When you think of symbols of love and passion, what comes to your mind? A rose? A heart? While these symbols are iconic, they’re not the only ones. There are a wide variety of symbols that can represent love and passion.
Each symbol has its unique meaning, and it’s essential to understand these meanings to send a clear message with your choice of symbol. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most popular symbols of passion and love and their meanings.
Symbols of Passion are: Hearts, Cupid, Roses, Iris Flowers, Marigold Flower, Lily Flower, Daisies, Celtic Love Knot, Swans, Shells, Apples, and The Claddagh Ring.
Table of Contents
1. Hearts
Hearts have been used for centuries[2] to represent love and passion. There are countless examples of this, from the red hearts that adorn Valentine’s Day cards to the heart-shaped lockets that have been popular for years.
The use of hearts as a symbol of love can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome. The Greeks believed that the heart was the center of human emotion, and they often used images of hearts to express affection.
The Romans took this one step further by using the heart as a symbol of Cupid, the god of love. These days, hearts remain one of the most popular symbols of passion and love. They’re a simple way to show how you feel without saying a word.
2. Cupid
Nita Knott via pixy.org
Cupid[3] is perhaps the most well-known symbol of love and passion. He is often depicted as a young boy with wings, carrying a bow and arrows.
The origins of Cupid are Roman. He was the son of Mercury, the messenger god, and Venus, the goddess of love. In Roman mythology, Cupid was responsible for making people fall in love. He would shoot his arrows at them, and they would be filled with either desire or aversion, depending on his mood.
Cupid is often used as a symbol of love and desire, but he can also be used to represent passion and lust. If you’re looking to add a bit of spice to your relationship, consider using a Cupid-themed gift or decoration.
3. Roses
Carla Nunziata, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Roses[4] are perhaps the most popular flowers worldwide and have been associated with love and passion for centuries. Roses come in a variety of colors, each with its unique meaning. For example, red roses express love and desire, while white roses are often a sign of purity or a sympathy gesture.
Moreover, the intensity of the rose’s color is significant. For instance, deep red roses represent commitment and the desire for a long-lasting relationship. While light-colored red roses symbolize passion and love.
You can’t go wrong with roses, they can say “I love you” or “I’m sorry” more eloquently than words ever could. Plus, no matter how many times you give a rose to someone, it always feels like the first time.
4. Iris Flower
Image by Elsa Mayfair from Pixabay
Another symbol of love and passion is the Iris flower[5]. This unique, striking flower has a lot of meanings across different cultures.
For instance, according to Ancient Egyptians, the flower is highly regarded as a symbol of power, majesty, and faith. According to Greek mythology, the flower was named after Iris, the goddess of the rainbow.
While different Iris colors symbolize various things, yellow Iris is well known to symbolize passion and love. Also, the pink Iris resembles love and romance. Owing to that, a bouquet of yellow and pink Iris would make the perfect gift for your partner to express your love and affection.
5. Marigold Flower
Sonamis Paul via Pixabay
Also known as the herb of the sun, the Marigold flower[6] symbolizes passion, creativity, love, optimism, and good luck.
For centuries, Marigolds were weaved together into garlands for weddings to use as a love charm. To this day, Marigolds make a great addition to your bouquet to gift your loved ones. It would be best if you make a collection of different Marigold colors.
Red Marigolds express love and romance, and orange ones convey deep feelings and passion. Finally, add some yellow Marigolds as they express happiness, good luck, and optimism.
6. Lily Flower
Image by Eleonora Sky from Pexels
Lily flowers[7] are one of the best flowers to gift on special occasions. Besides, they have significance in Christianity, Greek and Roman mythology.
According to Christianity, the flower is a symbol of purity and chastity. It’s also associated with Virgin Mary. While in Roman mythology, the goddess of beauty (Venus) was jealous of the white color of lilies to the point that she caused pistils to grow from its center.
Like most flowers, different lily colors convey different messages. For example, white lilies symbolize purity and virtue, red lilies represent passion and love. Yellow lilies express thankfulness and desire.
7. Daisies
I, Jonathan Zander, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Daisies[8] have different meanings, including love, passion, innocence, and purity. According to Greek mythology, it’s said that they were created from the spilled milk of the goddess Hera.
For centuries, daisies have been used as a traditional symbol of love and purity – making them the perfect addition to bouquets of wildflowers or even a single stem.
These days, people use daisies to convey hope and happiness due to their bright colors and cheerful appearance. They can also represent joy and new beginnings, which makes them ideal for weddings or new baby names.
Because they come in many different colors, daisies make excellent birthday gifts with a special meaning attached – red for passion, yellow for friendship, and white for peace and harmony.
