Since Valentine’s Day is coming up next month, and retailers are already preparing for the “Love is in air” season, I wondered how the heart shape became such a classic and iconic symbol of friendship, affection, devotion and most importantly love. In modern times, we use it on social media to express we “Love” not just “Like” a Post, Story, or Reel. Heart shaped hand gestures are widely used in artwork, photography and music videos or may be your Mom’s favorite emoji when she “Love’s” your text…it sure is mine. Let’s take a sneak peek at the symbolism of the heart shape in history and the tradition leading to heart-shaped jewelry.
Hope you find this as interesting as I did!
Heart – Shaped Jewelry Through History
The heart symbol throughout history has represented romance and first was illustrated in the 13th century poetic romance manuscript by Thibaut, “Roman de la Poire” (Romance of the Pear). The French Medieval manuscripts art depicted a kneeling man is a Doux Regard ("Sweet Look") handing a woman the “lover's heart”. It was shaped more like an upside down pinecone, but this is most likely the earliest known portrayal of the human heart in a symbolic way representing "romantic love”.
Over the next few centuries, it has transformed into the heart symbol we know today. Around the 14th or 15th century, heart-shaped jewelry was considered to have made its debut with short love poems inscribed on the surface of rings and brooches.
By the 16th century, heart-shaped jewelry became very popular. Men expressed their love and affection by presenting women with intertwined and double heart lockets. This was the period of chivalry and romantic love courting.
In the 17th century, the heart symbol was used in the rise of witchcraft. The “Witches Heart” or “Luckenbooth” was a twisted heart brooch. These brooches were used as a talisman to ward off evil spirits.
By the 18th century, the twisted heart took on a new meaning. It represented, “bewitched by love” and a double heart signified a couple was in a committed relationship. The popular engagement style jewelry featured gem-encrusted double hearts set side by side, meaning “bound together”.
Also in the 18th century, a ring called the "Fede Gimmel" was very popular. The ring had two hands clasped together that swiveled open to reveal one or two hearts and was given as an engagement ring. Other jewelry during this time period consisted of a heart with a flame on top, which meant “Burning with Passion” or devotion or religious love. The Irish Claddagh ring which displayed two hands holding one heart meant, “I hold your heart in my hand”.
The rise of heart-shaped padlocks or lockets was also popular during this period. Lockets were a way to lock away a memory of a loved one and keep it close to them. A fun fact, fashionable gemstones during this time, included ruby, emerald, garnet, amethyst, ruby and diamonds, which have initial letters that spell “REGARD”.
Heart-shaped jewelry reached its peak during the reign of Queen Victoria in the 19th century. Her bracelet with charmed hearts supposedly representing each of her children brought heart-shaped jewelry to the public eye. The style became very popular, and 19th century fashionistas followed the Queen’s style and soon started wearing jewelry with charms and hearts.
In the 20th century, the heart-shaped jewelry that King Edward VIII gifted to his wife, Wallis Simpson on their 20th Anniversary was synonymous with the love story between the two of them. He gave her an emerald, ruby and diamond brooch, by Cartier Paris, in 1957 that featured a crown on top of the heart-shaped brooch. Another fun fact, King Edward had to abdicate the thrown to be with his wife since the Church of England would not allow Simpson to become queen due to the circumstances of her prior divorce here in the states. King Edward VIII always regretted that his wife was never bestowed as Her Royal Highness due to the Church of England's objection of their marriage, so the crown symbolized her regal status in his eyes.
Heart-shaped jewelry is timeless. It still represents strong love and affection in modern day, it's given as gifts for Valentine’s Day or just to say, I love you. In today’s fashion trends though, heart-shaped jewelry can fit any occasion. Necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings all incorporate hearts in varying gemstones, metals, materials, and trendy styles.
Check out our You Have My Heart Collection for your heart inspired Jewelz!
