Why is LOVE always related to the Heart -shaped or Heart symbol?
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I believe the heart is the center of all vital organs of our body. Did you know that even without breathing as long as your heart is still working/beating, you have a chance to live? But my real query is, why the heart is associated as a the sign/symbol of Love? Why not any other sign or body parts?
When I first heard this question from my friend. It really made me wonder. And according to some historians, the heart-shaped symbol that represents love and adoration has been here since the existence of man.
But the icon and the real thing share nothing in common at all. The real heart is shaped like a yellow/red football, and the symbol a heart drawn in a stylized shape. Usually with the color red, which suggest blood, passion and strong emotion and associated too with romantic poetry, Valentine's day and chocolate boxes.
So this symbol doesn't even come close to the appearance of the human heart. But, it is said, that the double humps atop a stylized heart vaguely recall a male reproductive organ, head's shape, but rounded rather than pointed. Or can also depict the human female body, such as the female reproductive organ, the Sumerian cuneiform or its mound. And some maintains a resemblance to the shape of the female breasts or buttocks.
Some historians said, one possible origin, of the shape of the heart, is a seed pod. The Silphium, a type of fennel, which seeds are distinctly heart-shaped, but has been extinct for over two Millennium. It can be seen engraved on the ancient coins of the city of Cyrene.
The Greeks believed the plant was a gift from Apollo (archer-god of medicine and healing, light, truth, a bringer of death-dealing plague or also know as the sun-god in Greek Mythology). The plant appeared after a heavy rain storm flooded the city of Cyrene. But evidence of Silphium was used much earlier in Egypt and Libya too. Because of its varied medical uses and scarcity, it was considered to be "worth its weight in denarii" during Roman times. Eventually, they harvested the plant to extinction.
And for why the seed pod possibly rank itself as the premiere symbol of love and romance? Maybe because Silphium was the main ingredient for the most highly effective natural birth-control medicine of its time. It was used as an herbal contraceptive or abortifacient. So its shape may have come to be associated with sexuality and love.
And also, the "heart" shape is formed by the back and wings of a dove, which was associated with Aphrodite, the ancient Greek Goddess of Love.
OTHER LOVE SYMBOLS:
Wine and candles: Usually used with romantic settings, for intimate celebrations, anniversaries, especially if associated by other love symbols.
Rosemary: Also used as a symbol for fidelity and remembrance.
Lips: Associated with passion, kissing, and a pair of lips painted with bright red lipstick leaves a print sealed with Love.
Cupid: Roman God of Love, Eros in Greek mythology represented by a winged boy carrying a bow and arrow, with which he pierced his victim's heart causing them to fall in love.
Heart pierced by an arrow: Shot by Cupid or Eros, causing the person to fall passionately in love. And it explains the pain and pleasure of Love.
Arrow: Symbolises Strength, Penetration, Struck by Love and the deep wound or scar that Love leave.
Broken heart: Often symbolises loss of Love, spurned or rejected lover, and the pain of this. The term "heartbroken" is used for extreme sadness and grief.
Chocolate: Said to be better than flowers,~lol It has romantic connotations, gift of a lover. And not to mention the supposed aphrodisiac properties associated with it.
Mistletoe: During Christmas season, standing under it, gives anyone the opportunity to kiss you.
Wedding rings: Represent permanency, "until death do us part", and also for union or togetherness.
Roses: Red roses symbolise Love and Passion. White roses symbolise virginity and purity. Yellow roses symbolise jealousy and infidelity.
Jasmine: Strongly scented, white flower used as a Hindu symbol for Love.
Osram Ne Nsoroma: The Adinkra (West Africa) symbol representing love consisting of a star (the woman) and the moon (the man).
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Comments
Very well said. For me too, it's like the heart lacks of purpose if it is not in love. And with Love it will depict its true functionality. And shine with so much more vitality. Hmmm, seems like I just repeated what you said.~lol Thank you Bluewings. And yes, "the heart speaks the language of love best"...(^^,)
The heart symbol has a definate history behind it that is hard to trace. I prefer to go with the ancient egyptian theory of the "ab" which was believed to be the centre of good and bad within the person. It makes sense to me :). Great hub Aphoditei
Great! I have not seen the "ab" of the Egyptian.~maybe because I was to sleepy.~lol But now, I agree too..they believed, "it was the heart and not the mind that was the seat of emotion and thought." and that Man's integrity was his heart, not his brain -- "as a man thinketh in his heart;" that God recognized what was in a man's heart."
