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Love is whatyou feel for a person and what a person feels for you. I was in a relationship with a person who really liked me. You could call it love. We would still be together but I messed that up. If I had another chance, I would show my affections for that person instead of making him feel as though I felt nothing. Now, I want him back, but it might be too late, when we first started out, I thought it was fate. But now our relationship is over and the bond is gone. I wish we were still together, but I was wrong.
: ''For the 1960s band, see [[Love (band)|Love]]. The term is also used in [[Tennis#History|tennis]]. ''
[[Image:Love heart uidaodjsdsew.gif|thumb|right|The [[Heart (Symbolism and Metaphor)|heart]], a frequent modern symbol of love]]

'''Love''' has many meanings in [[English language|English]], from something that gives a little pleasure ("I loved that meal") to something one would die for ([[patriotism]], pairbonding). It can describe an intense feeling of [[affection]], an [[emotion]] or an emotional state. In ordinary use, it usually refers to interpersonal love. Probably due to its psychological relevance, love is one of the most common themes in art.


==Defining love==
{{emotion}}
Just as there are many types of lovers, there are many kinds of love. Love is inherent in all human cultures. It is precisely these cultural differences that make any universal definition of love difficult to establish. See the [[Sapir-Whorf hypothesis]].

Expressions of love may include the love for a "soul" or mind, the love of laws and organizations, love for a body, love for nature, love of food, love of money, love for learning, love of power, love of fame, love for the respect of others, et cetera. Different people place varying degrees of import on the kinds of love they receive. Love is essentially an abstract concept, easier to experience than to explain.

===Interpersonal love===
Interpersonal love refers to the love between human beings. It is a more potent sentiment than a simple ''liking'' for another. [[Unrequited love]] refers to those feelings of love which are not reciprocated. Interpersonal love is most closely associated with [[interpersonal relationships]]. Such love might exist between family members, friends, and couples. There are also a number of psychological disorders related to love, such as [[erotomania]].

Some elements that are often present in interpersonal love:
*[[Affection]]: appreciation of another
*[[Attachment]]: satisfying basic emotional needs
*[[Altruism]]: selfless or unselfish concern for another
*[[Reciprocation]]: if love is mutual
*[[Commitment]]: a desire to maintain love
*[[Emotional intimacy]]: sharing emotions and feelings
*[[Friendship]]: the spirit between friends
*[[Kinship]]: family bonds
*[[Passion (emotion)|Passion]]: sexual desire
*[[Physical intimacy]]: sharing of intimate personal space
*[[Self-interest]]: desiring rewards
*[[Service]]: desire to help

Sexual energy can be the most important element in determining the shape of a relationship. While sexual attraction often establishes a new bond, sexual intention is considered undesirable or inappropriate in certain love bonds. In many religions and systems of ethics it is considered wrong to act on sexual desire for immediate family, for children, or outside of a committed relationship. However, there are many ways to express passionate love without sex. Affection, emotional intimacy and shared interests are common in friendships and kinships of all human beings.

===Impersonal love===
A person can be said to love a country, principle, or goal if they value it greatly and are deeply committed to it. Similarly, compassionate outreach and volunteer workers 'love' of their cause may be borne not of [[interpersonal love]], but impersonal love coupled with [[altruism]] and strong political convictions. People can also 'love' material objects, animals, or activities if they invest themselves in bonding their identity with that item. In these cases, if sexual passion is actually felt, it is typically considered abnormal or unhealthy, and called [[paraphilia]].

===Religious love===
Whether religious love can be expressed in similar terms to [[interpersonal love]] is a matter for philosophical debate. Religious 'love' might be considered a euphemistic term, more closely describing feelings of [[deference]] or [[acquiescence]]. Most religions use the term love to express the [[devotion]] the follower has to their deity, who may be a living [[guru]] or religious teacher. This love can be expressed by [[prayer]], service, good deeds, and personal [[sacrifice]]. Reciprocally, the followers may believe that the deity loves the followers and all of creation. Some traditions encourage the development of passionate love in the believer for the deity. Refer to ''[[#Religious Views|Religious Views]]'' below.

