Childhood sweetheart
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| - | '''Platonic love''' in its modern popular sense is a [[non-sexual]] [[affection]]ate relationship, especially in cases where one might easily assume otherwise. A simple example of platonic relationships is a deep, non-sexual (i.e. overtly [[romantic]]) friendship, not subject to gender pairings and not excluding close relatives. | + | '''Childhood sweetheart''' is a reciprocating phrase for a relationship (but not a [[domestic partnership|partnership]]) |
| + | between young persons. This may come about by an extension of [[friendship]], [[physical attraction]] or develop from natural affinity. | ||
| - | At the same time, this interpretation is a misunderstanding of the nature of the [[Platonic idealism|Platonic ideal]] of [[love]], which from its origin was that of a [[chaste]] but passionate love, based not on lack of interest but on spiritual transmutation of the sex force, opening up vast expanses of subtler enjoyments than sex. In its original Platonic form, this love was meant to bring the lovers closer to wisdom and the Platonic [[Form]] of Beauty. It is described in depth in Plato's [[Phaedrus (Plato)|''Phaedrus'']] and ''[[Symposium (Plato)|Symposium]]''. In the ''Phaedrus'', it is said to be a form of [[divine madness]] that is a gift from the gods, and that its proper expression is rewarded by the gods in the afterlife; in the ''Symposium'', the method by which love takes one to the form of beauty and wisdom is detailed. | + | The relationship is usually [[Platonic love|platonic]] and lasts a short |
| + | to medium period of time. This experience forms the basis of subsequent future relationships later in [[childhood]] and/or [[adulthood]]. | ||
| + | Usually, an individual will have up to only one childhood sweetheart as this term is indicative of a milestone in | ||
| + | the growth, development and maturity of a young person. In ideal circumstances, the term applies mutually | ||
| + | to both parties and corresponds both ways, hence the plural being childhood sweethearts. | ||
| - | ==Amor Platonicus== | + | The relationship may involve [[romantic love]] or may be an extension of a |
| - | The term '''''amor platonicus''''' was coined as early as the [[15th century]] by the [[Florence|Florentine]] scholar [[Marsilio Ficino]]. Platonic love in this original sense of the term is examined in Plato's dialogue the ''[[Symposium (Plato)|Symposium]]'', which has as its topic the subject of love or [[Eros (love)|Eros]] generally. Of particular importance there are the ideas attributed to the prophetess [[Diotima of Mantinea|Diotima]], which present love as a means of ascent to contemplation of the Divine. For Diotima, and for Plato generally, the most correct use of love of other human beings is to direct one's mind to love of Divinity. In short, with genuine Platonic love, the beautiful or lovely other person inspires the mind and the soul and directs one's attention to spiritual things. One proceeds from recognition of another's beauty to appreciation of Beauty as it exists apart from any individual, to consideration of Divinity, the source of Beauty, to love of Divinity. The spiritual ideas of Platonic love – as well as the fundamental spiritual emphasis of all of Plato's writings – have been de-emphasized over the last two centuries. | + | close [[friendship]]. Often, [[physical intimacy|intimacy]] by way of [[kiss]]ing will occur in order to |
| + | show affection. This is in addition to hugging / [[cuddling]], [[holding hands]], etc. The term first love may also apply | ||
| + | in certain situations. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Occasionally in later years, these friendships are 'rekindled' following | ||
| + | separations or passing of their adult partners which lead to a later life [[marriage]], | ||
| + | union etc. These instances are notable as they are made popular by media coverage. | ||
| - | The English term dates back as far as Sir [[William Davenant]]'s ''Platonic Lovers'' ([[1636]]). It is derived from the concept in Plato's ''[[Symposium (Plato)|Symposium]]'' of the love of the idea of good which lies at the root of all virtue and truth. For a brief period, Platonic love was a fashionable subject at the English royal court, especially in the circle around Queen [[Henrietta Maria of France|Henrietta Maria]], the wife of King [[Charles I of England|Charles I]]. Platonic love was the theme of some of the courtly [[masque]]s performed in the [[Caroline era]]—though the fashion soon waned under pressures of social and political change. | ||
| == See also == | == See also == | ||
| - | *[[Greek love]] | + | *[[Courtship]] |
| - | *[[Puppy love]] | + | *[[Dating (activity)]] |
| - | *[[Childhood sweetheart]] | + | *[[Romantic friendship]] |
| *[[Infatuation]] | *[[Infatuation]] | ||
| + | *[[Puppy love]] | ||
| + | *[[Limerence]] | ||
| + | *[[Childhood friend]] | ||
| + | *[[Attraction (emotion)|Attraction]] | ||
| + | *[[Young Lovers|Young lovers]] | ||
| {{GFDL}} | {{GFDL}} | ||
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Childhood sweetheart is a reciprocating phrase for a relationship (but not a partnership) between young persons. This may come about by an extension of friendship, physical attraction or develop from natural affinity.
The relationship is usually platonic and lasts a short to medium period of time. This experience forms the basis of subsequent future relationships later in childhood and/or adulthood. Usually, an individual will have up to only one childhood sweetheart as this term is indicative of a milestone in the growth, development and maturity of a young person. In ideal circumstances, the term applies mutually to both parties and corresponds both ways, hence the plural being childhood sweethearts.
The relationship may involve romantic love or may be an extension of a close friendship. Often, intimacy by way of kissing will occur in order to show affection. This is in addition to hugging / cuddling, holding hands, etc. The term first love may also apply in certain situations.
Occasionally in later years, these friendships are 'rekindled' following separations or passing of their adult partners which lead to a later life marriage, union etc. These instances are notable as they are made popular by media coverage.
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See also
- Courtship
- Dating (activity)
- Romantic friendship
- Infatuation
- Puppy love
- Limerence
- Childhood friend
- Attraction
- Young lovers
Unless indicated otherwise, the text in this article is either based on Wikipedia article "Childhood sweetheart" or another language Wikipedia page thereof used under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License; or on research by Jahsonic and friends. See Art and Popular Culture's copyright notice.
