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What is a symbol of everlasting love?


Symbols of everlasting love have been around for centuries. They signify a deep connection between two people that withstands the test of time. These symbols often represent commitment, loyalty, and unwavering affection. Some of the most common and recognizable symbols of undying love include the wedding ring, the heart shape, roses, and the infinity sign. But what makes these particular symbols so special? And what do they represent about true and lasting love?

The Wedding Ring

The wedding ring is arguably the most universal symbol of eternal love and marriage. Wedding rings are circular in shape, with no beginning or end, representing everlasting love. They are made of precious metals like gold and silver to signify the preciousness and value of the marriage. The tradition of exchanging wedding rings stems back thousands of years, with the first recorded use in ancient Egypt. The ring is worn on the fourth finger of the left hand because ancients believed a vein from that finger led directly to the heart. Wearing the wedding ring on the left ring finger represents the connection straight to one’s heart. It signifies a vow and promise to be faithful, to cherish, and honor one’s spouse forever.

The Heart Shape

The iconic heart shape is synonymous with love and romance across cultures. It appears everywhere around Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, weddings, and other celebrations of love. The symmetrical, curvaceous heart shape represents togetherness and the joining of two souls. The heart first gained meaning as a symbol of love and affection in the Middle Ages, where it was found in paintings, manuscripts, and stone carvings of couples. The metaphor of giving one’s heart to another as an act of true love also grew in popularity during that era. Today, heart shapes are found practically everywhere love is celebrated and make perfect gifts for a special someone. The heart will likely retain its meaning as the embodiment of true and lasting love for many more centuries to come.

Roses

Red roses are the flower most associated with love. In fact, roses have carried symbolic meaning since ancient times. The ancient Greeks and Romans correlated different colored roses to different emotions – red symbolized passion, white represented innocence, and pink carried connotations of healing. Red roses were tied to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. Today, red roses represent beauty, passion, desire, respect, love at first sight, and romantic intentions. They are the perfect flower to express enduring and everlasting love. The gift of a single red rose or a bouquet conveys a powerful message of devotion and affection. Roses naturally shed their petals and whither over time, but their symbolic meaning remains constant – making them a fitting representation of long lasting love.

The Infinity Sign

The infinity symbol, often used in jewelry, tattoos, and other decor, has become a mainstream symbol representing never ending and infinite love. The continuous loop signifies eternity, empowerment, and everlasting bonds. It depicts a love with no start or finish. Couples frequently incorporate the infinity symbol into wedding and engagement rings and other wearable keepsakes as a reminder of their enduring love. The sideways eight curve of the infinity emblem is believed to have stemmed from ancient Tibetan art and Celtic symbols. But its modern use as a love symbol grew in popularity in the 1960s. The sign conveys limitless, empowering, and eternal love – making it a sought after icon.

Love Knots

Celtic love knots, also referred to as trinity or eternity knots, consist of a three looped shape with no identifiable start or end. They originated in the Middle Ages in Europe. The intricate looping symbolizes how two souls are interwoven and connected in love eternally. There is no beginning or end to the knot, alluding to everlasting love. Love knots frequently decorated ancient Celtic art, architecture, and manuscripts. Today, they remain a powerful emblem of enduring love. Love knots are popular in wedding rings, marriage tattoos, and other marital mementos. The interlaced looping pattern epitomizes the connectedness and fidelity of two lovers in a relationship that has no bounds.

Lovebirds

Lovebirds are a species of small parrots native to Africa that have become symbolic of passionate, monogamous love. Known for their affectionate natures and long lasting pair bonds, lovebirds come to represent true love and dedication. They are frequently given as gifts and incorporated into wedding decor and jewelry. Ancient Greeks and Romans considered lovebirds sacred to Venus, the goddess of love. Today, lovebird figurines and artwork remain popular romantic gifts exchanged between couples. Giving lovebirds signifies everlasting love.

Love Locks

Love locks have become a modern phenomenon of symbolizing eternal love around the world. The tradition involves affixing a padlock onto a public fixture, like a bridge, gate, or fence, and then throwing away the key. This is usually done by couples who carve or write their names on the lock. The permanent lock with no key represents their committed love with no end. Love lock destinations have sprouted up in cities worldwide, with locks left by thousands of couples. A few locations have cracked down on love lock tourist attractions due to structural concerns. But the appeal remains strong among couples seeking meaningful symbols of their enduring love.

Symbol Meaning
Wedding Ring Everlasting marriage & commitment
Heart Shape Joining of two souls in love
Red Roses Passion, beauty, romance
Infinity Symbol Eternal, empowering love
Love Knots Interwoven, never-ending love
Lovebirds Affectionate, dedicated bonds
Love Locks Committed, unbreakable love

Conclusion

Symbols of eternal and enduring love have spanned across cultures and generations. They speak to the human desire for meaningful connection and lifelong bonding with a partner. While styles and trends change, the sentiment behind these symbols remains constant. They represent passion, commitment, fidelity, and the mixing of two souls. The most iconic love symbols capture the essence of devotion in visual metaphors and motifs that still resonate today. They grace wedding ceremonies, anniversaries, gifts, artwork, jewelry and other romantic tributes. Symbols provide tangible ways to express the incredible power of love that withstands all tests of time. Ultimately, while symbols alone cannot keep love alive, they pay homage to the beauty of romance that never fades.