The Secret Behind Heart Shaped Rings And Why They Are Taking Over The World Of Jewellery

When thinking of the shape of the heart, it brings up connotations in our mind of love and romance. Perhaps this is because it is based on the image of two swans kissing; swans, the symbol of grace, elegance, beauty and calmness. When the swans bend their necks downwards, it evokes a feeling of humility, just how women over the years have been expected to act.

This shape is not as modern as we may believe it to be. It actually dates back to the 7th century, to the city of Cyrene, home of the North African plant silphium. Cyrene was famous for the trade of this rare plant which, due to it’s unique properties, was used as a form of birth control. However, as a consequence of its high demand and thus over harvesting, the plant soon became extinct. The government tried their hardest to have more silphium cultivated as it had such medicinal value. However, it was no use; the plant could not be farmed. As the plant was so important to the economy of the city of Cyrene, the government had coins made representing the silphium seed pot which in actual fact was the shape of the heart that we know today.

I love hearts. I used to love being a child and scribbling on my notebooks during class I♥(Insert whichever guys name I thought was cute at the time. It changed weekly!) Over the years I outgrew this habit, but I never outgrew the fun of hearts. And nor did I have to. They are everywhere. Even my sticky notes which seem to decorate my desk are heart shaped! And why not, they keep things amusing and keep me happy.