== Scientific models ==
[[Image:SwansHeart.jpg|Thumb|300px|right]]Biological models of love tend to see it as a mammalian drive, just like [[hunger]] or [[thirst]]. Psychology sees love as more of a social and cultural phenomenon. There are probably elements of truth in both views — certainly love is influenced by [[hormone]]s (such as [[oxytocin]]) and [[pheromone]]s, and how people think and behave in love is influenced by their conceptions of love.

===Attraction and attachment===
The conventional view in [[biology]] is that there are two major drives in love — [[sexual attraction]] and [[attachment theory|attachment]]. Attachment between adults is presumed to work on the same principles that lead an infant to become attached to its mother.

=== Companionate vs. passionate ===
The traditional psychological view sees love as being a combination of [[companionate love]] and [[passionate love]]. [[Passionate love]] is intense longing, and is often accompanied by [[physiological arousal]] (shortness of breath, rapid heart rate). [[Companionate love]] is affection and a feeling of intimacy not accompanied by physiological arousal.

=== Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love ===
{{mergefrom|triangular theory of love}}

In the [[triangular theory of love]], love is characterized by three elements: [[intimacy]], [[passion (emotion)|passion]] and [[commitment]]. Each of these elements can be present in a relationship, producing the following combinations:
{| border=1 cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0
|+'''Combinations of intimacy, passion, and commitment'''
|-
|'''[[Like#As a verb|Liking]]''' or '''[[friendship]]'''
|intimacy
| 
| 
|-
|[[Limerence|'''Infatuation''' or '''limerence''']]
| 
|passion
| 
|-
|'''Empty love'''
| 
| 
|commitment
|-
|'''[[Romantic love]]'''
|intimacy
|passion
| 
|-
|'''Companionate love'''
|intimacy
| 
|commitment
|-
|'''Fatuous love'''
| 
|passion
|commitment
|-
|'''Consummate love'''
|intimacy
|passion
|commitment
|}

# ''Liking'' includes only one of the love components - intimacy. In this case, liking is not used in a trivial sense. Sternberg says that this intimate liking characterizes true friendships, in which a person feels a bondedness, a warmth, and a closeness with another but not intense passion or long-term commitment.
# ''Infatuated love'' consists solely of passion and is often what is felt as "love at first sight." But without the intimacy and the commitment components of love, infatuated love may disappear suddenly.
# ''Empty love'' consists of the commitment component without intimacy or passion. Sometimes, a stronger love deteriorates into empty love, in which the commitment remains, but the intimacy and passion have died. In cultures in which arranged marriages are common, relationships often begin as empty love.
# ''Romantic love'' is a combination of intimacy and passion. Romantic lovers are bonded emotionally (as in liking) and physically through passionate arousal.
# ''Companionate love'' consists of intimacy and commitment. This type of love is often found in marriages in which the passion has gone out of the relationship, but a deep affection and commitment remain.
# ''Fatuous love'' has the passion and the commitment components but not the intimacy component. This type of love can be exemplified by a whirlwind courtship and marriage in which a commitment is motivated largely by passion, without the stabilizing influence of intimacy.
# ''Consummate love'' is the only type of love that includes all three components--intimacy, passion and commitment. ''Consummate love'' is the most complete form of love, and it represents the ideal love relationship for which many people strive but which apparently few achieve. Sternberg cautions that maintaining a consummate love may be even harder than achieving it. He stresses the importance of translating the components of love into action. "Without expression," he warns, "even the greatest of loves can die" (1987, p.341).

