Symbols of love are emblems or organisms that represent love. You may feel the love radiating from these symbols after you learn their meaning.
The True Definition of Love
The definition of love is “a passionate affection for another person.” This could be a feeling of warmth that one would feel for a friend or family member. It could be a strong desire for someone.
But more often than not, love is a selfless inclination to want what is best for someone that you care for.
Types of Love
There is a theory that there are different types of love. These seven loves are each represented by a Greek god or goddess.
Romantic Love – Eros
Eros represents a love that is passionate and lustful. This love can be shared with a stranger or a spouse. In Ancient Greece, this love was feared as it could be dangerous. Now, it’s encouraged as part of adult life.
Friendly Love – Philia
Friendly love is represented by Philia. This love is one that you choose to share with people who were once strangers to you. It is platonic and built for people that you grow fond of.
Family Love – Storge
Familial love is unconditional. It’s about standing by your loved ones through thick and thin. This is the type of love you feel for your family members.
Universal Love – Agape
Universal love is love that you feel for all living things. This love should be shared with mankind, animals, and your god. It is based on compassion and selfless nature.
Committed Love – Pragma
The word “Pragma” may remind you of the word “pragmatic,” which describes this love well. Committed love means love that is in it for the long term, as made clear by the vows of marriage or life-long friendships.
Puppy Dog Love – Ludus
Ludus represents the type of love one feels when they have a crush. This short-term, playful love happens multiple times in our lives and is healthy in small amounts.
Self Love – Philautia
For centuries, it has been said that to truly love others, you must learn to love yourself. The goddess Philautia represents this self-love. She should not outshine the other loves, but should be a healthy part of your “love life.”
A Key and Symbols of Love
A key is often associated with love. It represents a symbol that can unlock someone else’s lock.
Flower Symbols of Love
- Rose – represents passionate love.
- Tulip – represents perfect love.
- Carnation – represents love you’re thankful for.
- Sunflower – represents adoring love.
- Daisy – represents innocent love.
What Color Symbolizes Love?
Red is the color that symbolizes love. Though it can be negative when associated with aggression, blood, and war, the positive trait is love. Other colors can represent types of love, but red always comes out on top as the color that symbolizes love.
20 Symbols of Love
1. Chinese Symbol of Love – Ducks
It was long believed that Mandarin ducks mated for life. This is why in China, the Mandarin duck symbolizes lifelong love.
2. Korean Symbol for Love – Finger Heart
This new symbol of love is believed to be created by actress Kim Hye-soo and popularized by BTS. It can be shown by creating a heart with your forefinger and thumb.
3. Japanese Symbol of Love – Maple Leaf
Japan has many symbols of love, including the Kanji for “ai,” which appears on t-shirts and jewelry worldwide. But a rarer symbol of love in Japan is the maple leaf, which has many stories and folklore behind its meaning.
4. Viking Symbol of Love – Cats
In Norse mythology, cats represent Freya. Though she’s the goddess of war, she also represents love and desire. She loved cats, having a pair that Thor gave her to pull her chariot.
5. Slavic Symbol for Love – Zhiva
Zhiva represents fertility, love, and marriage. The simple symbol is ancient, easy to replicate, and still in circulation today.
6. Greek Symbol of Love – Apple
The apple has long been a symbol of love. It was revered in Ancient Greece as a symbol connected to Aphrodite.
7. Celtic Symbol of Love – Claddagh
The Claddagh is an Irish symbol. The symbol is two hands holding a heart. On top of the heart is a crown. Another Celtic symbol for love is the love knot.
8. Lakota Sioux Symbol for Love – Medicine Wheel
The Medicine Wheel has four sections. One section represents love. The seven arrows on the symbol are similar to the seven chakras.
9. Buddhist Symbol of Love – Anahata
One Buddhist symbol of love is Anahata, which represents the fourth primary chakra. This charka is the heart chakra.
10. Asian Symbol of Love – Ladybug
In many Asian cultures, the ladybug represents luck and love. The true origins of this are unknown, but the tales have spread worldwide.
11. Egyptian Symbol of Love – The Eye of Ra
The Eye of Ra symbolizes power and fury. But this is often turned into passion and desire. It is not a representation of any of the other seven loves, only the passionate one.
12. Roman Symbol for Love – Cupid
The Roman god of love is Cupid, which is similar to the Greek god Eros. The type of love associated with Cupid is romantic and/or lustful love.
13. West African Symbol of Love – Osram Ne Nsoromma
Osram Ne Nsoromma means “moon and star.” It symbolizes love and the faithfulness of marriage.
14. Victorian Symbol of Love – Hands
The Victorian fascination with clasped hands was due to the loyalty and fidelity it once represented. The hands are often marriage hands or simply hands of friendship.
15. Indian Symbol for love – Jasmine
Jasmine is an Indian symbol of love, beauty, and purity. The flowers are small, white, and modest, yet give off an incredible scent.
16. Native American Symbol of Love – Kokopelli
In some Native American cultures, Kokopelli is seen as a fertility deity. He often takes part in marriage rituals.
17. Hopi Symbol of Love – Mongko
In Hopi law, Mongko represents love and harmony. It represents the highest spiritual power, often depicted with horns, wood, feathers, and corn.
18. Chrisitan Symbol for Love – Dove
The dove has represented peace, love, and God’s promises since before Jesus. It is still an important emblem in Christianity.
19. Ancient Symbol of Love – Rose
The rose is an ancient symbol of love across many cultures. Though other roses represent love, the red rose is the primary symbol for it.
20. Taino Symbol of Love – Eternal Lovers
In Taino culture, a Puerto Rican native culture, two birds represent eternal lovers. They represent love and respect for all living things.
