Love is addictive and humans can’t get enough! The hormones your brain releases when you experience love lead to euphoria and other positive feelings, leaving you wanting more. A great way to experience these feelings of love is by receiving or gifting flowers. Show We tend to think love occurs solely between romantic partners, but this isn’t true. Humans can experience eight types of love in various relationships, such as with romantic partners, friends, family and even strangers on the street. Understand the type of love you feel (and the catalyst for it) with our descriptions below. What Is a Love Catalyst?A catalyst is “an agent that provokes or speeds significant change or action.” A love catalyst is the part of yourself that enhances your experience with a type of love. For example, self-love is catalyzed by the soul and affectionate love is catalyzed by the mind. Therefore, your catalyst is the agent that provokes the feeling of a certain type of love — we dive into this later. Meet the 8 Different Types of LoveSince all types of love are catalyzed differently, each love affects us uniquely. Just like a bouquet of flowers where each bloom holds a different representation, types of love can have a similar effect. We created eight love characters to represent the types of love found in every relationship. One thing we find amazing is that you can enhance all types of love with the gift of flowers. Ancient Greeks studied love and denoted each type, giving each one a Greek name. Now it’s time to meet each type of love! 1. Philia — Affectionate LovePhilia is love without romantic attraction and occurs between friends or family members. It occurs when both people share the same values and respect each other — it’s commonly referred to as “brotherly love.” Love Catalyst: The mind Your mind articulates which friends are on the same wavelength as you and who you can trust. How to Show Philia:
2. Pragma — Enduring LovePragma is a unique bonded love that matures over many years. It’s an everlasting love between a couple that chooses to put equal effort into their relationship. Commitment and dedication are required to reach “Pragma.” Instead of “falling in love,” you are “standing in love” with the partner you want by your side indefinitely. Love Catalyst: Etheric (Subconscious) The subconscious drives partners towards each other. This feeling comes unknowingly and feels purposeful. How to Show Pragma:
3. Storge — Familiar LoveStorge is a naturally occurring love rooted in parents and children, as well as best friends. It’s an infinite love built upon acceptance and deep emotional connection. This love comes easily and immediately in parent and child relationships. Love Catalyst: Causal (Memories) Your memories encourage long-lasting bonds with another individual. As you create more memories, the value of your relationship increases. How to Show Storge:
4. Eros — Romantic LoveEros is a primal love that comes as a natural instinct for most people. It’s a passionate love displayed through physical affection. These romantic behaviors include, but are not limited to, kissing, hugging and holding hands. This love is a desire for another person’s physical body. Love Catalyst: Physical body (Hormones) Your hormones awaken a fire in your body and must be satiated with romantic actions from an admired partner. How to Show Eros:
5. Ludus — Playful LoveLudus is a child-like and flirtatious love commonly found in the beginning stages of a relationship (a.k.a. the honeymoon stage). This type of love consists of teasing, playful motives and laughter between two people. Although common in young couples, older couples who strive for this love find a more rewarding relationship. Love Catalyst: Astral (Emotion) Your emotions allow you to feel giddy, excited, interested and involved with another person. How to Show Ludus:
6. Mania — Obsessive LoveMania is an obsessive love towards a partner. It leads to unwanted jealousy or possessiveness — known as codependency. Most cases of obsessive love are found in couples with an imbalance of love towards each other. An imbalance of Eros and Ludus is the main cause of Mania. With healthy levels of playful and romantic love, the harm of obsessive love can be avoided. Love Catalyst: Survival instinct Survival instinct drives a person to desperately need their partner in order to find a sense of self-value. How to Avoid Mania:
7. Philautia — Self LovePhilautia is a healthy form of love where you recognize your self-worth and don’t ignore your personal needs. Self-love begins with acknowledging your responsibility for your well-being. It’s challenging to exemplify the outbound types of love because you can’t offer what you don’t have. Love Catalyst: Soul Your soul allows you to reflect on your necessary needs and physical, emotional and mental health. How to Show Philautia:
8. Agape — Selfless LoveAgape is the highest level of love to offer. It’s given without any expectations of receiving anything in return. Offering Agape is a decision to spread love in any circumstances — including destructive situations. Agape is not a physical act, it’s a feeling, but acts of self-love can elicit Agape since self-monitoring leads to results. Love Catalyst: Spirit Your spirit creates purpose bigger than yourself. It motivates you to pass kindness on to others. How to Show Agape:
The Perfect Combo for YouLike a bouquet, utilizing a combination of different types of love can create something beautiful that leaves a lasting impression. Blossom your connections with the best combination of love. Though there isn’t a perfect equation for every relationship, these combinations can provide a perspective on how to work various types of love into your relationships. After all, a happy heart is a healthy heart. Take a look at our recommended combinations below. Be conscious of the different love catalysts to help you feel the different types of love. Love is in the air and now you know the perfect ways to express it. We hope that sharing affection brings you love in return! They say what comes around goes around, so why not gift some gorgeous flowers or a bouquet with your expression of love? Happy loving! |