The Strange Sculptor
Pygmalion, a legendary figure from Cyprus, was both a king and a sculptor. Disappointed with the moral values of local women, he lost all interest in them 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. Ironically, the greatest achievement of his life was this statue of a woman. Perhaps he sought to correct in marble the flaws he saw in real women.
Falling in Love with His Own Creation
Whatever the case, Pygmalion worked so long, and with such inspiration, on the statue of Galatea that it became more beautiful to him than any woman that had ever lived or been carved in stone.
As he finished the statue’s features, they became incredibly beautiful, and he found himself applying the strokes of hammer and chisel with increasing affection. When his chisel finally stopped tapping, there stood before him a woman of such perfection that Pygmalion, who had expressed his dislike of all females, fell deeply in love.
Pygmalion became obsessed with his creation, dressing her in the finest clothes as well as adorning her with shiny decorations. He decorated her hair with the prettiest of flowers and gave her the choicest of gifts, kissing her as a sign of deep affection. Having fallen madly in love with his creation, he spent countless days and nights staring at it. However, how ironic that he, who had scorned women, should fall in love with a woman who could never love him in return!
The Realization of His Dream
Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, was a guardian goddess in Cyprus, and her festival was approaching. On the day of the festival, while making offerings to the goddess Aphrodite, Pygmalion prayed with all his heart and soul for the goddess to turn his ivory statue into a real woman. Aphrodite heard Pygmalion’s enthusiastic request and was moved, so she went to his studio to see this famous statue herself. When she looked upon the statue of Galatea, she was amazed by its beauty and energy. Looking closer at it, Aphrodite found that Galatea was similar to her in beauty and perfection, so, satisfied, she granted Pygmalion his wish.
Upon returning home, the master-sculptor noticed a flush on the cheeks of the ivory statue. It slowly dawned on him that Aphrodite had heard his prayers. Unable to restrain himself, he took Galatea in his arms and held her strongly. What had once been cold ivory turned soft and warm, and Pygmalion stood back in amazement as the statue transformed into a living being, smiling at him and speaking words of admiration for her creator.
Their love blossomed over the days, and soon succeeded in leading them to wedding vows, with Aphrodite blessing their union with happiness and prosperity. The happy couple had a son, Paphos, as well as a daughter, Metharme. Paphos later founded the city of Paphos in Cyprus. The bottom line is that the couple lived happily ever after.
Even to this day, countless people and young lovers cannot help but be fascinated by the exceptional love that is said to have existed between two people at a time when civilization was in its infancy.