===Love styles===
[[Susan Hendrick]] and Clyde Hendrick developed a Loves Attitude Scale based on John Alan Lee's theory called [[Love styles]]. Lee identified six basic theories that people use in their interpersonal relationships:
*[[Eros]] — a passionate physical love based on physical appearance
*[[Ludus]] — love is played as a game; love is playful
*[[Storge]] — an affectionate love that slowly develops, based on [[similarity (psychology)|similarity]]
*[[Pragma (love)|Pragma]] — pragmatic love
*[[Mania]] — highly emotional love; unstable; the stereotype of [[romantic love]]
*[[Agape]] — selfless altruistic love; spiritual

Hendrick and Hendrick found men tend to be more ludic and manic, whereas women tend to be storgic and pragmatic. Relationships based on similar love styles were found to last longer.

===Phases===
[[Helen Fisher]] suggests three main phases of love: [[lust]], [[attraction]], and attachment. Generally love will start off in the ''lust'' phase, strong in passion but weak in the other elements. The primary motivator at this stage is the basic sexual instinct. Appearance, smells, and other similar factors play a decisive role in screening potential mates. However, as time passes, the other elements may grow and passion may shrink — this depends upon the individual. So what starts as infatuation or empty love may well develop into one of the fuller types of love. At the ''attraction'' stage the person concentrates their affection on a single mate and fidelity becomes important.

Likewise, when a person has known a loved one for a long time, they develop a deeper attachment to their partner. According to current scientific understanding of love, this transition from the attraction to the ''attachment'' phase usually happens in about 30 months. After that time, the passion fades, changing love from consummate to companionate, or from romantic love to liking.

===Love vs. Insanity?===
Studies have shown that mental scans of those in love show a striking resemblance to those with a mental illness. Love creates activity in the same area of the brain that hunger, thirst, and drug cravings create activity in. New love, therefore, could possibly be more physical than emotional (though drawing a clear line between ''physical'' and ''emotional'' is difficult when discussing the brain).

Over time, this reaction to love mellows, & different areas of the brain are activated, primarily ones involving long-term commitments.

[[Andrew Newberg|Dr. Andrew Newberg]], a neuroscientist, suggests that this reaction to love is so similar to that of drugs because without love, humanity would die out.

[[Image:baglione.jpg|right|thumb|200px|'Sacred Love versus Profane Love' by Giovanni Baglione]]

==Cultural views==

===Chinese===
In contemporary {{ll|Chinese}} language and [[Chinese culture|culture]], several terms or root words are used for the concept of "love":

*''Ai'' (爱) is used as a verb (e.g. ''Wo ai ni'', "I love you") or as a noun, especially in ''aiqing'' (爱情), "love" or "romance." In [[mainland China]] since [[1949]], ''[[airen]]'' (爱人, originally "lover," or more literally, "love person") is the dominant word for "spouse" (with separate terms for "wife" and "husband" originally being de-emphasized); the word once had a negative connotation, which it retains among many on [[Taiwan]].

*''[[Lian]]'' (恋) is not generally used alone, but instead as part of such terms as "being in love" (谈恋爱, ''tan lian'ai''—also containing ''ai''), "lover" (恋人, ''lianren'') or "homosexuality" (同性恋, ''tongxinglian'').

*''Qing'' (情), commonly meaning "feeling" or "emotion," often indicates "love" in several terms. It is contained in the word ''aiqing'' (爱情); ''qingren'' (情人) is a term for "lover".

In [[Confucianism]], ''[[lian]]'' is a virtuous benevolent love. Lian should be pursued by all human beings, and reflects a moral life. The Chinese philosopher [[Mozi]] developed the concept of ''ai'' (爱) in reaction to Confucian ''[[lian]]''. ''Ai'', in [[Mohism]], is universal love towards all beings, not just towards friends or family, without regard to reciprocation. Extravagance and offensive war are inimical to ''ai''. Although Mozi's thought was influential, the Confucian ''lian'' is how most Chinese conceive of love.

''Gănqíng'' (感情), the feeling of a relationship. A person will express love by building good gănqíng, accomplished through helping or working for another. Emotional attachment toward another person or anything.

