The Story of Pygmalion and Galatea :: Cyprus Mythology

The Story of Pygmalion and GalateaIf you gods can give all things, may I have as my wife, I pray one want the ivory maiden. PygmalionPygmalion, the mythical king of Cyprus, had many problems when dating women. He always seemed to accept dates from the violate women. Some were rude, others were selfish he was revolted by the faults nature had placed in these women. It left him feeling very depressed. He eventually came to despise the female sexual urge so much that he decided he would never marry any maiden. For comfort and solace, he turned to the arts, finding his talent in sculpture. exploitation exquisite skills, he carved a statute out of ivory that was so resplendent and delicate no maiden could compare with its beauty. This statute was the arrant(a) resemblance of a living maiden. Pygmalion fell in love with his creation and often laid his had upon the ivory statute as if to reassure himself it was not living. He named the ivory maiden Galatea and adorned her lovely figure with womens robes and placed rings on her fingers and jewels about her neck.At the festival of Aphrodite, which was celebrated with great slap throughout all of Cyprus, lonely Pygmalion lamented his situation. When the time came for him to play his part in the processional, Pygmalion stood by the altar and humbly prayed If you gods can give all things, may I have as my wife, I pray he did not dare say the ivory maiden but instead said one like the ivory maiden. Aphrodite, who also attended the festival, heard his plea and she also knew of the thought he had wanted to utter. Showing her favor, she caused the altars flame to flare up three times, shooting a long flame of fire into the still air.After the days festivities, Pygmalion returned home and kissed Galatea as was his custom. At the warmth of her kiss, he started as if stung by a hornet. The arms thatwere ivory now felt soft to his touch and when he softly pressed her neck the veins throbbed with life.