In Greek mythology, Pothos is the personification of longing, desire, and yearning—specifically the ache of wanting someone who is absent or unattainable. He is one of the Erotes, the winged gods of love, and appears in art and poetry as a companion of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, and her son Eros.
Who Was Pothos?
Pothos (Greek: Πόθος) embodies the bittersweet feeling of desire for something or someone that is out of reach. Unlike Eros, who represents passionate, often impulsive love, and Himeros, who personifies uncontrolled desire or lust, Pothos is the longing that comes with separation. In ancient Greek thought, this distinction mattered: Eros was the active force of love, Himeros was the immediate rush of attraction, and Pothos was the persistent ache of wanting what you cannot have.
In art, Pothos is usually depicted as a young, winged male figure, sometimes holding a vine or a branch, and often shown with a dreamy or melancholic expression. He appears on vases, mosaics, and reliefs, frequently alongside Aphrodite, Eros, and other Erotes. The famous 4th-century BC sculptor Skopas made a statue of Pothos, which was later copied by Roman artists—a sign of how popular this figure was in antiquity.
Family and Origins
Pothos’s parentage varies depending on the source, as is common for minor mythological figures. In some traditions, he is the son of Aphrodite and Ares, the god of war, which would make him a brother to Eros, Anteros, and Himeros. Other accounts say he is the child of Zephyrus, the west wind, and Iris, the rainbow messenger, tying him to the airy, fleeting nature of desire. A few later writers, like the poet Nonnus in his Dionysiaca, describe him as a companion of Dionysus, the god of wine, which fits the idea of yearning fueled by intoxication and festivity.
Because there is no single canonical myth that tells Pothos’s story, his role is more symbolic than narrative. He does not have grand adventures or famous deeds; instead, he appears as a personified emotion that poets and artists used to explore the human experience of longing.
Pothos in Literature and Cult
Pothos appears in several ancient Greek literary works, often as a poetic device. Sappho, the archaic lyric poet, uses the word pothos in her fragments to describe the ache of love, and later Hellenistic poets like Theocritus and Apollonius of Rhodes incorporate it into their verses. In the Argonautica, Apollonius describes Medea’s feelings for Jason as a kind of pothos, highlighting the painful, consuming nature of her desire.
Pothos also had a place in religious practice. In Samothrace, he was worshipped alongside other Erotes in the mystery cult of the Great Gods, where initiates sought purification and protection. The cult’s focus on desire and longing may have been tied to ideas of spiritual yearning, as the mysteries often dealt with the soul’s journey and its longing for the divine.
Pothos vs. Eros vs. Himeros
To understand Pothos, it helps to compare him with his fellow Erotes:
- Eros – The primordial force of love and sexual desire, often depicted as a mischievous winged boy with a bow and arrow. He is the most famous of the Erotes and appears in Hesiod’s Theogony as one of the first beings born from Chaos.
- Himeros – The personification of uncontrolled, immediate desire or lust. He is often shown alongside Eros, and his name means “uncontrollable desire” or “lustful longing.”
- Pothos – The personification of longing for someone who is absent or unattainable. His name is derived from the Greek verb pothein, meaning “to long for” or “to yearn for.”
In art, the three are sometimes shown together, with Pothos distinguished by his more wistful pose. While Eros and Himeros are active and energetic, Pothos is often depicted leaning on a pillar or looking into the distance, as if lost in thought about the object of his desire.
Pothos in Roman and Later Art
The Romans adopted Pothos and identified him with their own concept of desiderium, which carried a similar sense of longing. Roman mosaics and frescoes sometimes show Pothos in the company of Venus (the Roman Aphrodite) and Cupid (Eros), reinforcing his role as a companion of love deities.
During the Renaissance and Baroque periods, artists revived interest in classical mythology, and Pothos appeared in paintings and sculptures as an allegory of desire. For example, the Italian sculptor Antonio Canova created a work titled Pothos in the early 19th century, showing the figure with a winged head and a melancholic expression, capturing the essence of longing. This piece is now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Modern Interpretations and Misconceptions
Today, Pothos is sometimes confused with the popular houseplant Epipremnum aureum, commonly called “pothos” or “devil’s ivy.” The plant’s name is actually derived from the Greek word pothos, because its trailing vines seem to “yearn” for something to climb, but it has no mythological connection. This is a common misconception among plant enthusiasts and mythology lovers alike.
Another misconception is that Pothos is the same as Eros. While both are Erotes and represent aspects of love, they are distinct figures with different roles. Eros is the god of love itself, while Pothos is specifically the feeling of longing for someone who is not present. In modern psychology, one might compare Pothos to the concept of “limerence” or the ache of unrequited love.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pothos a god or a daimon?
In Greek mythology, Pothos is often classified as a daimon, a minor deity or spirit that personifies a specific concept. Unlike the major Olympian gods, daimones like Pothos did not have elaborate myths or temples, but they were recognized as divine forces that influenced human emotions and behavior.
What is the difference between Pothos and Himeros?
Pothos is the longing for someone who is absent or unattainable, while Himeros is the immediate, overwhelming rush of desire. In ancient Greek, himeros was associated with the sudden onset of lust, whereas pothos was a more sustained, often painful yearning. They were often depicted together, but their emotional tones were distinct.
Did Pothos have any famous myths or stories?
No, Pothos does not have any major myths of his own. He appears as a supporting figure in the stories of others, such as in the Argonautica where Medea’s longing for Jason is described as pothos. He is more of a personified emotion than a character with adventures.
Why is the houseplant called “pothos”?
The houseplant Epipremnum aureum is commonly called “pothos” because its scientific name was once Pothos aureus, and the genus name Pothos is derived from the Greek word for longing. The plant’s vining habit may have reminded botanists of the concept of yearning or reaching out. The plant itself has no mythological significance.
Are there any temples or festivals dedicated to Pothos?
There are no known temples specifically dedicated to Pothos, but he was worshipped as part of the mystery cult on the island of Samothrace, where the Erotes were honored collectively. The Samothracian mysteries were secret rites that promised protection and purification, and Pothos was among the deities invoked.
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