Dr Philip Jamieson (with Marianne Schmidt)
Feature image by Oliver Peters from Pixabay
This is the original version of the paper that Marianne and I wrote considering the ancient origins of the classic heart symbol published with some editorial changes in Ancient Origins on 27 October 2025 under the title, Tracing the Ancient Spiritual Journey of the World’s Most Popular Emoji. The paper as published is available at https://www.ancient-origins.net/tracing-ancient-spiritual-journey-worlds-most-popular-emoji-00102251
On World Emoji Day 2025, the classic red love heart was identified as the most popular emoji used by the global online community. One of the most well recognised symbols on the planet today, it is commonly associated with love and romance. This association is normally identified as developing only from the 13th century. There are however some ancient representations of the now classic heart shape that appear not only to share at least some relationship with the modern image, but that we believe may ultimately link to a profound spiritual truth.
Sexual association
The heart shape is found in antiquity most commonly depicting various seeds, leaves and other botanical forms with which it has a close visual appearance. One commonly referenced example is the heart-shaped seed of the silphium plant. Alkaloid substances in its seed were effective in ancient Greece and Rome as both a contraceptive and aphrodisiac, with the suggestion that this association with sex may have been a foundation for the heart shape’s later romantic association.
An association of the heart symbol with sex may actually be of far more ancient origin. Palaeolithic rock art from central Sahara includes examples of what have been described as a “simple heart-like sign” (similar in styling to the modern heart symbol) which are thought associated with an erotic (or sexual) meaning.
Anatomical inspirations?
The shapes of various aspects of female and male anatomy resembling the heart symbol have also been suggested as providing its foundation.
One such anatomical relationship is the similarity of the heart shape to the heart-shaped pelvis (more prominent in males). Marianne also points to the energetic association of the pelvic girdle with the Sacral chakra, the location of both the female and male reproductive organs, the ovaries and womb in women and the testes in men. The Sacral chakra is connected with fertility, the creative impulse and emotions such as joy, care and love.
Inner Scribe 