Throughout human history, the heart has held a place of profound symbolic importance in cultures, myths, and legends across the globe. Beyond its biological role as the center of circulation, the heart has come to represent love, courage, wisdom, and even the soul. Its depiction varies from culture to culture, yet certain themes—emotion, morality, and vitality—remain strikingly consistent. This article explores the role of the heart in ancient civilizations, religious texts, mythological symbolism, literary traditions, and modern interpretations.
The Heart in Ancient Civilizations
In ancient Egypt, the heart was considered the seat of intelligence, emotion, and memory. Egyptians believed that the heart, not the brain, was the core of a person’s being. This belief was so central that during the mummification process, the heart was preserved while the brain was discarded. The Book of the Dead describes how the heart would be weighed against the feather of Ma’at, the goddess of truth and justice. A heavy heart, burdened by sin, would be devoured by the demon Ammit, while a balanced heart would grant the deceased passage to the afterlife.
In Mesoamerican cultures like the Aztecs, the heart also held spiritual significance. Human sacrifices were often performed to appease gods such as Huitzilopochtli, the sun god. Victims’ hearts were extracted while still beating, offered as a gift of life and vitality. This grisly act was rooted in the belief that the gods required human energy to maintain cosmic balance.
Similarly, in ancient Chinese philosophy, the heart—or “xin”—was thought to be the center of thought and moral virtue. It was not merely a physical organ but a spiritual compass. Confucian texts emphasized cultivating the heart to achieve moral righteousness, suggesting a unity of emotion, will, and ethical behavior.
Symbolism of the Heart in Religious Texts
The heart holds deep religious symbolism across many faiths. In Christianity, it is associated with divine love and compassion. The Sacred Heart of Jesus, often depicted as a flaming heart encircled by thorns, represents Christ’s unending love and suffering for humanity. Saints and mystics have frequently referred to the heart as the dwelling place of God and a site of spiritual communion.
In Islam, the heart (qalb) is considered the seat of spiritual insight and sincerity. The Quran frequently references the heart as a vessel of understanding and faith. A “sound heart” is one purified from pride and sin, a heart that can receive divine guidance. Sufism, the mystical branch of Islam, emphasizes the heart as a mirror reflecting the divine, capable of being polished through devotion and remembrance (dhikr).
In Hinduism, the heart chakra—Anahata—is one of the seven energy centers in the body. Located in the center of the chest, it represents love, compassion, and emotional balance. Opening the heart chakra is seen as essential for spiritual growth and enlightenment, aligning the physical with the spiritual self.
Mythical and Legendary Representations
Legends and folklore from around the world abound with references to the heart, often imbuing it with magical or sacred properties. In European medieval lore, knights were said to be guided by their hearts in quests for honor and virtue. The “heart of a lion” was a common expression denoting bravery and valor. Tales like that of King Richard the Lionheart exemplify how the heart symbolized not just emotion but moral fortitude.
In Celtic mythology, the heart was tied to the soul and the land. Sacred trees and stones were believed to contain the “heart” of the earth, linking nature and human vitality. The Claddagh ring, with its design of two hands holding a heart topped by a crown, symbolizes love, loyalty, and friendship—values deeply embedded in Irish cultural identity.
In Japanese folklore, the heart is often represented in the concept of “kokoro,” a word that means heart, mind, and spirit all at once. Kokoro reflects the deep emotional core of a person, influencing decisions and relationships. It appears in countless haikus, parables, and ghost stories, often conveying the unseen emotional currents beneath the surface of everyday life.
The Heart in Literature and Popular Culture
Writers and poets have long used the heart as a symbol of human emotion. From Shakespeare’s “my heart is wondrous light” to Emily Dickinson’s line “the heart wants what it wants,” literature has repeatedly returned to the heart as a metaphor for desire, pain, and moral conflict. Romanticism in the 18th and 19th centuries elevated the heart as the ultimate source of authenticity and creative inspiration.
In modern media, the heart remains a ubiquitous symbol. Whether it’s the red heart emoji used in text messages or the heart-shaped box of chocolates on Valentine’s Day, popular culture continues to draw from age-old associations. Films, songs, and novels repeatedly explore themes of heartbreak, heartache, and heartfelt love. The idea of “following your heart” has become a cultural mantra, reinforcing the notion of the heart as the ultimate guide in personal decision-making.
Contemporary Interpretations and Scientific Insight
While traditional views often placed emotion and morality in the heart, modern science locates these functions in the brain. Nevertheless, contemporary research in fields like neurocardiology has revealed surprising links between the heart and emotional well-being. The heart has its own intrinsic nervous system, sometimes called the “heart-brain,” which can influence mood and stress responses. Practices like mindfulness and meditation, which emphasize heart-centered awareness, have been shown to reduce anxiety and improve mental health.
Heart imagery also plays a significant role in psychology and therapy. Techniques such as heart-focused breathing and heart coherence training aim to align heart rhythms with emotional states, helping individuals access calm and clarity. The symbolic and literal importance of the heart continues to converge, bridging the gap between myth and medicine.
