20 Shades of Love

Unknown Source

Well, its more a Hierarchy than shades. 

Hierarchy of Love

1. Theophila: Love for God, characterized by a deep, spiritual connection and devotion.

2. Self-Transcendent Love: Love that transcends personal desires and ego, connecting with something greater and fostering a sense of unity and interconnectedness.

3. Agape: Selfless, unconditional love that seeks the well-being of others without expecting anything in return.

4. Altruism: Selfless concern for the well-being of others, often leading to acts of kindness and generosity.

5. Compassion: A deep awareness of and sympathy for another’s suffering, combined with a desire to alleviate it.

6. Fidelity: Faithfulness and loyalty in relationships, often associated with commitment and trust.

7. Protectiveness: A strong desire to protect and care for someone, often seen in parental or close relationships.

8. Pragma: Practical or enduring love, often seen in long-term relationships where partners work together to maintain the relationship.

9. Storge: Familial love, the affectionate bond between immediate (parental & siblings) and extended family members. Including Parental Love: The deep, unconditional love that parents have for their children, marked by nurturing, protection, and support.

10. Philia: Deep friendship or affectionate love, characterized by mutual respect, trust, and emotional closeness.

11. Platonic Love: A deep, non-romantic affection between friends, marked by mutual respect and emotional closeness.

12. Positive Regard: Unconditional positive regard, accepting and valuing someone without judgment.

13. Philautia: Self-love, the healthy regard and respect for oneself.

14. Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others.

15. Concern: Showing genuine interest and empathy for the well-being of others.

16. Support: Offering help and encouragement during difficult times.

17. Gratitude: Recognizing and valuing the contributions of others.

18. Kindness: Being considerate and caring towards others.

19. Ludus: Playful or flirtatious love, often seen in the early stages of a romantic relationship.

20. Care: Providing emotional and practical support to others. This is the very basis of human consciousness and human attention. While it is said the Consciousness is “always about something “ it is always a focus on something we care about. The ‘reasons’ for care are as vast as there are different persons in-the-world.

Modes of Love

Of these kinds of Love in the above Hierarchy there can be Three Modes of each.

1. Mode of Benevolence.

2. Mode of Malevolence.

3. Mode of Neutrality.