''[[Yuanfen]]'' (缘份) is a connection of bound destinies. A meaningful relationship is often conceived of as dependent strong yuanfen. It is very similar to serendipity. A similar conceptualization in English is, "They were made for each other," though not as strong as the Chinese concept.

''Zaolian'' ([[Simplified Chinese|Simplified]]: 早恋, [[Traditional Chinese|Traditional]]: 早戀, [[pinyin]]: ''zǎoliàn''), literally, "early love," is a contemporary term in frequent use for romantic feelings or attachments among children or adolescents. ''Zaolian'' describes both relationships among a teenaged boyfriend and girlfriend, as well as the "[[crush]]es" of early adolescence or childhood. The concept essentially indicates a prevalent belief in contemporary Chinese culture that due to the demands of their studies (especially true in the highly competitive educational system of China), youth should not form romantic attachments lest their jeopardize their chances for success in the future. Reports have appeared in Chinese newspapers and other media detailing the prevalence of the phenomenon and its perceived dangers to students and the fears of parents.

===Japanese===
In [[Japanese Buddhism]], ''[[ai]]'' (愛) is passionate caring love, and a fundamental desire. It can develop towards either selfishness or selflessness and enlightenment.

''[[Amae]]'' (甘え), a Japanese word meaning "indulgent dependence", is part of the child-rearing culture of Japan. Japanese mothers are expected to hug and indulge their children, and children are expected to reward their mothers by clinging and serving. Some [[sociologist]]s have suggested that Japanese social interactions in later life are modelled on the mother-child amae.

===Ancient Greek===
[[Greek language|Greek]] distinguishes several different senses in which the word ''love'' is used. For example, ancient Greek has the words ''philia'', ''eros'', ''agape'', ''storge'' and ''xenia''. However, with Greek as with many other languages, it has been historically difficult to separate the meanings of these words totally. At the same time the ancient Greek text of the [[Bible]] has examples of the [[verb]] ''agapo'' being used with the same meaning as ''phileo''.

''[[Agapē|Agape]]'' ({{polytonic|ἀγάπη}} ''agápē'') means ''love'' in modern day Greek. The term ''s'agapo'' means ''I love you'' in Greek. The word ''agapo'' is the verb ''I love''. It generally refers to a "pure", ideal type of love rather than the physical attraction suggested by ''eros''. However, there are some examples of ''agape'' used to mean the same as ''eros''. It has also been translated as "love of the soul".

''[[Eros (love)|Eros]]'' ({{polytonic|ἔρως}} ''érōs'') is passionate love, with sensual desire and longing. The Greek word ''erota'' means ''in love''. [[Plato]] refined his own definition. Although eros is initially felt for a person, with contemplation it becomes an appreciation of the beauty within that person, or even becomes appreciation of beauty itself. Eros helps the soul recall knowledge of beauty, and contributes to an understanding of spiritual truth. Lovers and philosophers are all inspired to seek truth by eros. Some translations list it as "love of the body".

''[[Philia]]'' ({{polytonic|φιλία}} ''philía''), a dispassionate virtuous love, was a concept developed by [[Aristotle]]. It includes loyalty to friends, family, and community, and requires virtue, equality and familiarity. Philia is motivated by practical reasons; one or both of the parties benefit from the relationship. Can also mean "love of the mind".

''[[Storge]]'' ({{polytonic|στοργή}} ''storgē'') is natural affection, like that felt by parents for offspring.

''[[Xenia (Greek)|Xenia]]'' (ξενία ''xenía''), hospitality, was an extremely important practice in ancient Greece. It was an almost ritualized friendship formed between a host and their guest, who could previously be strangers. The host fed and provided quarters for the guest, who was only expected to repay with gratitude. The importance of this can be seen throughout Greek mythology, in particular Homer's ''[[Iliad]]'' and ''[[Odyssey]]''.

===Ancient Roman (Latin)===

The Latin language has several different verbs corresponding to the English word 'love'.

