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Symbols & Expressions of Love
The Symbols of Love
Whether you desire more love in your own life, or want to see evidence of the loving world all around you; begin by recognizing the universal signs and symbols that are attached with the shared expressions of love.
These symbols will stimulate positive energy and open up new opportunities for love to surround and flow through us. Here is a glimpse of just a few love symbols that have been used around the world and across the ages...
Loving Legends of The Apple
"Love is a flower which turns into fruit at marriage." ~Finnish Proverb
1.The Apple is a symbol of ecstasy, fertility and abundance as well as love.
~ In early Greece, a newly married couple would share an Apple as a symbol of their marriage and hope for a fruitful union.
~ In China the Apple blossom represents adoration and love.
~ Gypsy legend said that if a young woman ate half of an apple before midnight and the other half after midnight, her true love would appear to her in a dream.
~ At the wedding of Zeus and Hera, apples were given to the bride-to-be to ensure their lasting love and union.
~ Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, gave baskets filled with Apples that were meant to woo Aphrodite and win her love.
Murano Glass Apple Paperweight
![M Design Art Handcraft Glass Blue Crystal Apple Paperweight [Kitchen]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41A%2B4wSe0LL._SL160_.jpg)
This lovely paperweight was handcrafted by skilled artisans who worked night and day to refine his skill. Each piece starts with a designated shape carefully formed by the artist. Through hard work and years of experience the artist creates various designs of vibrant colors and textures which engulf the surface each piece. Usually several layers of assorted colors and designs are rendered--overlapping one another. Once the piece nears the end of completion, it is finished with a clear coat of glass to give it an exquisite glimmering shine.
Cupid or Eros
"When the one man loves the one woman and the one woman loves the one man, the very angels desert heaven and come and sit in that house and sing for joy." ~The Brahma Sutras
2. The initial spark of love and attraction between a man and a woman was once thought to be due to Cupid.
Traditionally, Cupid is seen as a naked, chubby boy with wings and a mischievous smile. He carries a bow and arrow, which he uses to strike love into our hearts.
Cupid or "Eros" means desire in Greek.
~ In ancient Greece, Eros (Cupid), was the young son of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, and Ares. According to Hesiod, Eros was the deity who came from Chaos ("The Yawning Void") and represented the primal forces of desire.
~ According to a legend in Roman mythology, Cupid's mother, Venus (the Goddess of Love) was jealous of the beauty of Psyche, Cupid's mortal lover, and ordered Cupid to punish her. Instead, Cupid fell deeply in love with her, and took her as his wife, but as a mortal Psyche was forbidden to ever look directly at Cupid.
Psyche was happy until her sisters persuaded her to look at Cupid, Cupid punished her by leaving her. Psyche instantly found herself alone in an open field without Cupid or any other human in sight. As she wandered trying to find her love, she came upon Venus at her temple. Psyche begged for release from the wasteland and return to find Cupid. Venus finally relented and gave Psyche a series of dangerous tasks, if she completed them she would be released.
For her last task, Psyche was sent to the underworld to steal some of Persephone beauty. and put it in a magic box. She was warned not to open the box, but temptation overcame her and when she opened it, instead of finding beauty, she found a deadly slumber.
When Cupid found her lifeless body on the ground, he gathered the deadly sleep from her and put it back in the box. Moved by her sacrifice and courage Cupid forgave her, and the Gods, moved by Psyche's love for Cupid, made her a Goddess.~
Source: YahooAnswers.com
The Art and Poetry of Love
Scores of evocative love poems, drawn from the entire range of world literature, are matched with wonderfully vibrant works of art--paintings, sculpture, prints, collages, and stained glass to create an elegant anthology of love peoms and masterpieces from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 140 color illustrations.
Symbols of Love in Crystal
The Art of Love
Many famous Italian Renaissance artworks were made to celebrate love and marriage. Here is a collection of 140 works of art, celebrating love and life.
The Enchanted Harp
"Music is love in search of a word." ~Sidney Lanier
3.The Harp is a symbol of love in the form of lyrical art, poetry, and music.
"According to legends, the first harp was built by Canola. After a tiff with her love, she wandered through the night and was drawn to some beautiful music, which eventually sent her to sleep. In the morning she discovered the source of the sound - the skeleton of a whale with flesh hanging down, through which the wind had blown and made a unique sound. Inspired by the find, she created the first harp and dedicated it to Daghda, the Celtic god of abundance and protection. Daghda's harp is said to have the ability to create three types of music - sad, joyful and peaceful."
~ Holistic.Shop.Co.Uk
~ The Harp shares more mythical connections to the Celts, representing the bridge of love, connecting heaven and earth.
