Nothing’s More Romantic Than Getting Kidnapped :D

A drawing of Persephone holding a pomegranate.

Ever been on a date? Perhaps on Valentine’s? A gentle kiss under a mistletoe? Did that cute/hot barista finally give you their number? As much as these are the most common kinds of romance, I can’t say the same for mythology. That’s not to say that myths have good romances. There’s Cupid and Psyche. Pyramus and Thisbe. Perseus and Andromeda.

But, one thing’s for sure, Hades didn’t marry Persephone simply by asking for her number.

The myth goes like this (though there could be other versions of the story).

Zeus thought that Demeter (Goddess of the Harvest) was hot, so he tried to get with her. Demeter’s job as a goddess was incredibly important. She made sure crops were plentiful in Greece all year. After a while, she conceived her first daughter, Persephone (or Proserpine), the Goddess of Spring.

After Persephone grew up, she went into a field of flowers one day. Hades, the God of the Underworld, noticed her, and he fell in love instantly. Before anyone could notice, Hades split the early and kidnapped Persephone into the Underworld on his chariot.

While she was trapped in the Underworld, Persephone refused to speak to Hades. She even refused to eat. According to legend, if one eats anything from the Underworld, they cannot leave. Almost a week went by, Persephone caved in—and ate six pomegranate seeds. It seems like she sealed her own fate. Will she be forced to stay in the Underworld for eternity?

Meanwhile, once she heard Persephone was kidnapped, Demeter began searching for her daughter. In her absence, crops in Greece began to die—scarce. As Zeus was worried about the state of Greece, he sent Hermes to create a compromise between Hades and Demeter.

It was said that Persephone’s kidnapping led to the change of the seasons. For six months out of the year, Persephone will stay with Hades. During this time, Demeter will disregard her duties: crops will die and become scarce during this time of the year. On the other half of the year, Persephone will return to Earth, where Demeter will bless her arrival with flourishing crops and flowers.

If you like someone, I don’t recommend kidnapping. Instead, try asking for their number! :D