The Story Of The Symbol Of Psychology (Ψ)

The story of the symbol of psychology involves some mythologies and the strange development of the term “psi” (Ψ). It is the twenty-third letter of the Greek alphabet and at some point the Romans transliterated it to form the word psyche . It meant butterfly in Latin, but it began to mean things like airflow, breathing, energy, and finally the soul .

Anyone who has studied psychology will remember how this strange symbol appeared in school almost everywhere. In books, teachers ’rooms, important notes… Anyone interested in this discipline will also recognize it because it has become part of a culture of symbols that is common in many fields such as philosophy and the letter“ fii ”(Φ).

However, there are still times when we consider these symbols to be face value and don’t think about them much. It is also true that many of us believe in urban legends that distort some of our roots. It is therefore common to hear people say that the symbol (Ψ) of psychology is atrain. More specifically, damn atrain.

This false theory dates back to a time when people experienced mental disorders as being under demonic power. Mental disorders had supernatural sources, such as magic and witchcraft, things beyond human control. It meant that everything was in the hands of the church, and of course the rovion. But the truth could not have been sought any further. Let us therefore examine the true origin of this symbol of psychology.

The story of the symbol of psychology (Ψ), the realm of the soul

In ancient Greece, the word psyche (as we mentioned earlier) meant a butterfly. This insect was also a symbol of the breath of life, the flow of air, the wind that brings life… Little by little, thanks to the Roman Empire, the word ended up symbolizing the human soul. They saw it as a life force, also known as “ka” in Egyptian culture.

The Greeks and Romans had a very special perspective on the human soul. One of their beliefs was that when someone died, the “ka” spoken by the Egyptians would leave their bodies in the shape of a breath. That breath would take the form of a butterfly. In their minds, there wasn’t even anything scary about it. For them, the butterfly signified light, change, and hope.

The symbol of psychology was based on the term psyche. It was later joined by the word “logia” (ψυχή and λογία). Over time, its etymological meaning thus changed from the “realm of the soul” to the “realm of the mind”. Of course, the Ψ symbol was used as the main symbol, such as an abbreviation.

Myth of Eros (Cupid) and the Psyche

In Greek mythology, the word “psyche” means more than just a butterfly, a soul, and a mind. The psyche was also a goddess, a beautiful creature with butterfly wings. His love story is one of the most beautiful love stories ever and was immortalized in his Apuleius Metamorphosis .

According to the story, one of the three daughters of the king of Anatolia was truly special. She was so sensitive, charming, and full of joy that Aphrodite herself became jealous of it and experienced this young woman as her rival. He was so desperately jealous that he immediately sent his son Eros (Cupid) to shoot him with his arrows. He wanted the young Psyche to fall in love with the scariest, ugliest, and most heartless man in all of Anatolia.

But nothing went according to plan. Instead, his son Eros fell in love with the Psyche. The young god could not stop himself, but decided to go to his room every night to win him over and make him his own. And so it happened. The psyche fell completely in love with that stranger who visited him every night in the dark. He couldn’t even see his face. That stranger was a god who wanted to keep his identity a secret.

But things changed. When Psyche told his sister about this, Sister told Psyche that she should not continue the relationship if she did not see the face of her mysterious lover. So he did so. While Eros was sleeping in his bed, he brought a lamp near Eros’ face. It was at that moment that Aphrodite’s son awoke and rushed out in rage at the bravery of the Psyche.

The trials of the psyche

The inconsolable, sad, and repentant daughter of the king of Anatolia went to Aphrodite to ask for help. Eros’ mother saw it as an opportunity to defeat him. He saw it as an opportunity to get rid of this woman who competed against the goddess of beauty herself.

He gave the Psyche four trials, four tasks to perform if he wanted to receive the love and forgiveness of Eros. But the trials included going to the underworld, meeting Kerberos, traveling with Kharon, and later also with Hades, so that he could get to Persephone and ask him for a little of her beauty, which she kept in a small box.

Contrary to all expectations, the wordy Psyche, however, showed that she was not just beautiful. He was also wise, courageous, and full of determination. But just as he had passed all the challenges and reached Persephone’s box, he experienced a momentary sense of vanity and curiosity. She decided to open the box to see what was inside it and take some of the beauty for herself. Then he became a victim of a trap.

Fortunately, however, a familiar hand pulled the cursed box out of front of his eyes. The familiar skin of the hand comforted him and the hopeful face of its owner immediately brought his joy back. It was Eros who had now forgiven him and come to save him.

There could have been no happier ending for this magical couple. Aphrodite ceased to be jealous of her son’s mistress and danced with them at their wedding. Zeus decided to make the Psyche immortal. Now that brave and beautiful woman with the wings of a butterfly also represents the Ψ symbol of psychology.