We’ve all seen and used the heart symbol many times in our lives. Whether you draw it in a card, text it to someone, or buy a cutout in a store to give someone, the heart symbol is one of the most recognized symbols in the world. Sometimes it can be a little overused. So what does the heart symbol actually mean?
The answer actually varies, depending on the circumstances in which it is used. Each culture, society or individual may interpret a heart symbol differently. Here are some of the most common interpretations of what the heart symbol means:
- Love
- Sex
- Attraction
- Unity
- Cohesion
- Sensual
- Strength
Since there are so many interpretations, it’s no wonder why the symbol is so widespread. The funny thing about the symbol is that it doesn’t really look like the actual heart that’s in our bodies. Way back in the early Egyptian times, the heart symbol was actually drawn as a round figure with lines protruding out of it, which represented what the heart actually looks like. The heart symbol has slowly evolved over time into what we know it as now. In fact, one of the earliest representations of the symbol as we know it dates back to the 13th century.
A Symbol of Love
The most common meaning for the heart symbol is love. People use the symbol to replace the word “love” in different cultures. Valentine’s Day is one of the most common times of the year where the heart symbol is used. That day is supposed to represent your love for your family or significant other, and the best way to do that is with the heart symbol. One of the unique things about the heart symbol is that it is somewhat difficult to draw freehand, so no heart symbols look alike. That is representative of our actual hearts, which all function the same way, but are still unique to each individual.
A Symbol of Sex/Attraction
For the most part, the heart symbol is more of a feminine symbol. However, males still use the symbol frequently to express their emotions to the person they have feelings for. Simply sending a text message of a heart symbol to someone that you admire shows how you feel about them. It can mean that you love them, that you are thinking about them, that you are attracted to them or a variety of other meanings.
A Symbol of Unity/Cohesion/Strength
For families and spouses, the heart symbol can signify unity. When couples get married, it is often portrayed as two hearts becoming one in certain cultures. This also goes along with the symbolism of strength. When two hearts become one, then it is stronger as a unit. As the heart grows fonder, the heart symbol can mean different things.
The heart symbol unifies people as their hearts grow together. Then they become cohesive with one another, which creates a stronger bond that nothing can break. As families grow closer to one another, the heart symbolizes more than just the love for one another. It symbolizes a unified group that nothing can tear down.
A Symbol of Sensuality
Love and sex are two of the most common uses for the heart symbol in everyday speech and language, so sensuality goes hand-in-hand with that. It is easy to express your sensual feelings to someone else just by sending them a heart symbol. It signifies the pursuit of your feelings to the other person and can make them feel special when they receive the heart symbol from you.
Each culture interprets the heart symbol in different ways. The worldwide meaning of the heart symbol is love, though. People express themselves differently, and a lot of people don’t like to talk about love because it can be uncomfortable. Instead, the heart symbol itself can tell a lot about your particular feelings in a situation.
The heart symbol can create relationships and make them stronger. In fact, many families can use the heart symbol and create their own meaning with it. Since it can be a symbol for many things, people are free to use the heart symbol in different situations that makes it more meaningful and recognizable for them.