Love resides in your Heart : Fact or Myth

The connection between love and the heart has a long history and can be traced back to ancient cultures. In ancient Greece, the heart was believed to be the seat of emotions, and the word "heart" was used to describe both the physical organ and the emotional center of a person. The ancient Greeks also believed that the heart was the source of love and affection, and this idea was depicted in their art and literature.

In the Middle Ages, the heart became a symbol of romantic love and chivalry. During this time, courtly love, an idealized form of love between a knight and a lady, became popular in literature and poetry. The heart became an important symbol of this idealized love, and the phrase "to give your heart" came to mean to give one's love and devotion.

Love, Heart and Ancient Cultures

In many cultures, the heart is seen as the center of the human body and the source of life. This idea has led to the heart being considered the most important organ in the body, both physically and symbolically. The heart has held a significant importance in many ancient cultures, and has been seen as both a physical and symbolic center of the human body and spirit.

• Ancient Egyptians: The heart was considered the most important organ in ancient Egyptian culture, and it was believed to hold the essence of a person's being. In their religious beliefs, the heart was considered the source of a person's thoughts, emotions, and memories, and it was believed that the heart would be weighed against the feather of Ma'at, the goddess of truth, in the afterlife to determine a person's worthiness.
• Ancient Greeks: The ancient Greeks believed that the heart was the seat of emotions and the source of love and affection. The word "heart" in Greek, "kardia," was used to describe both the physical organ and the emotional center of a person.
• Ancient Chinese: In traditional Chinese medicine, the heart is considered the ruler of the body's emotional state, and it is believed that a healthy heart is essential for emotional well-being. In this culture, the heart was also seen as the source of the Shen, which is the spirit or essence of a person. The heart was also seen as the source of a person's wisdom and understanding, and it was considered to be the seat of the mind.
• Ancient Mayans: The Mayans believed that the heart was the source of life, and they saw the heart as being connected to the sun, which was the source of life and energy in their cosmology. In their religious beliefs, the heart was considered to be the center of a person's being and the source of their strength and vitality.
• Ancient Romans: The ancient Romans believed that the heart was the source of a person's courage and bravery, and they saw it as the center of a person's emotions and desires. They also believed that the heart was the source of a person's wisdom and understanding, and it was considered to be the seat of the soul.
• Ancient Aztecs: The Aztecs believed that the heart was the source of a person's life force and the center of their being. They saw the heart as being connected to the sun and the stars, and they believed that the heart was a symbol of the eternal cycle of life and death.
• Hinduism: In Hinduism, the heart is considered to be the seat of the Atman, or the individual soul, and it is seen as the center of a person's being. The heart is also considered to be the source of a person's emotions and desires, and it is believed to be the source of the love and compassion that connects all living beings.
• Hindu Mythology: In Hindu mythology, the heart is considered to be the source of a person's emotional and spiritual life, and it is seen as the center of their being. The heart is also considered to be the source of love and compassion, and it is believed to be the source of the love and connection that exist between all living beings.

Heart and Love in Literature

The connection between the heart and love can be traced back to early literature, poetry, and mythologies from various cultures. Here are a few examples:

• Ancient Greece: In Greek mythology, the goddess of love, Aphrodite, was said to have the power to make people fall in love by tapping her magic wand to their hearts. This connection between love and the heart was also evident in Greek poetry, where the heart was frequently used as a symbol of love and desire.
• Ancient Rome: In Roman literature and poetry, the heart was often used as a symbol of love and affection. The Roman poet Ovid wrote extensively about love and the heart in his works, such as the "Amores" and the "Metamorphoses."
• Medieval Literature: During the Middle Ages, the heart was frequently used as a symbol of love and devotion in literature and poetry. The heart was seen as the center of a person's emotions and desires, and it was considered to be the source of their love and affection.
• Courtly Love: During the Middle Ages, the idea of courtly love was popular, which was a chivalrous and romantic ideal in which a knight would express his love and devotion to a lady. This idea of love was often associated with the heart, and the heart was seen as the center of a person's emotions and desires.
• Shakespearean Literature: William Shakespeare, the great English playwright and poet, often used the heart as a symbol of love and affection in his works. In his plays, the heart was frequently described as the source of a person's emotions and desires, and it was considered to be the center of their being.
• Sonnets: The heart was also a popular subject of sonnets, a form of poetry that was popular during the Renaissance. Sonnets often used the heart as a symbol of love and affection, and they described the heart as the center of a person's emotions and desires.
• Medieval Romance: Medieval romances, such as "Tristan and Iseult" and "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight," often featured the heart as a symbol of love and devotion. In these works, the heart was seen as the source of a person's emotions and desires, and it was considered to be the center of their being.
• Eastern Literature: The connection between the heart and love can also be found in Eastern literature, such as Persian poetry and Indian literature. In these works, the heart was often used as a symbol of love and affection, and it was considered to be the center of a person's emotions and desires.
• Sanskrit Literature: Sanskrit literature, such as the Vedas and the Puranas, often refers to the heart as the source of love and compassion. The heart is seen as the center of a person's emotions and desires, and it is considered to be the source of their love and affection.
• Bhakti Literature: The Bhakti tradition, which is a form of devotional Hinduism, emphasizes the importance of love and devotion to a deity. In Bhakti literature, the heart is often used as a symbol of love and devotion, and it is considered to be the source of a person's emotional and spiritual connection to their deity.
• Indian Poetry: Indian poetry, such as the poetry of the Sufi tradition, also often refers to the heart as the source of love and affection. The heart is seen as the center of a person's emotions and desires, and it is considered to be the source of their love and connection to others.

Love is not a physical part of the heart, but it is often associated with it symbolically. The heart is often used as a symbol for love, emotions, and affection, and it is also closely tied to our emotional experiences. The phrase "to wear your heart on your sleeve" means to show your emotions openly and honestly, and when someone says they "have a broken heart," it's a way of expressing their emotional pain. However, from a scientific perspective, the heart is simply an organ that pumps blood through the circulatory system and does not have a direct connection to love and emotions.

The connection between love and the heart has continued to be a strong cultural symbol to this day, and it is often seen in Valentine's Day cards, jewelry, and other romantic gifts.