5 Love Stories from Mythology That Ended in Tragedy

Even divine love is not safe from fate, sacrifice, and heartbreak.

SHAKTI & SHIVA

Their eternal bond was shattered when Shakti immolated herself, leaving Shiva in cosmic grief.

OSHUN & SHANGO

A passionate love marked by betrayal and separation, leaving Oshun heartbroken despite her divine strength.

IXCHEL & ITZAMNA

Ixchel’s love for the creator god Itzamna ended in loss and distance, despite their celestial union.

HINENUITEPŌ & MĀUI

The goddess Hinenuitepō ended the demigod Māui’s quest for immortality, turning love into a tragic divide between life and death.

HEL & BALDUR

Hel’s unreturned affection kept Baldur trapped in the underworld forever, sealing one of Norse mythology’s greatest heartbreaks.

Across cultures, mythology reminds us that even divine love can face impossible choices and tragic endings. These stories endure because they reveal something deeply human—love’s power, its fragility, and its timeless ache.