~ In Norway and Iceland, the Harp strings formed a ladder symbolizing the ascent to higher states of love and a pathway leading to paradise.
~ King David played the Harp to the Lord, to express his devotion and love.
The Music of Love
The effect of Rumi's achingly poignant words set against a fusion of east/west music is beautiful and spiritual.
The Heart as A Symbol of Love - "A hundred hearts would be too few To carry all my love for you." ~Author Unknown
4.A Heart, pierced by the cupid's arrow, once rumored to be tipped with diamonds, has become the most famous symbol of love. The Heart has long been recognized across cultures as being a symbol for charity, joy and compassion, as well as love.
~ It was formerly believed that the heart was the seat of all human emotions and that the "vein of love", ran directly from the heart to the tip of the third finger of the left hand, which is where we wear our wedding rings today. Accordingly, the gifting of a heart signified the selfless act of giving everything to someone you love. This ancient belief has lingered on through the ages.
~ Magicians and Alchemists used the Heart symbol for incantations and rituals related to love, romance and strengthening relationships.
~ As 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.
~ The Violet Heart, a symbol of love for those whose loved ones are ailing or no longer around. ~ ComfortDoc
~ As a graphic representation of an inverted triangle, the Heart symbolizes a vessel into which love is poured or carried.
Picture: StampBuddies.com
The Rose of Love - "Love is much like a wild rose, beautiful and calm, but willing to draw blood in its defense." ~Mark Overby
5.Roses are the perfect love symbol because they symbolize love, passion, desire, voluptuousness, sensuality, purity, romance and physical perfection.
~ In ancient mythology, in Greece and Rome, the first red roses are said to have grown from the blood of Adonis for the love of Aphrodite (Venus); thus, they have become symbolic of love, and often eternal life.
The color red is associated with strong emotions and below are sentiments expressed by the different colors of roses:
Lavender Roses Enchantment and Uniqueness
Orange Roses Fascination
Pink (Dark) Roses Thankfulness,Friendship and Admiration
Red Roses Love, Respect and Courage
Peach Roses Modesty, Gratitude, Admiration and Sympathy
Pink (Pale) Roses Grace, Joy and Happiness
Deep Red Roses Beauty and Passion
White Roses Innocence, Purity, Secrecy, Silence, Reverence, Humility and (according to some sources) True Love
Yellow Roses Joy, Friendship, Jealousy, Hope and Freedom
Black Roses Farewell
Red & White Roses Unity or Engagement
Yellow & Orange Roses Passionate Thoughts
Peach Roses Modesty, Gratitude, Admiration and Sympathy
Yellow & Red Roses Congratulations
Rosebuds Signify Beauty, Youth and a Heart Innocent of Love:
Red Rosebud Purity and Loveliness
White Rosebud Girlhood
Tea Roses "I'll Remember Always"
Thornless Roses "Love at first sight" or "The Virgin Mary",
The Dove and Lovebirds - Symbolizes love, loyalty and fidelity.
6.Long admired for being a symbol of peace, the Dove is also a messenger of deep symbolic love.
~ It once was a popular belief that birds chose their mates on February 14. Since doves and pigeons mate for life, they symbolize loyalty, fidelity and love.
~ Lovebirds, these small colorful birds are commonly found in Africa. Their name stems from the habit of cuddling next to one another and because once mated one can't survive without the other.
~ Slavic legend states that upon dying, our soul is transformed into a Dove which wings its way into the loving heavens.
~ In Hinduism, the Dove represents our spirit, and the spirits infinite capacity for love.
~ In Greco-Roman mythology, the dove was a sacred creature to Aphrodite or Venus (the Goddess of Love).
~ Ancient Jewish rituals sacrificed doves as gifts of love to signify the purification of a new mother after childbirth.
~ In western tradition, the Dove (as well as turtledoves) symbolizes love and are often released in wedding ceremonies.
Picture Above: OrientalOutpost.com
The Grace of The Swan
Symbolizes love, grace, purity, beauty and sincerity.
7.The Swan holds a multitude of representations including love, grace, purity, beauty and sincerity.
~ As an attribute of Aphrodite (Goddess of Love), the Swan also symbolized chastity.
~ The Swan is also associated with Zeus, the god who transformed himself into a Swan in order to seduce Leda, the beautiful mortal queen. Swans are said to have flown overhead on the day Zeus and Leda's son (Apollo) was born and are often pictured pulling his chariot.
