The Heart and Other Symbols of Love

The heart as the symbol of love

The heart sign appears as a symbol in all the major cultural spheres. In the Christian trilogy of faith, hope and charity, heart stands and for charity as the anchor cross stands for hope. It also appears with a religious or positive meaning among Aztecs, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, Celts, and Taoists.
In ancient Greece the heart sign (together with the flower) was related the lyre, the attribute of Eros, the god of sexual love, around 600-400 B.C. Later, the attribute of Greek Eros, his Roman counterpart Amor, and even Cupid (Latin = desire) was changed to the bow and arrow. On a Greek amphora from around 500 B.C. one can see heart used as leaves of a wreath placed on the head of Dionysos, the god of wine and feasting.
The heart has long been used as a symbol to refer to the spiritual, emotional, moral, and in the past also intellectual core of a human being. Since the heart was once widely believed to be the seat of the human mind, the word "heart" continues to be used poetically to refer to the soul, and stylized depictions of hearts are extremely prevalent symbols representing love. However, more realistic depictions of human hearts tend to have macabre connotations of death and violence, quite unlike the concepts associated with the poetic and symbolic heart. This discrepency is a common source of dark humor.
Many classical and medieval philosophers and scientists, including Aristotle, considered the heart the seat of thought, reason or emotion, often rejecting the value of the brain.
Shape is typically colored red, suggesting both blood and, in many cultures, passion and strong emotion. It and diamonds are the two red suits in most playing card decks.

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.
* 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).
As a result of this, the heart-shape symbol is the best icon that can symbolise Love. And the facts brought by history, makes it more appreciated. So the next time you fall in love, give your heart the true justice it deserves.