you will be spending the rest of your life with, then your love for the person is most likely in the Eros Love level.

In an Eros Love relationship everything feels so right when you are intimate with each other. But beyond the bedroom, many doubts and fears loom because the love is based only on the physical and that is not the kind of love that would last for a long time.

Storge Love

The word Storge is a Greek word that means "affection." Storge love is similar to platonic love or brotherly love. This is also used to describe the love of the parent to the child and vice versa.

Storge Love also is seen in age gap relationships having one being so much older than the other. Girls who seek older men may have had issues with their fathers. This manifests in their choice of mate to being a father figure image.

In some relationships that start with friendship, a storge love develops. Some friends crossover the friendzone and become lovers. They usually confuse the storge love with romantic love because of their fondness for each other. They have gotten so used to being with each other and a certain need has been developed for each other and it seems unheard of to be without the other. Still, in a storge love level, there is the feeling of discontent and of being incomplete because most of the times, the brotherly love overcomes the romance element in the relationship.

Phileo Love

Phileo is another Greek word that means "a glow of the heart" or "A deep emotional feeling." This may be associated with what we call romantic love. The typical boy meets girl, they fall in love and live happily ever after. It is a kind of relationship where you give love and wish for that love to be returned. Many romances are in this level where a give and take is done between the man and woman.

The only problem with Phileo love is its sense of selfishness and jealousy. Since every act of love expects something in return, problems happen when it is not reciprocated.

Agape Love

They say Agape love can be called true love. Just like God's love for all of us. It is selfless and giving. People who truly love in the agape level do not ask for anything in return from the one they love. Their joy comes from making the one they love happy regardless of their own sake. There is a sense of sacrifice, respect and trust in this kind of love. Just like the lyrics of a song that says ".....if you love someone, then set them free. If they come back again, then in the end, it was meant to be...." A person who loves in the agape level can be considered very lucky to be loved back the very same way.

By Sheila Noreen Lopez - Gamo.