~ In Celtic tradition, the Swan is associated with music, love, purity and the soul. They are shape-shifters, can take human form, and have mastered the elements of water, earth and air. They can always be recognized by the gold or silver chain that hangs around their neck.
~ The Swan is another symbol of the Virgin Mary and represents her purity and love.
Do You Have A Favorite Symbol for Love?
Санкт-Петербург , Челябинск
Электроинструмент
This lens so deserves a purple star, it's super sweet and lovely.
Great post on love and super images too (love the painting 'the kiss') I never realized that different roses have different meanings. Thanks
Some years ago my husband gave me a bracket called hugs and kisses, it has x made of silver and the o's are black onyx wrapped in silver, a very simple bracelet, but I love wearing it. I thought it was sweet paid attention to the local jewelry name for the bracket and that he bought it for me.
A red heart is the symbol that I like to see the most. Don Miguel Ruiz' book, "The Mastery of Love," is one of my favorite books. Thanks for sharing!
The harp is my favorite one. It is so soothing, that it resonates with love indeed.
yes
Thank you for sharing your knowledge via this big but quality lens.. Liked :)
I prefer kiss. My husband kiss me before he go out for work and my son always kiss me early in the morning too :-)
Roses
I like rose and dove. I was surprised about apples, i didn't know they are also symbols of love:)
that was veru creative, i only used heart as a symbol of love.. i knew that theres a lot of symbols out there but i just prefer using heart.. :)
thanks for this lens, you shared a very terrific pages.
I love it! I'm writing a lens about love. My view is, love, is not an emotion, but rather a state of being. I will add this ass a related lens, thank you!
Such a love-ly lens! My favorite symbol is probably the peacock, the symbol of Hera, the goddess of marriage. Blessed.
This Lens was just what I was looking for! Thanks for the useful info!
Thanks for this lens! I loved reading about all of the different symbols of love. Very informative!
great lens
The very first gift my husband gave me almost 30 years ago was a key. He told me it was the key to his heart. I have had that key on my keychain ever since.
I like heart shapes whether they are in a leaf, a rock, food, an island, the clouds etc Roses are always great and so is the poetry of Rumi which is filled with love.
Great love ! Nice lens !
Great love ! Nice lens !
Nice Lens excellent subject always!
Roses are lovely!
A feel-good lens . Thanks for sharing
I know it's not original, but my symbol of love is still a red heart and then red rose petals...
There are so many beautiful love symbols. I don't have a favorite, love them all :)
I love the lens and it's meaning ... Blessed!
romantic article indeed, let me help get more readers to this ... *blessed!*
My wife and I use kiss, lots and lots of kiss to show our affection and love for each other. So I guess that's our favorite symbol of LOVE... KISS...
Nice lens! Thumbs up for you!
Material Handling
A wonderful Valentine's Day related lens. I did not know about the story of the apples, thanks for the insight.
A wonderful Valentine's Day related lens. I did not know about the story of the apples, thanks for the insight.
B"H
I'm sort of partial to Roses (I have several designs on my Cafe Press site) though I also love heart-shapes (and I have a bunch of those designs too on Cafe Press and Zazzle).
B"H
I'm sort of partial to Roses (I have several designs on my Cafe Press site) though I also love heart-shapes (and I have a bunch of those designs too on Cafe Press and Zazzle).
B"H
I'm sort of partial to Roses (I have several designs on my Cafe Press site) though I also love heart-shapes (and I have a bunch of those designs too on Cafe Press and Zazzle).
B"H
I'm sort of partial to Roses (I have several designs on my Cafe Press site) though I also love heart-shapes (and I have a bunch of those designs too on Cafe Press and Zazzle).
B"H
I'm sort of partial to Roses (I have several designs on my Cafe Press site) though I also love heart-shapes (and I have a bunch of those designs too on Cafe Press and Zazzle).
B"H
I'm sort of partial to Roses (I have several designs on my Cafe Press site) though I also love heart-shapes (and I have a bunch of those designs too on Cafe Press and Zazzle).
What a beautifully designed lens. It was very restorative just to scroll through. I like XXXs and OOOOs. They are so simple.
What a beautifully designed lens. It was very restorative just to scroll through. I like XXXs and OOOOs. They are so simple.
Such a beautiful lens with such heart. I love the crystal figures and the artwork you included!
I absolutely love hearts and everything heart-shaped! Wonderful 'loving' lens! God bless you!
I absolutely love hearts and everything heart-shaped! Wonderful 'loving' lens! God bless you!
Beautiful lens. The heart is my favorite symbol for love.
Your lens is well done! I like the heart as a sybol of love
Really Really Nice! Blessed!
Really Really Nice! Blessed!
