Garden Hearts

Photos of the world's most beloved symbol

taken in gardens across the US and other countries

by Felder Rushing

The "heart" shape, which is one of the best-recognized symbols in history and all over the world, was used in pottery and other art as long as 5,000 years ago, usually depicting leaves. The fig leaf became heart-shaped in Buddism, and symbolizes enlightenment. By the 12th and 13th centuries A.D. it was being used widely to depict “love” in its many splendors, including both spiritual (eternal love and faithfulness) and physical (erotic, physical love). By the late 1400s it was showing up on decks of playing cards, and from there it became a cultural mainstay, culminating in Victorian-era St. Valentine’s Day cards.

In garden settings I have found hearts painted on walls, cut into fences, made out of bent metal, planted in daffodils, and made out of pebbles and pottery bits impressed into concrete. I have a pair of plastic pink flamingos creating a heart shape as they face one another intimately. There’s even a cool blue stained glass one overlooking the grave of Elvis.

The Garden Heart is here to stay. Does your garden have <3 ?

(think about that symbol - look familiar?)

...