8. Celtic Love Knot
AnonMoos ; Erin Silversmith, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
One of the most famous symbols of passion and love is the Celtic love knot[9]. The interlocking pattern symbolizes the strong bond between two lovers.
In Celtic mythology, Celtics used to exchange love knots just as people do with modern-day wedding rings. To this day, many still use the Celtic knot design in tattoos, jewelry, and logos to express love and passion.
9. Swans
Swans[10] hold significance in multiple cultures and religions. For instance, in Celtic symbolism, swans define the great healing power of the sun. In Christianity, swans represent purity, grace, and the love of god.
Furthermore, when swans mate, they twirl their necks together forming a heart shape. That scene symbolizes love, passion, and romance according to many cultures.
You can still see the swan symbols in many contemporary weddings and ceremonies celebrating love. The bride and groom’s first dance together is often described as “their swan song.” That means the music they dance to will forever be a reminder of their love and passion.
In addition, swans can also be symbols of transformation – a couple who embraces each other’s differences is like two swans coming together to form one beautiful image.
This idea of uniting two separate entities into one is powerful and romantic, making swans a beloved representation of lasting love.
10. Shells
When it comes to symbols of love and passion, shells[11] are up there. You can find them in many shapes and sizes, and each one has its unique meaning.
For example, a conch shell is a symbol of faithful love. Gifting a conch shell to your partner is a token of appreciation. It’s a sign of endless love and passion.
Other shells can represent different aspects of love and passion. The clamshell, for example, is a symbol of strong relationships. While the whelk shell represents the cycle of life and rebirth.
11. Apples
Photo by PIXNIO
There is no other fruit relating to love and passion as the apple[12]. In addition, the apple has been a symbol of temptation for centuries.
In Roman, Greek mythology, and Christianity, apples have massive significance. For instance, in Greek mythology, Dionysus gifted Aphrodite apples to win her heart. For that reason, the apple is considered the fruit of love.
According to Roman mythology, the goddess Venus is always portrayed with an apple to express love, passion, and desire.
There are many myths and legends in which apples have different meanings, but at its core, the apple is a sign of love and passion.
12. The Claddagh Ring
Mégane Percier via Pixabay
The Claddagh ring[13] is another popular item associated with love and commitment. It consists of two hands, a crown, and a heart, which symbolize friendship, loyalty, and love respectively.
The hands represent friendship and signify the bond between two people. The crown signifies loyalty, loyalty not only to the person wearing the ring but also to the relationship itself. Lastly, the heart symbolizes love and passion. It also symbolizes an unconditional love that will never fade away.
It’s interesting to note that the Claddagh ring originated in Ireland. The Irish used to exchange it as a gift of love. The design of the Claddagh Ring was passed down through generations and couples still use it as a way to express their true feelings for each other.
To Sum Up
When it comes to love and passion, we all have our unique symbols that represent these intense feelings. Some of these symbols are universal, while others are more personal.
No matter what your symbols are, they hold a lot of meaning for you. They remind you of the passion and love you’ve felt in the past, and they give you hope for the future.
We hope our list helped you understand more about symbols of passion and love. So next time you’re gifting your partner a cupid or heart-themed gift, make sure you tell him more about the meanings behind these symbols. That will definitely make your gift more meaningful.
Resources:
- https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/magazine-20-romantic-symbols-of-love-and-their-meanings/
- https://www.artandobject.com/news/history-heart-shape#:~:text=Widely%20recognized%20as%20a%20symbol,shape%20has%20evolved%20over%20centuries.
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/Cupid
- https://www.bloomandwild.com/the-meaning-of-roses
- https://www.ftd.com/blog/share/iris-meaning-and-symbolism#:~:text=Yellow%20irises%20symbolize%20passion.,White%20irises%20symbolize%20purity.
- https://www.petalrepublic.com/marigold-flower-meaning/
- https://www.bloomandwild.com/lily-flower-meaning
- https://www.gardenguides.com/12349013-meaning-of-gerbera-daisy-colors.html
- https://www.shanore.com/blog/the-celtic-love-knot-history-and-romantic-meaning/#:~:text=The%20Celtic%20love%20knot%20consists,way%20couples%20use%20rings%20today.
- https://www.atshq.org/swan-symbolism/#:~:text=Spotting%20two%20swans%20together%20is,between%20two%20people%20in%20love.
- https://symbolismandmetaphor.com/seashell-symbolism-meaning/
- https://discover.hubpages.com/religion-philosophy/The-Apple-A-Symbol-of-Love
- https://www.claddaghrings.com/the-meaning-and-origin-of-the-claddagh-ring/#:~:text=The%20Claddagh%20ring%20