Your lens is perfect! Thank you.
The heart always speaks of love to me.
The heart always speaks of love to me.
The heart always speaks of love to me.
The heart always speaks of love to me.
Beautiful lens!
Love is in the air! Very nice lens!
Extraordinary lens. It's the season of love and you're effort is bang on. Great job!
Very nice lens! My grandparents told me that here in Croatia, in rural areas, it was a custom that boy gives an apple to the girl he likes. It was the time when most marriages were arranged and when it was inappropriate for girls and boys to openly talk about their feelings. Another way of saying I love you were traditional cookie "licitarsko srce" with some text or poem written on it. And then boy would choose the licitarsko srce with right words to give to his love. My father still buys and gives to my mother one of those once a year. :)
You can see them here: http://hr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datoteka:Licitari.jpg
Looks like everything is linked to love! Blessed!
So much really neat info in here that I'd never heard before. The origin of the harp is truly morbid, but really neat in that it didn't throw her off when she found what made the beautiful music!
This is a really awesome lens! Well done, enjoyed it.
Beautiful lens! I featured this in my Cute Red Heart Gifts lens. Thank you. :)
symbols are important and I love to learn from your lens, thanks
Very interesting lens, I enjoyed it!
Lovely sweet lens! Yeah, mine is shoes, Jimmy's. If he really loves me, he will give me shoes. If he wants to keep me forever, he will give me shoes and bags, Jimmy's and Marc's.
That is true love!
Valentine's Day is just around the corner!
What a lovely lens. I enjoyed all the wonderful quotes and images. Hard to pick a favorite!
I like swans very much, though I haven't come across any that had a gold or silver chain around it's neck before.
Great information here... we must love love love :D
Fabulous lens. A diamond ring would do it for me!!
My favorite is the Doves and your exquisite picture reinforced that image. Wonderful lens!
I was just here on the 5th with fresh angel dust and am so pleased to return to congratulate you on a front page feature for this sweetness!
This was the first time I ever heard of an Apple being a symbol for Love. I think an Apple will be my favourite now.
Mine is the rose, I think it's the most recognizable symbol along with Cupid. Plus, women loves roses and flowers!
I have a soft spot for Cupid. :) What a beautiful lens: blessed!
I wonder how this greatest feeling can have just three or four symbols and representations..I guess a ring can also symbolize love and affection, and it is the symbol you've missed mentioning here. Still, enjoyed your page: It made me think about more of them:)
This is a lovely lens.
Looking at different cultures and how they express their love is great, even if the culture that you are looking at is your own. Love the lens.
these classic photos are my favorite, the rustic tone to them would be my choice.
Was here a long while back and returning with angel dust for your beautiful presentation of the symbols of love....a little boost to cupid with Valentine's Day on its way!
B-E-A-U Tiful .. Nice lens thanks for sharing ... Spread the love
This is a beautiful lens! Your work is excellent. The heart is the only symbol I have in mind when I think about love.
I have played the harp for some years but I had no idea about this legend about its origins!:-)
Oddly, the swan is very much a symbol of love for me.
Love this! Blessed it on an angel quest!
nice lens
nice lens
Loved the picture of the Dove - not surprisingly!
tajmahal is my fav symbol. ~blessed~
yes, my teddy pillow
The tree.... because a tree will give its shade to all that come to it, even the one who comes to chop it down. That is an image of LOVE.
Hey nice lens!
A suggestion: how about instead of a flower, a potato! Because the flower dies in the vase.
The potato on the other hand if you leave in the kitchen it will survive and actually grow roots and evolve!
So next time you give your loved one a symbol of love, make it a potato!
P.S. Tell me how it goes :P
I love roses, doves and hearts, oh and almost forget the smile, the kiss and the hug
I love Roses the most. Sadly my husband is allergic to them, but he gets me fake ones instead.
I'm in love with these symbols! THanks
Oh I love the meaning of the light pink rose! It's my favorite. :)
Oh love... what a wonderful thing!
With Love and Gratitude,
Jeremiah
Now this is something; so endearing for a true romantic and lover. How you make love and loving even more loveable and enriching. Thank you very much for the way you crafted this lens.
Very nice lens, well deserved purple star. My favorite symbol of love is the Rose.
Regards
I really like this lens. Read a lot of articles about signs of love, all were quite the same. You came with a different perspective which was refreshing. #5 Roses, interesting.. next time my guy gives me roses it will mean so much more! Thanks.
How do I know if He Loves Me
Very nice lens and congrats on the Purple Star
~ Cupid Kisses by a Squidoo Angel ~
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