''[[Amare]]'' is the basic word for ''to love'', as it still is in Italian today. The Romans used it both in an affectionate sense, as well as in a Romantic or sexual sense. From this verb come ''amans'', a lover, amator, 'professional lover', often with the accessory notion of lechery, and ''amica'', 'girlfriend' in the English sense, often as well being applied euphemistically to a prostitute. The corresponding noun is ''amor'', which is also used in the plural form to indicate 'love affairs' or 'sexual adventures'. This same root also produces ''amicus'', 'friend', and ''amicitia'', 'friendship' (often based on mutual advantage, and corresponding sometimes more closely to 'indebtedness' or 'influence'). Cicero wrote a treatise called ''On Friendship'' (''de Amicitia'') which discusses the notion at some length. Ovid wrote a guide to dating called ''Ars Amatoria'' (''The Art of Lovers''), which addresses in depth everything from extramarital affairs to overprotective parents.

Complicating the picture somewhat, Latin sometimes uses ''amare'' where English would simply say ''to like''; this notion, however, is much more generally expressed in Latin by ''placere'' or ''delectare'', which are used more colloquially, and the latter of which is used frequently in the love poetry of Catullus.

''[[Diligere]]'' often has the notion 'to be affectionate for', 'to esteem', and rarely if ever is used of romantic love. This word would be appropriate to describe the friendship of two men. The corresponding noun ''diligentia'', however, has the meaning 'diligence' 'carefulness' and has little semantic overlap with the verb.

''[[Observare]]'' is a synonym for 'diligere'; despite the cognate with English, this verb and its corresponding noun 'observantia' often denote 'esteem' or 'affection'.

''[[Caritas]]'' is used in Latin translations of the Christian Bible to mean 'charitable love'. This meaning, however, is not found in Classical pagan Roman literature. As it arises from a conflation with a Greek word, there is no corresponding verb.



==Religious views==
===Christian===
[[Christianity|Christians]] believe that love to God and to other people (God's creation, as they see it) are the two most important things in life (the greatest commandment of God, according to [[Jesus]]. See The [[Gospel of Mark]] chapter 12, verses 28-34). [[Augustine of Hippo|Saint Augustine]] summarised this when he wrote "Love God, and do as thou wilt". [[Paul of Tarsus|Saint Paul]] glorified love as the most important virtue of all in [[1 Corinthians]], chapter 13. Attempting to define it he wrote, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres." ([[NIV]] 13:4-7)


Christians also believe that [[God]] felt so much love for man that he sacrificed his son for them. John the Apostle wrote, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but the save the world through him." ([[NIV]] John 3:16-18)

Many Christians [[Theology|theologians]] see God as the source of love, which is mirrored in humans and their relationships.

In the [[New Testament]], ''[[Agape|agapē]]'' is charitable, selfless, altruistic, and unconditional. It is parental love seen as creating goodness in the world, and is reciprocal between believers and God.

Also used in the [[New Testament]], ''[[Phileo]]'' is a human response to something that is found to be delightful. Also known as "brotherly love".

''[[Nomos]]'' is devotion to God, and the subjugation of the will before Him and His divine law.

===Buddhist===
In [[Buddhism]], ''[[Kāma]]'' is sensuous, sexual love. It is an obstacle on the path to [[enlightenment (Buddhism)|enlightenment]], since it is selfish.

''[[Karuṇā]]'' is compassion and mercy, which reduces the suffering of others. It is complementary to wisdom, and is necessary for enlightenment.

''[[Adveṣa]]'' and ''[[metta|maitrī]]'' are benevolent love. This love is unconditional and requires considerable self-acceptance. This is quite different from the ordinary love, which is usually about attachment and sex, which rarely occur without self-interest. Instead, in Buddhism it refers to detachment and unselfish interest in others' welfare.

The Bodhisattva ideal in Tibetan Buddhism involves the complete renunciation of oneself in order to take on the burden of a suffering world. The strongest motivation one has in order to take the path of the Bodhisattva is the idea of salvation within unselfish love for others.

