Lela was making cupcakes this morning and one of them came out looking like a heart (the actual organ) and then we thought of how did the heart we associate with love get it’s shape.

Where does the shape of a heart come from and how do we associate it with Love

Here are a few ideas…

Idea #1 Ancient North African Orgin

During the seventh century B.C., the city-state of Cyrene* had a lucrative trade in a rare, now-extinct plant: silphium. Although it was mostly used for seasoning, silphium was reputed to have an off-label use as a form of birth control. The silphium was so important to Cyrene’s economy that coins were minted that depicted the plant’s seedpod (shown to the right), which looks like the heart shape we know today. The theory goes that the heart shape first became associated with sex, and eventually, with love. I seem to like this idea more then the other two.

Idea #2 Catholic Church Orgin

The Catholic Church contends that the modern heart shape did not come along until the 17th century, when Saint Margaret Mary Alocoque had a vision of it surrounded by thorns. This symbol became known as the Sacred Heart of Jesus and was associated with love and devotion; it began popping up often in stained-glass windows and other church iconography. But while the Sacred Heart may have popularized the shape, most scholars agree that it existed much earlier than the 1600s.

Idea #3 The Less Romantic Orgin

Some claim that the modern heart-shape simply came from botched attempts to draw an actual human heart, the organ which the ancients, including Aristotle, believed contained all human passions. One leading scholar of heart iconography claims that the philosopher’s physiologically inaccurate description of the human heart—as a three-chambered organ with a rounded top and pointy bottom—may have inspired medieval artists to create what we now know as the heart 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.

Information borrowed from Slate.com

Whether you have limited experience with relationships or a lot of relationships gone bad to look back upon, there are some things you can do to make sure that you have a happy and successful long-term relationship. A fulfilling relationship is a beautiful thing that requires some hard work from both parties if you want someone to love and share your life with. What follows are some tips and suggestions for maintaining a successful long-term relationship.

Communication

Every great relationship requires solid and effective communication. It is of the utmost importance that you feel open to share your thoughts and feelings with your partner, no matter how complex they may be. By now, you may have learned your partner’s boundaries when it comes to topics of discussion. Sometimes, we also need others to talk to about certain things, and this is okay and part of trust in a relationship.

Trust

You must be willing to trust your partner, and this may be very difficult depending on your past experiences. Trust for some is like a leap of faith; for others, trust is something that comes naturally to them. For others still, trust is something that waxes and wanes within them depending on their emotional state. Trust is one of the ultimate expressions of love, and you need to be able to do this fully in order for things to truly move forward in your long-term relationship.

Feel it Out

The first few months of any relationship are usually quite magical. After a few months, things seem to change and let up a bit, but the strong feelings are generally still there. If you begin to notice that some of these feelings aren’t quite as strong, think back to things that you did together and what made you feel so great when you were with this person. Try and learn to look through both sets of eyes and recapture the feeling of newness through your actions and watch your relationship blossom.

Space

Every relationship needs to have a little bit of space as well. It is not advisable to spend every waking moment with the one you love at first; you’ll have plenty of time for that after you retire. Keep the phrase “absence makes the heart grow fonder” in mind and make sure that you continue to do the things you love as well. Healthy relationships involve two people who are committed to each other, as well as themselves. You must both be individuals that complement each other, not complete each other.

Encouragement and Support

Whatever you do in your long-term relationship, make sure that you show your love through support and encouragement. These are very important aspects of successful relationships. Your partner should know that you are there for them and vice-versa. A lasting relationship is of love, support, communication, and trust.

~ This post was contributed by Holly McCarthy, who writes on the subject of dating websites. She invites your feedback at hollymccarthy12 at gmail dot com