lupa

Lupa is a Latin noun meaning "she-wolf." In Roman mythology the lupa is the mythical female wolf that nursed the twin brothers Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome. The story of the she-wolf has been used to symbolize Rome’s origins and identity, and it has appeared in various artistic and literary works over the centuries. A famous representation of the motif is the Capitoline Wolf, a bronze sculpture traditionally associated with the founding myth and displayed in Rome’s Capitoline Museums.

In addition to its zoological sense, lupa has historically carried a pejorative connotation in Latin and, by extension, in Italian and other languages. It has been used to refer to a woman of loose morals or a prostitute, a usage that is now considered offensive in many contexts and is not appropriate in formal or respectful discourse.

Etymology and usage: The word lupa derives from Latin lupa, related to lupus, the term for wolf. The feminine form reflects the gender of the animal, and over time the word accrued social stigma in various periods and regions, influencing its reception in literature, art, and everyday speech.

Summary: Lupa primarily denotes a female wolf in Latin, most famously linked to the myth of Romulus and Remus and symbolizing Rome in art and culture. It also carries a historical pejorative sense referring to a prostitute or promiscuous woman, reflecting social attitudes toward female sexuality in classical and later contexts.