===Hindu===
In Hinduism ''[[kāma]]'' is pleasurable, sexual love, personified by the god [[Kama (Hinduism)|Kama]]. For many Hindu schools it is the third end in life (''[[artha]]'').

In contrast to ''kāma'', ''[[prema]]'' or ''prem'' refers to elevated love.

''[[Karuna]]'' is compassion and mercy, which reduces the suffering of others.

''Bhakti'' is a Sanskrit term from Hinduism meaning 'loving devotion to the supreme God'. A person who practices bhakti is called ''bhakta''. [[Hindu]] writers, theologians, and philosophers have distinguished nine forms of devotion that they call [[bhakti]], for example in the [[Bhagavatha-Purana]] and according to [[Tulsidas]]. The booklet ''Narada bhakti sutra'' written by an unknown author distinguishes eleven forms of love.

===Islamic===
In a sense, love does encompass the Islamic view of life as universal brotherhood which applies to all who hold the faith. There are no direct references stating that God is love, but amongst the 99 names of God ([[Allah]]), there is the name ''Al-Wadud'' or 'the Loving One', which is found in Surah 11:90 as well as Surah 85:14. It refers to God as being "full of loving kindness". In Islam, love is more often than not used as an incentive for sinners to aspire to be as worthy of God's love as they may. One still has God's love, but how the person evaluates his own worth is to his own and God's own counsel. All who hold the faith have God's love, but to what degree or effort he has pleased God depends on the individual itself. <!--rechecking recommended for further accuracy-->

''[[Ishq]]'', or divine love, is the emphasis of [[Sufism]]. Sufis believe that love is a projection of the essence of God to the universe. God desires to recognize beauty, and as if one looks at a mirror to see oneself, God "looks" at itself within the dynamics of nature. Since everything is a reflection of God, the school of Sufism practices to see the beauty inside the apparently ugly. Sufism is oftentimes referred to as the religion of Love. God in Sufism is referred to in three main terms which are the Lover, Loved, and Beloved with the last of these terms being often seen in Sufi poetry. A common viewpoint of Sufism is that through Love humankind can get back to its inherent purity and grace. The saints of Sufism are infamous for being "drunk" due to their Love of God hence the constant reference to wine in Sufi poetry and music.

===Jewish===
In [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] ''[[Ahava]]'' is the most commonly-used term for both interpersonal love and love of God. Other related but dissimilar terms are ''[[Chen]]'' (grace) and ''[[Hesed]]'', which basically combines the meaning of "affection" and "compassion" and is sometimes rendered in English as "loving-kindness".

[[Judaism]] employs a wide definition of love, both between people and between man and the Deity. As for the former, the [[Torah]] states: "Love your neighbor like yourself" ([[Leviticus]] 19:18). As for the latter, one is commanded to love God "with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your might" ([[Deuteronomy]] 6:5), taken by the [[Mishnah]] (a central text of the Jewish [[oral law]]) to refer to good deeds, willingness to sacrifice one's life rather than commit certain serious transgressions, willingness to sacrifice all one's possessions and being grateful to the Lord despite adversity (tractate Berachoth 9:5). [[Rabbinic literature]] differs how this love can be developed, e.g. by contemplating Divine deeds or witnessing the marvels of nature.

As for love between marital partners, this is deemed an essential ingredient to life: "See life with the wife you love" ([[Ecclesiastes]] 9:9). The Biblical book [[Song of Solomon|Song of Songs]] is a considered a romantically-phrased metaphor of love between God and his people, but in its plain reading reads like a love song.

The 20th century Rabbi [[Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler]] is frequently quoted as defining love from the Jewish point-of-view as "giving without expecting to take" (from his ''Michtav me-Eliyahu'', vol. 1). Romantic love ''per se'' has few echoes in Jewish literature, although the Medieval Rabbi [[Judah Halevi]] wrote romantic poetry in Arabic in his younger years (he appears to have regretted this later).