And to add, "at death, the heart was removed with the other viscera, and placed in the separate Jar, with the hieroglyph for heart, called the AB. And the heart is balanced on the pans of the Scales against the Feather of Truth. Thoth, in the symbolic ibis-headed figure, the Guardian of the Dead, attends the Weighing."
Thank you Tshirtscene for adding this very great information to the article. Thank you. (^^,)
That's an interesting tidbit of info about the heart that I didn't know before this! This is a very interesting article, thank you for sharing! ;-)
Thank Lordwarwizard! I'm glad you like it. (^^,)
WOW!! i have never thought that this symbol has such a big history.. its a very nice to hub..thanks alot for sharing buddy!!
I'm glad you like the few trivia. There is much more history to the heart symbol. And thanks too buddy! (^^,)
Heart symbol is the most common symbol for love and certainly the most recognizable. Magicians and Alchemists used the Heart symbols for incantations pertaining to matters related to love and romance. They were also used in rituals with a goal to stengthen relationships. The Heart has long been recognized across cultures as being a symbol for charity, joy and compassion. Also an emblem of truth, the "Sacred Heart" of Christ is also the focus of Roman Catholic worship as a symbol of the Lord's love. As a graphic representation of an inverted triangle, this symbolizes a vessel in which love is poured or carried.
Oh yes, when inverteded it looks like a vessel. Thank you for adding this great info too Sunsix! There is so much we can add to the heart symbol history. (^^,)
Great post, heart is the number one candidate everyone will agree. Hope they could have recorded their reasonings for it, so we don't have to have any doubts about it.
This is a very good article and something I've wondered about -- the heart shape. I might add that chocolates I think are aphrodisiacal (sp? my fingers just would not stop on that word!) because chocolate releases endorphins. Or mighty endorphin power rangers.
Thank you Cgull8m and Creme! (^^,)
A great addition. I liked!
hey I didn't know about this befor I read this. great! thanks for sharing it! I love it. I heart it? he he he!
Who would ever have thought, that a symbol so globally used and recognized, has such a long and ancient history! Thank you for a wonderful hearty article.
Thank you Oarnamav, Msk and Annie!
I'm glad you "heart" it. And it was my pleasure to share its heartfelt history. (^^,)
Sis, i beleive that heart is the seat of human mind for the heart speaks for the soul....it is sometimes stronger than the brain. It seems like it has a mind of its own...agree? For sure!
It is not our mind but the body which feels the emotions as sensation. The emotion of sadness or agony is felt by the painful sensation at the tips of the fingers by some people. Love is a mixture of emotions and almost all of these emotions are felt by or somewhere near the heart with the emotion of longing being the strongest. And that is why I think heart is represented as a symbol of love.
Interesting information about the Silphium. I have never heard of that before. I'm glad I found this hub. Educational. Thank you for writing!
Great article!
Thank you Teeray! I'm glad you like this hub.(^^,)
Good post. I enjoyed the story. I had never considered the origins of the heart shape. A timely ub for Valentine's Day!
Happy Valentine's Day!
Thank you Mr. JD. I'm glad you liked it. Happy Valentines day!!! (^^,)
it is so interesting with the persons like...thanks a lot...do more...
Thank you Chinky!!! Happy Heart day!!! (^^,)
I have been wondering this. Thanks. I was wondering if anyone knows where I can read about the whole ancient egyptian theory of the "ab"thing.
E-mail me if you happen to know.
shlakama@yahoo.com
ok cool?
Very good explanation. Great article.
Good interesting information ..
bluewings says:
2 years ago
Interesting history! For me I associate love with heart because heart seems so plastic without love.In the absence of love when the heart beats ,it seems to be attempting to serve life ;while a heart in love seems to be the real purpose and functionality of a heart.I think the heart speaks the language of love best and nothing else could have justified love so much as the heart does.