With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I am intrigued to find out why the heart shape is so common for this holiday.

We all know what the shape stands for – Love.

Do we know where it came from?

Who came up with it?

When was it created and why?

I decided to do a little research to find out.

From my research, I have found that there are a few interesting theories as to the actual origin of the heart shape

Modeled after an actual heart
This theory is actually a pretty well known one. The theory says that the modern drawing of a heart is actually modeled after the actual human heart because the ancients, including Aristotle, and even some today, believe that the heart contains all human passions. However, the traditional heart shape as drawn has very little resemblance to an actual human heart. The drawing more closely matches that of a cattle heart, which was more readily available in sight in past centuries, meaning they modeled it after a cattle heart. However, the resemblance to the cattle heart is still very slight. It's also said that the drawing of a modern heart possibly originated because of botched drawings of the human heart by medieval artists after a philosopher inaccurately described the shape. The medieval tradition of courtly love may have reinforced the shape's association with romance. Hearts can be found on playing cards, tapestries, and paintings.

Derived from a seed
A last theory is that the traditional heart came was derived from the plant seed of the Silphium plant. This now extinct (for over two millennia) North African plant was found in the ancient city of Cyrene during the seventh century BC. The plant was most commonly used as seasonings, but was also widely used as a contraceptive in ancient Egypt. Because of its importance to their economy, they depicted the shape of the seed on their coins. The seeds were distinctly heart-shaped. It is said that because of the use of the plant as a contraceptive, the shape of the seeds became associated with sexuality and eventually with romantic love.

Depicts the body
Some claim that the round, soft edges of the heart represent fertility or a female body. Since a Valentine is all about love, it is a reasonable suggestion. Visualizing the heart as a depiction of the pubic mound stirs some interesting comparisons. Some say it resembles the vulva. Others draw the resemblance to the Tantric Hindu yoni.

However, turn the heart upside down and it becomes a particularly intriguing symbol. Now the heart looks like a pair of plump, dangling breasts. The heart also compares favorably to the female buttocks. Once again, with the heart turned upside down, and the point extending towards the vulva, the comparison is interesting.

The upside down heart also compares favorably to the male genitalia with two testicles and a pointed penis. Others have suggested the heart image looks like the tip of the penis.

The use of an arrow to pierce the heart has strong male overtones, suggesting the heart as female and arrow as male. Furthermore, the traditional male and female suggests an accurate comparison. The male symbol has an arrow point, just as Cupid's arrow. The female symbol is rounded at the top and narrows to the bottom, just as the heart.

The comparisons between the heart and human body are numerous. It is amazing that such an endearing image has so many possible erotic connections. Perhaps that is why it has endured for so long as such a powerful and connotative symbol.

These theories are presented on http://www.romancestuck.com/articles/general/history-of-heart-shape.htm and http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/566583/origins_of_the_valentine... .