Love is a complex emotion that has been expressed through symbols for centuries. While the heart shape is the most common and recognizable symbol today, many cultures have used different images and objects to represent love and devotion throughout history. Exploring the origins and meanings behind alternative love symbols provides insight into how different societies conceptualized love and relationships.
What are some symbols that represent love?
In addition to the iconic heart shape, some other common symbols for love include:
– Roses – Often associated with Venus, the Roman goddess of love, roses symbolize passion and desire. Red roses are the most romantic, while pink and white roses convey gentler shades of affection.
– Doves – Doves often appear in mythology and folklore as messengers of love. Their billing kissing is seen as a gesture of affection.
– Cupid – The mischievous Roman god of erotic love is depicted as a cherubic winged boy armed with a bow and arrow. Being struck by one of Cupid’s arrows represents falling suddenly and deeply in love.
– Lovers’ Knot – Also known as the Celtic love knot, this intricate woven pattern derives from the ancient Celts. The unbroken loops symbolize an eternal, neverending love.
– Claddagh Ring – Originating in Ireland, Claddaugh rings show two hands clutching a crowned heart. Wearing the distinctive ring on the left ring finger, with the heart facing inward, conveys the wearer’s heart is taken.
Love symbols in ancient cultures
Civilizations throughout history developed unique love tokens steeped in their cultural values and artistic aesthetics. Here are some examples of how past societies represented love:
– Ancient Egypt – The Eye of Horus, representing protection, and the Ankh, symbolizing eternal life, were commonly exchanged by lovers. Hieroglyphics spelling out words like “beloved” were also used in ancient Egyptian love mementos.
– China – Known as the Double Fish pendant, two interlocked fish were worn as an engagement token. The fish symbolized harmony and conjugal bliss in traditional Chinese culture.
– Japan – Sakura cherry blossoms are an iconic symbol of love in Japan, representing the ephemeral beauty and fragility of life and love. Japanese love poems have compared romance to the cherry tree’s delicate blooms for centuries.
– Native American – Turquoise, believed to be a spiritual healing stone, played an important role in Native American marriage rituals. Brides were adorned in turquoise jewelry as protection and to symbolize success in love.
– Renaissance – During the 1400-1600s, lovers frequently exchanged detailed paintings or engravings of cupids, flowers, hearts, and doves as tokens of affection. Works by Botticelli and other famous artists were sometimes given as love gifts.
Unique modern love symbols
Contemporary couples have many symbols besides the classic heart shape to choose from when looking for a meaningful token of affection. Here are some more unique modern love symbols and the sentiments behind them:
– Puzzle Pieces – Fitting together perfectly, puzzle pieces represent a couple that completes each other. Each partner brings something important to the relationship that makes the puzzle whole.
– Elephant – In many cultures, elephants symbolize good luck, longevity, prosperity, and strength of family bonds. Elephant pendants and figures can make a thoughtful gift for a partner.
– Lock & Key – A lock and key melded together as one charm or pendant implies a couple that belongs together exclusively, unlocking each other’s hearts.
– Anchor – Anchors represent stability, strength, and grounding faith. As a nautical love symbol, anchors convey devotion that holds fast even through stormy seas.
– Butterfly – The metamorphosis butterflies undergo, emerging from a cocoon transformed, is symbolic of the transformations love brings. Butterflies represent hope and rebirth in relationships.
Love knots, bands, and rings
Intricate knots and eternity bands are traditional symbols of everlasting love and commitment. Here are some of these interlaced pattern love symbols and their meanings:
| Love Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Celtic Knot | Represents an eternally interwoven bond and spiritual unity between two souls. |
| Trinity Knot | The three interconnected loops symbolize faith, love, and unity in Celtic tradition. |
| Mobius Strip | The infinite loop with no beginning or end reflects enduring love. |
| Triple Moon | Combines the moon’s waxing, full, and waning phases into an emblem of the three stages of a fulfilling relationship. |
| Infinity Knot | Linked ovals forming the infinity symbol convey limitless, everlasting love. |
| Ouroboros | A snake swallowing its own tail in a closed circle represents the cyclical nature of love when good and bad times come full circle. |
These symbols can often be found carved into wedding and engagement rings as well as bands worn as tokens by couples in love. The interconnected loops emphasize the inseparable ties that bind two people in deep affection.
Flowers and their hidden romantic symbolism
For centuries, different flower species have taken on hidden meanings which covertly conveyed romantic longings and affections. Here are some of the secret sentiments associated with popular romantic flower types:
– Rose – Love, passion, beauty
– Tulip – Perfect, enduring love
– Daisy – Innocence, loyalty, purity
– Carnation – Pride, admiration
– Lily – Purity, nurturing femininity
– Violet – Faithfulness, modesty
– Daffodil – Chivalry, respect, unrequited love
– Chrysanthemum – Optimism, joy
– Sunflower – Adoration, dedication
– Hydrangea – Heartfelt emotions, gratitude for understanding
– Gardenia – Secret love
– Peony – Healing, happy life, happy marriage
– Lavender – Devotion, virtue
– Primrose – Eternal love
– Jasmine – Attachment, grace, elegance
Suitors have used flower symbolism for ages to communicate feelings that otherwise could not be spoken aloud. Even today, the hidden meanings behind flowers subtly help convey the depth of one’s affection.
