How World Cultures View Destiny in Love: Fate, Karma, and Soulmates

PDF Version. Is love really our destiny in life? What do different cultural traditions tell us about predestined connection? Love is often viewed as a mysterious force—one that many societies attribute to fate. The English word ‘destiny’ derives from Latin, … Continue reading

Gratitude and Love in Cultural Perspective

PDF Version. The grateful attitude and emotions toward other people and life are referred to as gratitude. When we express gratitude for what other people and life have given us, we experience several situational emotions. When we are grateful, thankful, … Continue reading

How Altruistic Are Chinese Attitudes in Love Relationships?

The concepts of altruism and altruistic love are well known to Western and Eastern scholars and the educated public. Ideas of selfless, altruistic love can be traced back to ancient times in many cultures of the world, specifically in Western … Continue reading

The Chinese Culture of Altruistic Love

Western scholars and the educated public are well familiar with the concepts of altruism and altruistic love. In the ancient Greek philosophy, the word “agape” defined this kind of altruistic, selfless, and all-giving love. Later, Christian teachings elevated the concept … Continue reading

Three Surprisingly Unusual Matriarchal Cultures in Asia

Many of us are familiar with traditional patriarchal societies that are widespread across the world. In patriarchy, the father is both the home and family head in many respects. Can a matriarchal culture of gender relations be possible and viable? … Continue reading

The Cultural History of Erotic Love

The term “erotic” is derived from the Greek word eros (érōs). The ancient Greek word “eros” was first used to describe a desire for beauty and an appreciation of art (Lomas, 2018). “Erotic love” refers to the perception of a … Continue reading

Interpersonal Self-Disclosure Differs in Different Cultures 

Self-disclosure is the way an individual communicates and shares personal information with another. Values and opinions, goals and aspirations, plans and thoughts, feelings and preferences, achievements and failures, fears and hopes, dreams and disappointments—all these internal personal things can be … Continue reading