People see hearts everywhere.
The symbolic meanings are really up to the interpreter. What culture, society, or an interpreter says about the heart symbol will always be different because beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
When signs come into our lives, it simply means we’ve got to make sense of them as they apply to our life situations – there is a message, and it’s always personal (and usually profound). That said – here are a few ideas on the symbolic meaning of hearts…
“Believe in your heart that you’re meant to live a life full of passion, purpose, magic and miracles.”~ Roy T. Bennett
Magicians and alchemists used heart symbols for incantations pertaining to matters related to love and romance. The symbol was also used in rituals with a goal to strengthen relationships. The heart has long been recognized across cultures as being a symbol of love, charity, joy and compassion and for this same reason, I have chosen the heart as the logo for this blog as these same four attributes are how I would describe, Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
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.
Consider the symbolism of an upside-down triangle. The heart evolved from this initial symbol.
An inverted triangle is a geometrical representation of the heart. As such, it has big meanings.
This emblem signifies the tap root of primal power, sexual power. It is one (inverted) point ignites the spark that surges heat up the rest of the chakra spine.
Anahata Common Name: Heart Chakra Located: Heart Area Details and Governance: The heart chakra governs the body’s lungs and thymus, it also influences the sense of touch. Emotionally, this chakra is the seat compassion, love and healing. Its element is air, its color is green, and it’s mantra is yam.
Connect with this chakra to access love.
Inverted triangles are also seen in the solar plexus (Manipura), throat (Vishudha) and third eye (Ajna) chakras.
The Greek philosopher Thales believed water was the first substance created in the world.
Aristotle labeled water as cold and wet, and Hippocrates connected it to the body humor phlegm. Additionally, it’s associated with intuition as well as the color blue, and is often linked to the alchemy symbol of mercury (as both are seen as feminine symbols). Hippocrates was the first person to delve into water treatment. Early records tell of Hippocrates’s advisement to first boil water to improve the taste and then filtering it through a cloth bag which came to be known as Hippocrates Sleeve.
I find all these connections and correlations to be fascinating. The heart pumps the lifeblood through our veins which gives us the ability to be alive. Water, too gives life to all things on Earth. It certainly gave life to Eureka Springs.
The Native Americans that first came to Eureka Springs considered the waters here to be sacred. They worshiped the water. They treated the water with kindness, respect and love. They were grateful for it and it showed because they took care of it. Even neighboring tribes could visit and partake of the cold, clear waters without resistance and ancient ceremonies of health and healing were often held in the natural waters here.
People were drawn from miles around to Eureka Springs because of the alleged health and healing properties in the water here.
The water alchemy symbol is the inverse of the fire symbol; a downward-point triangle. This symbol is sometimes said to resemble containers for holding water, such as a cup, chalice or urn. One again, Roman Catholics symbolize a chalice vessel in which love is poured or carried.
To that, an upside-down triangle is also a geometrical representation of the heart.
“One love, one heart, one destiny.” ~Bob Marley
With a little imagination, you can see the human heart resembling the heart icon❤️.
Think back to the 14th century when the very first autopsies were performed. In fact, Leonardo DaVinci was one of the first to dissect the human body for the purpose of discovery, knowledge and healing.
Imagine Leonardo peering into his first chest cavity and marveling over the human heart.
He was a genius, and also an artist. Legend has it that he saw this core organ at an angle and is said to have sketched the very first simplified version of the common heart icon we see today. ❤️
As most of us now know (particularly with the advent of popular movies such as the DaVinci Code) the inverted triangle is an esoteric symbol of the divine feminine, or feminine power in general. DaVinci, as many artists have depicted for years, had a tendency to look at the human body in terms of different shapes.
Effectually, the heart is an accurate representation of the female form artistically. This ties in with the ideas, teachings and viewpoints of DaVinci who is reported to have simplified pictographs of his teachings on subjects of the heart, love, and the divine feminine.
According to DaVinci, heart symbol meaning (in the feminine sense) is symbolic of: sensuality, passion, emotion, love and nurturing.
I encourage you to consider these different meanings and connections and associate them to the times when the heart icon or symbol appears in your life. Relate these meanings to the situations in your life. Make your own observations.
Take the time to think about the deeper meanings involved with your heart sightings. When we take the time to observe and when we are still enough – the answers always come.
I hope this blog-post presents a good starting foundation on heart symbolism, and, like it did for me in the creation of this site - www.iloveureka.com - it, inspires the use of this versatile icon for big inspirations in one's life.
Whether a representation of the human anatomy, it's connection to the element water, or a Greek/alchemical symbol, the heart is a compelling feature in human iconography.
May all your your hearts be filled with joy and love. ❤️
