Why does a Heart Mean Love?

Heart shaped jewellery has been an accepted symbol for “love” for centuries, but … why does a heart mean love?

While the heart may skip a beat when we are excited, or hurt when we are sad, how did the symmetric, love-heart shape come to represent those feelings?

Could it have begun with the heart shaped seeds of Silphium plant used in 7th century BC Cyrene as birth control?!

Or perhaps the shape began with the Egyptian hieroglyphic symbol for the heart?

Did the heart shape come from the shape of a fig leaf, a pine cone or even a shapely derriere? (Upside down Mr Squiggle!).

During the Middle Ages the familiar “love heart” shape began appearing in paintings, glass windows, tapestries and other forms of visual art as a gift to be passed between lovers and loved ones.

In Victorian times, the emphasis on jewellery telling personal stories of loved ones saw “love hearts” used in many beautiful designs that are with us still.

In a heart-shaped nutshell, nobody seems to be really sure of the origins, but wherever and whenever the Heart Shape began it is now instantly recognised as a symbol of love, and your Giddy Aunts say … “long live the love heart!”

 

This guest post was written by Nikki from Oh My Giddy Aunt, generous sponsors of our “Sharing the Love” Giveaway. Have you entered yet? Entries close midday on Valentine’s Day!

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