[Greek] καρδία (kardia), [Latin] cor: heart, spirit, soul, mind; 132 scriptural references
The kneeling lover offers his affection to the damsel from the bottom of his “heart”. (1250’s) The pine cone represented the heart. The point of the pine cone represents the bottom of the heart.
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: The heart is primarily viewed in a literal or physiological sense. The figurative sense of the heart, although used infrequently, is utilized by the poets. Poets present the heart as the seat of emotions, passions, anger, courage, fear, joy, or sadness. Most of the philosophical schools viewed the heart in a literal sense. However, the Stoics, who held virtue as the highest good, viewed the heart as the seat of reason, feeling, will, and intellect.
Sophocles’ Antigone 88: “Ah, it is a struggle, but I depart from my heart’s resolve and obey.”
Aristophanes’ Clouds 1391: “I fancy the hearts of the youth are panting to hear what he will say.”
Euripides’ Iphigenia in Aulis 475: “I swear to tell you the truth from my heart, without any covert purpose, but only what I think.”
Euripides’ Medea 99: “Your mother is stirring up her feelings, stirring up anger.”
Homer’s Iliad 2.452: “And in their heart of each man she roused strength to war and to battle without ceasing.”
Old Testament: This term is predominately depicted in the figurative sense. The heart, considered the innermost part of the person, involves the emotional, mental, and spiritual faculties. The heart stands firm in bravery and courage. The heart is the seat of rational functions, given by God. Planning, volition, and the will come from the heart. Religious and moral conduct are rooted in the heart, which allows one to serve God. The heart accepts the divine teachings.
New Testament: The New Testament, continuing the Old Testament’s understanding of the heart, more strongly identifies the heart as the main source of psychological and spiritual life. The heart is the place in man where God bears witness to Himself. In the heart dwells feelings, emotions, desires, and passions. The heart is the seat of understanding, thought, reflection, the will, and resolve. The heart is also the center in man where God turns, where religious life is rooted, and where moral conduct is determined. I really don’t have the heart to inundate you with 132 scriptures about the heart! That would be heartless of me.☺☺☺
Heart: a symbol of romantic love: The first known depiction of the heart as a symbol of romantic love dates back to the 1250’s. This is depicted in a image of a kneeling lover offering his “heart” to a damsel. The pine cone anatomically represented the heart in terms of current medieval scientific understanding. The kneeling lover offers the pine cone. The point of the pine cone represents the bottom of the heart. So, the kneeling lover offers his affection from “the bottom of his heart”.
Conclusion:
Cardiac, courageous, cordial, accord
It is interesting to discover how the Greek Hellenistic period (literal sense) and the Old Testament period (figurative sense) each had a different focus on the heart. But Greek literature begins to speak about the heart. Then the New Testament period takes the meaning of the heart to another new level.
It is also interesting to note that God is also referred to as kardiognostes (knower of hearts). At the “heart” of the matter, God is the preeminent heart specialist! So make an appointment! God’s domain is always in network! No referrals needed! All salvations plans accepted! I hear that the benefits are out of this world!
Happy Valentine’s Day!