The Myth of Pygmalion and Galatea | Ancient Greek Mythological Stories

In ancient Greece, on the island of Cyprus, there lived a handsome and talented sculptor named Pygmalion. He loved his work and would spend hours carving beautiful ivory statues. He was always at his happiest when immersed in his art. Pygmalion had many problems when dating women. He always seemed to date the wrong women. Some were rude, others were selfish. He was revolted by the faults in these women. It left him feeling very depressed. Pygmalion saw women as flawed creatures and vowed never to waste any moment of his life with them. He dedicated himself to his work and soon created Galatea, a beautiful statue of a woman out of ivory. Pygmalion worked so long and with such inspiration on the statue of Galatea that it became more beautiful than any woman that had ever lived or been carved. When his chisel finally stopped ringing, there stood before him a woman of such perfection that Pygmalion, who had professed his disdain of all females, fell deeply in love, treating Galatea as if she were his girlfriend. He brought his ivory statue shells and pebbles, little birds, and flowers of all colors, anything that he thought would please his love. He was obsessed. The festival of Aphrodite was at hand, a festival celebrated with great pomp at Cyprus. Sacrifices were offered, the altar smoked, and the odor of incense filled the air. When Pygmalion performed his part in the prayers, he silently prayed for a wife like his ivory statue. He stood before the altar of Aphrodite and whispered, You gods, you can do all things. Give me, I pray you, for my wife. Goddess Aphrodite understood what the poor man was trying to say. She was curious. How can a man love a lifeless thing so much? Was it so beautiful that Pygmalion fell in love with his own creation? So she visited the studio of the sculptor while he was away. What she saw greatly amazed her. She couldn't help but think that the statue looked much like herself. It was so perfect. Indeed, Pygmalion had fashioned his ivory lover after the most beautiful woman alive, Aphrodite. Goddess Aphrodite was charmed by Pygmalion's creation. She brought the statue to life. Pygmalion returned home after some time, and as usual, he kissed Galatea. It was then he felt a sudden warmth in the statue's lips. He looked at her in confusion, and it seemed Galatea was looking at him too. Pygmalion thought he was imagining things. He rubbed his eyes and looked again, and there was no mistake this time, Galatea was indeed smiling at him. His joy knew no bounds as he showered her with kisses. The ivory statue was slowly turning into flesh. Galatea had by now turned completely into a human being. She smiled at her creator and said that it was his deep love that had convinced Aphrodite to bring her to life. Soon thereafter, the two got married and invited Aphrodite as their guest of honor at the wedding. Aphrodite blessed the couple. Pygmalion never forgot to thank Aphrodite for the gift she had given him. He and Galatea brought gifts to her temple throughout their life. Aphrodite blessed the couple, and soon they had a son named Paphos, for whom the city of Paphos in Cyprus received its name.