===Mythological===
Different cultures have deified love, typically in both male and female form. Here is a list of the gods and goddesses of love in different mythologies.
* [[Áine]]; goddess of fertility and passionate love in [[Irish mythology]]
* [[Amor]] or [[Cupid]] &mdash; god of passionate love in [[Roman mythology]]
* [[Aonghus]] or ''Aengus''; god of beauty, youth, and sensual love in [[Irish mythology]]
* [[Aphrodite]] &mdash; goddess of beauty and passionate love in [[Greek mythology]]
* [[Eros (god)|Eros]] &mdash; god of passionate love in [[Greek mythology]]
* [[Freya]] &mdash; goddess in [[Norse mythology]]
* [[Kama_%28Hinduism%29|Kama]] &mdash; god of sensual love in [[Hindu mythology]]
* [[Rati]] &mdash; goddess of passionate love in [[Hindu mythology]]
* [[Venus (mythology)|Venus]] &mdash; goddess of beauty and passionate love in [[Roman mythology]]
* [[Xochipilli]] &mdash; god in [[Aztec mythology]]



==See also==
===Human love===
* [[Affectional orientation]]
* [[Emotion]]
* [[Greek words for love]]
* [[Historical pederastic couples]]
* [[Limerence]] &mdash; the "in love" state
* [[Crush]]
* [[Puppy love]]
* [[Love-Hate relationship]]s
* [[Love-shyness]]
* [[Personal relationship]]
* [[Erich Fromm]]'s view of human love
* [[Love letter]]
* [[Love sickness]]
* [[Platonic love]]

===Other types of love (philias)===
* [[Bibliophilia]] &mdash; the love of books
* [[biophilia|Biophilia]] &mdash; the love of nature
* [[List of philias]] &mdash; list of words with ''philia'' or ''phile'' suffix

===Wiktionary===
* [[Wiktionary:Love|Love]]
* [[Wiktionary:I love you|"I love you" in various languages]]

==References==
* R. J. Sternberg. ''A triangular theory of love''. 1986. Psychological Review, 93, 119&ndash;135
* R. J. Sternberg. ''Liking versus loving: A comparative evaluation of theories''. 1987. Psychological Bulletin, 102, 331&ndash;345
* Dorothy Tennov. ''Love and Limerence: the Experience of Being in Love''. New York: Stein and Day, 1979. ISBN 0812861345
* Helen Fisher. ''Why We Love: the Nature and Chemistry of Romantic Love''
* Wood, Wood and Boyd. ''The World of Psychology''. 5th edition. 2005. Pearson Education, 402&ndash;403

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
{{wiktionarypar|love}}
*[http://iserver.saddleback.cc.ca.us/faculty/jfritsen/articles.html The Science of Love]
*[[:zh:早恋|''Zaolian'' (早恋) on Chinese Wikipedia]]

[[Category:Love]]
[[Category:Emotion]]
[[Category:Personal life]]

[[ca:Amor]]
[[cs:Láska]]
[[da:Kærlighed]]
[[de:Liebe]]
[[et:Armastus]]
[[es:Amor]]
[[eo:Amo]]
[[fr:Amour]]
[[gd:Gràdh]]
[[gl:Amor]]
[[id:Cinta]]
[[ia:Amor]]
[[it:Amore]]
[[he:אהבה]]
[[la:Amor]]
[[li:Leefde]]
[[nl:Liefde]]
[[ja:愛]]
[[pl:Miłość]]
[[pt:Amor (sentimento)]]
[[ru:Любовь]]
[[sr:Љубав]]
[[fi:Rakkaus]]
[[sv:Kärlek]]

Revision as of 19:13, 20 October 2005

Love is whatyou feel for a person and what a person feels for you. I was in a relationship with a person who really liked me. You could call it love. We would still be together but I messed that up. If I had another chance, I would show my affections for that person instead of making him feel as though I felt nothing. Now, I want him back, but it might be too late, when we first started out, I thought it was fate. But now our relationship is over and the bond is gone. I wish we were still together, but I was wrong.

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