Tracing the relationship between the heart and love has led me down paths I never anticipated: how philosophers and physicians have approached the functions of the heart; how, at times, the heart was buried separately from the body; and how both Catholics and Protestants have utilized the heart for religious purposes. It is evident that the myriad ways in which authors and artists across diverse cultures have discussed and depicted the heart constitute a subject far too vast for any single individual to fully explore within a lifetime. Nevertheless, a curated selection of these themes brings us closer to that enigmatic, multifaceted phenomenon we encapsulate within the single word: "love."
It comes as no surprise that the heart is inextricably linked to love. Indeed, anyone who has ever loved knows that their heart beats faster the moment their eyes alight upon the person who shines brightest in their romantic imagination. Conversely, should they—through some cruel twist of fate—lose that person, they feel a physical ache in their chest. "My heart feels heavy," or "My heart is broken"—these are the phrases we utter when love turns against us.
For how long has the heart been associated with love? When did the iconic heart symbol first emerge? How did it spread across the globe? What does it reveal to us about the meaning of love across different eras and cultures? How have various religions engaged with the loving heart? These are some of the questions I endeavor to answer in this book.