Gemstones and crystals for love
Due to their beauty, brilliance, and mystical properties, certain gemstones have long been associated with Cupid and Venus as symbols of love. Here are some of the crystals believed to hold romantic power:
– Rose Quartz – This pink stone represents unconditional love. It’s linked to the heart chakra and said to help attract affection when worn near the heart.
– Ruby – Often called the stone of nobility, the red ruby signifies passion and romance. Rubies are thought to amplify positive emotions between lovers.
– Diamond – Universally recognized as the lover’s gemstone for its brilliance and strength. The indestructible diamond represents enduring love.
– Emerald – Believed to nurture love, enhance passion, and strengthen commitment through its verdant hue and healing properties.
– Garnet – This rich red gem represents true friendship and devotion between partners. Traditionally worn on the 2nd anniversary as the garnet marriage stone.
– Moonstone – Its opalescent sheen is said to sensitively attune to the feminine Moon cycles and loving goddess energies. Moonstone supports intimacy.
– Lapis Lazuli – Resembling a night sky, lapis lazuli symbolizes love as vast as the universe. It’s thought to stimulate wisdom, kindness and emotional closeness.
Lovebirds
Perhaps no animal has been more closely associated with romantic love than lovebirds. Known for forming monogamous pair bonds and frequent billing and grooming rituals, small parrot species in the Agapornis genus came to symbolize affection.
Giving a loved one a pair of lovebirds or lovebird figurines traditionally conveyed the wish for a deep, devoted relationship full of care and tenderness. Here are some fast facts about these famously amorous birds:
– There are 9 species of lovebird, mostly inhabiting Africa
– They are social, affectionate birds who mate for life
– Lovebirds require constant companionship and don’t do well alone
– Their pair bonds are reinforced through frequent preening and feeding each other
– When separated, lovebirds may pull out their own feathers in distress
– Lifespan is 15-20 years with proper care and a bonded mate
– Lovebirds are very vocal birds, communicating through chirps and whirrs
– In captivity, they can be taught to mimic some words and sounds
The loyal, vocal lovebird continues to make an endearing symbol of affection and lasting commitment for Valentine’s Day and wedding celebrations.
Love Token Jewelry Traditions
Exchanging jewelry, lockets, charms and other love tokens has long been a traditional way to solidify bonds and declare romantic intent. Here are some examples of historical love token jewelry practices:
– Acrostic Jewelry – Popular in the 18th century, rings or pendants featured a different gemstone to spell out a word like “dearest” or “admirer” using the first letter of each gem.
– Regard Rings – Heart-shaped rings with inscriptions like “Regard” or gem initials were used by Victorians to signal romantic interest during courtship.
– Ivy Rings – Circular ivory rings carved with ivy vines were worn by the ancient Romans to indicate the wearer was available to love.
– Gimmel Rings – These featured two or three interlocking bands worn separately by lovers, then joined to form one ring symbolizing unity.
– Posy Rings – Simple bands engraved with romantic sayings or floral designs were exchanged as tokens of love since medieval times.
– Lover’s Eye Miniatures – Portrait pendants featuring just the eye of a loved one were painted on ivory or gemstones in the Georgian era.
– Language of the Fan – Elaborate folding fans with floral patterns relayed secret messages between ladies and suitors in Victorian courtship.
Alternative symbols in modern LGBTQ+ culture
For LGBTQ+ couples and communities, rainbows, triangles and inverted pink or black triangles have become symbols of recognition, inclusion, and shared experiences of love.
– Rainbows – Rainbow flags and icons celebrate the spectrum of gender identities and sexual orientations united in the fight for equality.
– Pink Triangle – Reclaimed from its WWII roots, it now represents LGBTQ+ rights and memorializes past atrocities against the community.
– Black Triangle – A memorial symbol commemorating lesbians and feminists who were persecuted during the Holocaust.
– Green Carnation – Made popular by Oscar Wilde, it acknowledges covert LGBTQ+ spaces and relationships in intolerant times.
– Labrys – A double-headed axe used by ancient matriarchal societies, now linked to lesbian and feminist strength and empowerment.
– Lambda – Chosen by the Gay Activists Alliance in 1970, the Greek letter lambda signifies unity and relationships built by the LGBTQ+ community.
These inclusive symbols now appear widely on apparel, pins, flags and posters during Pride events and marches as LGBTQ+ people celebrate their identities and connect through shared experiences of love.
Conclusion
Love symbols have served as meaningful expressions of affection since the dawn of human civilization. Though the heart shape has become the predominant symbol today, many alternatives reflect how cultural values and artistic traditions conceptualize love. From ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs to Victorian fans relaying secret messages, symbols embed layers of meaning and convey love’s complexity. For LGBTQ+ couples, new emblems have emerged to champion hard-won rights and create a sense of community. Whether expressed through Celtic knots, roses, rainbow flags or clasped hands, symbols provide beautiful representation of love’s diverse forms.
