The heart has historically been more than just a symbol for romance:
The heart symbol (❤) is a universal ideograph representing the center of emotion, including affection and love. While its shape differs significantly from the actual human organ, it has evolved over millennia from ancient botanical references to its current status as a digital mainstay.
: Medieval physicians, such as Galen, described the human heart as having three chambers with a dent at the top, which might have influenced the "double-scalloped" base of the modern icon. heart symbol
: The 1977 "I ♥ NY" logo designed by Milton Glaser solidified the heart as a verb meaning "to love," fundamentally changing its usage in branding.
: Linked the heart to the core of all strong emotions, including grief, joy, and fear, rather than just romantic affection. The heart has historically been more than just
: Early examples of heart-like shapes are found in the leaves of the peepal tree in ancient Indus Valley civilizations and the silphium plant on Roman-era coins from Cyrene. Silphium was prized as a medicine and contraceptive, linking the shape to fertility and romance early on.