Love Symbols

Love is a beautiful thing... Many people when in love, offer symbols of love to their partner to express their love. There are many ways to express love to someone, symbols can often help people to express their love. Through the ages there are some love symbols that have stood the test of time. Take for example the heart, this symbol has been around for a very long time.

Love symbols can also be symbols that are not widely known today as love symbols. If for example you want to be in love, you can place a symbol near you that helps you focus on attracting love in your life. You can meditate with this symbol in mind, and it will help you attract the love that you want.

Love symbols take us on a fun ride of expressing ourselves, when you give out a symbol of love, you are expressing deep emotions. These emotions are often more easily expressed by using love symbols. In a way love symbols help us more easily express how we feel about other people.

Here are some of the most popular Love Symbols.

Heart - When people think of love, the first symbol that comes to mind is most probably the heart. It has been around for years as a symbol of love. The heart can be given to people through boxes of candy shaped like hearts, printed on cards, and even on tattoos. The heart has long been used as a symbol to refer to the spiritual, emotional, moral, and in the past also intellectual core of a human being.

Roses - Roses have been long used as symbols in a number of societies. Roses are ancient symbols of love and beauty. Rose means pink or red in a variety of languages (such as Romance languages, Greek, and Polish). The rose was sacred to a number of goddesses (including Isis and Aphrodite), and is often used as a symbol of the Virgin Mary. The ancient Greeks and Romans identified the rose with their goddesses of love, Aphrodite and Venus. In Rome a wild rose would be placed on the door of a room where secret or confidential matters were discussed. Early Christians identified the five petals of the rose with the five wounds of Christ. Despite this interpretation, their leaders were hesitant to adopt it because of its association with Roman excesses and pagan ritual. The red rose was eventually adopted as a symbol of the blood of the Christian martyrs. Roses also later came to be associated with the Virgin Mary.

Ribbons, Laces, and Frills - Ribbons and frills have long been associated with romance since the days of knighthood when a knight rode into battle with a ribbon or scarf given him by his fair lady. The dictionary states that the word "Lace" comes from a Latin word meaning to "snare" or "noose". Hundred of years ago, women dropped her laced handkerchief in hopes that a man picked it up and gave it to her. This would mean that the man was interested in her. The woman would do this to attract his attention to encourage romance. Boxes of chocolate and valentine cards are also decorated with lace.

Cupid - In Roman mythology, Cupid is the god of desire, affection and erotic love. He is the son of goddess Venus and god Mars. In popular culture, Cupid is frequently shown shooting his bow to inspire romantic love, often as an icon of Valentine's Day. He is now in the current culture the personification of love and courtship in general. In the Roman version, Cupid was the son of Venus (goddess of love) and Mars. In the Greek version he was named Eros and seen as one of the primordial gods (though other myths exist as well). Cupid was often depicted with wings, a bow, and a quiver of arrows.

Hands - Clasped hands represent those of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and were symbols of the friendship between their countries of Germany and England. Years ago, when a man proposed marriage to a woman, he asked for her hand. The hand then became a symbol of marriage and love.

Doves and pigeons mate for life and therefore were used as a symbol of "fidelity."

Maple Leaf - In China and Japan the Maple Leaf is a well known emblem of lovers. North American settlers used to place the maple leaves at the foot of their beds to ward off demons and encourage sexual pleasure as well as peaceful sleep. Also in the North American region, the stork can be observed weaving maple branches in nests - hence, the maple became a symbol of the love found in welcoming a new child in the home. Just as the sweet rich sap produces maple syrup so too does the maple leaf serve as a love symbol as the maple leaf depicts the sweetness and wonder of love in every day life.

Apple - In early Greek history, the apple was prominent in courtship as well as the rites and customs of marriage. A happy couple in the seventh century B.C. might share an apple as a symbol of their marriage and hopes for a fruitful relationship.

The Swan - The Swan holds a number of different representations including love, grace, purity, beauty and sincerity. The Swan is another symbol of the Virgin Mary and represents her purity and love.

The Harp - The Harp is a well known symbol of love in the form of lyrical art, poetry, and music. Long ago King David played the harp to the Lord, to express his devotion and love.

Resources:
Jewelry for Love - By the artist David Weitzman