The Story of Pygmalion and Galatea :: Cyprus Mythology

The Story of Pygmalion and GalateaIf you gods can give all things, whitethorn I have as my wife, I pray one uniform the tusk maiden. PygmalionPygmalion, the mythical king of Cyprus, had many problems when dating women. He continuously seemed to accept dates from the wrong women. Some were rude, others were selfish he was revolted by the faults temperament had placed in these women. It left him feeling very depressed. He at big last came to despise the female gender so much that he headstrong he would never marry any maiden. For comfort and solace, he move to the arts, finding his talent in sculpture. Using exquisite skills, he carved a statute out of ivory that was so resplendent and indulgent no maiden could compare with its beauty. This statute was the perfect resemblance of a living maiden. Pygmalion fell in love with his creation and often position 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 ring on her fingers and jewels about her neck.At the festival of Aphrodite, which was celebrated with great savour 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 give tongue to one like the ivory maiden. Aphrodite, who also attended the festival, heard his supplication 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 kinsfolk 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 wraith and when he softly pressed her neck the vei ns throbbed with life.