In Greek mythology, Psyche was a mortal woman whose beauty rivaled that of Aphrodite, the goddess of love. The jealous goddess sent her son Eros (also called Cupid) to make Psyche fall in love with something hideous, but instead Eros fell in love with Psyche himself. Their story involved mysterious nighttime visits, broken promises, impossible tasks, and Psyche's journey to the underworld. Eventually, after proving her devotion through many trials, Psyche became immortal and married Eros. Her name literally meant “soul” or “breath” in ancient Greek, and the Greeks often depicted her as a butterfly, a symbol of transformation and the soul.

Today, we still use the word psyche (pronounced “SY-kee”) to mean a person's mind, soul, or inner self. When someone says “that movie really messed with my psyche,” they mean it affected them emotionally or mentally. A psychologist studies the human psyche, trying to understand how people think and feel. If a coach uses psych-out tactics, they're trying to get inside opponents' heads and undermine their confidence.

The connection between the mythological Psyche and our modern meaning makes sense: both refer to the deepest, most essential part of who we are, the invisible force that makes us feel, think, and experience life.