The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

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Looking back on ancient Egypt, we may recognise many similarities with our ancestors, whether it’s as simple as sharing commonly used words, emotional bonds with cats, or even thoughts and beliefs of the afterlife. Indeed, we were left with concrete proof of their legendary legacy, but we can also sense how our inheritance extended beyond pyramids or temples.

Ancient Egyptians passed down many values and concepts about life that remained relative over time. Ancient Egyptians understood the fleeting nature of life, which made them live it more intentionally. They honoured the principles of peace and harmony and spread love all around. On Valentine’s Day of 2025, let’s explore how Ancient Egyptians depicted love in Ancient Egypt.

Symbols of Love in the Ancient Egyptian Culture

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In Ancient Egypt, love was symbolised and centralised in so many instances in culture, reflecting what the ancient Egyptians valued and considered to be of great importance. For example, one of ancient Egypt’s most popular and powerful gods was Hathor, the sky goddess. Hathor was the goddess of love, beauty, music, dancing, and all things lively. She was even celebrated in ancient Egypt by an annual festival where her statue would be carried on a boat to Edfu to be reunited with her husband, Horus.

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Another influential tale was the enduring love story of Isis and Osiris, where Isis’ unwavering love resurrected her slain husband, making their tale a symbol of eternal love. That story was a central theme in Egyptian religious beliefs and rituals, emphasising the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth.

Correlations between Past and Present Romantic Expressions

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Themes of love are found in every history and culture shared among humanity across centuries. Ancient Egyptians were one of the first civilisations to write love poetry with heartfelt verses inscribed on papyrus and temple walls. These poems often praised a lover’s beauty and compared their presence to the sweetness of honey or the radiance of the sun. Some of these poems resemble the lyrics of modern love songs, showing how people have undergone the same experiences of love or heartbreak over time. You can check out a collection of these ancient Egyptian poems through this link.

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In their daily life, romantic gestures extended to gifting symbolic items. The most common gifts were lotus flowers, which represented devotion and were gifted on special occasions like births and weddings. The other standard gift was the Ankh symbol, a gift of immortality. The concept of giving continues until today, adding more joy to celebrations and meaningful moments.

Love Before Valentine’s

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We may know it today as Valentine’s Day, but let’s remember that the ancient Egyptians had constantly celebrated love and life long before Valentine’s. Ancient Egyptians had a vivid life that was profoundly intellectual and emotional. This life was reflected in the artistic legacy they left behind and the values of platonic or romantic love that have been transmitted through time and still exist in Egyptian society from friends, family, or couples.