Significance of Human heart
The concept of the human heart encompasses a multifaceted understanding across various perspectives. In spiritual contexts, it symbolizes the emotional and spiritual core of an individual, reflecting desires, struggles, and the pursuit of divine connection. It is seen as a center for wisdom, consciousness, and emotional depth, often linked to one's internal battles and moral sensibilities. The human heart also serves as a metaphorical space for love and understanding, revealing the intrinsic human yearning for faith and truth. In contrast, scientific definitions focus on its physiological role as a vital organ.
Synonyms: Cardiac organ, Ticker, Heart, Muscular organ, Cardiac muscle, Pump, Organ
In Dutch: Menselijk hart; In Finnish: Ihmisen sydän; In Spanish: Corazón humano; In German: Menschliches Herz; In Malay: Hati manusia; In Swedish: Mänskligt hjärta; In Portugese: Coração humano; In Italian: Cuore umano; In Polish: Ludzkie serce
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Human heart'
In Hinduism, the human heart symbolizes the spiritual center, emotional core, and a metaphorical location of the highest Self. It integrates wisdom, consciousness, desires, and the pursuit of liberation while reflecting deeper existential struggles.
From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4
(1) The human heart is the supposed dwelling place of the soul, which people mistakenly believe perishes with the body's decay, leading to lamentation over the loss of their bodies.[1] (2) This is what something is attractive to, but is only a momentary thing obtained by all manner of evil means, resembling at best a flower shrub, growing out of a cave.[2] (3) The emotional core of a person, reflecting the internal struggles between hope and despair, and the pursuit of desires.[3] (4) In this context, it symbolizes the core of emotions and desires that drive thoughts and actions.[4] (5) Symbolizes the emotional and subjective perception of the world, illustrating how it perceives creation differently from the pure soul.[5]
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankaracharya)
(1) The passage about the angushthamatra was explained on the ground that the human heart is of the size of a span; the question may then be asked whether also such individuals as belong to other classes than mankind, more particularly the Gods, are capable of the knowledge of Brahman, mentioning the human heart.[6] (2) The physical organ within human beings, used here as a metaphorical location of the highest Self, which is said to be of the size of a thumb within men.[7]
From: Chandogya Upanishad (english Translation)
(1) Which is in this human heart; it symbolizes the center of emotional and vital aspects within a person.[8]
From: Tirukkural (Thirukkural)
(1) This refers to the feelings and emotions of people, which are gladdened by gifts, a joy unknown to those who hoard their wealth.[9]
The concept of Human heart in local and regional sources
The "human heart" serves as a multifaceted metaphor for emotions, desires, and spiritual insight. It embodies vulnerability, love, and the quest for understanding, influencing literature and reflecting humanity's innermost experiences and struggles.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) Ralph leaves the kingdom of Jack and sits on the seashore lamenting in the darkness of this aspect and the overpowering violence and selfishness of human nature.[10] (2) Anasuya, the narrator, is the witness of this drama of the destructive intrusion of a ‘patron’ into the sanctum of the human heart.[11] (3) The human heart is touched and the soul ennobled by spiritual leadership, which leads towards purification of soul and is a way towards deliverance, contrasting with the rational or scientific leadership that studies the conditions of the people.[12] (4) The human heart has a shadow beneath the lighted torch that is almost as deep, with the temple tank capturing not only my shadow but a reflection of my heart and soul.[13] (5) India’s land mass was described to be shaped like this by the first Russian from the space ship.[14]
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) The text mentions that no search has been dearer to the human heart than that which brings to us light from God, emphasizing its significance.[15] (2) This is where the work of the same divine influence, the unfolding of the same divinity in every human being, will become manifest when our eyes are opened and the heart is purified.[16] (3) Referring to the center of emotions and feelings, suggesting a place of vulnerability, and often implying the seat of love, compassion, and empathy.[17] (4) This is where every religious yearning exists, and has a hunger for religion, which sooner or later wants to be satisfied, according to the Professor.[18] (5) This expanded till it included not only the human, but birds, beasts, and plants, from the highest gods to grains of sand, according to the text.[19]
From: Bhaktavijaya: Stories of Indian Saints
(1) The human heart is described as a vessel that can contain God, creating a sense of doubt about the divine's nature and relationship to humanity.[20]
The concept of Human heart in scientific sources
The human heart, a conical, muscular organ, is vital for life. It pumps blood throughout the body, delivering oxygen and nutrients to organs. This is achieved through continuous, rhythmic contractions, ensuring the body's functions are maintained.
From: Religions Journal (MDPI)
(1) The human heart is the center of intellection, influenced by negative dispositions, but capable of positive qualities such as faith, penitence and security.[21] (2) The Pope from Krakow knows very well, from his own experiences of totalitarian regimes (Nazism, communism), that at the deepest level, evil coming from the human heart is a dramatic rejection of love, as stated in the text.[22] (3) Beauty, like truth, brings joy to the human heart, as was pointed out in a letter to artists.[23] (4) Faber acknowledges that the Chinese also recognize the susceptibility of the human Heart to the detrimental effects of desires, which can impact the Heart and lead to moral degeneration.[24] (5) The provided material states that the human heart is considered the home and primary key to a person's being, as well as a spiritual center.[25]
From: Religious Inquiries (Journal)
(1) Is not directly defined, but it is mentioned in the keywords, implying a connection to the themes of divine knowledge or abstract worlds.[26] (2) The human heart is characterized by the Qur‘an as having characteristics such as faith, which are regarded as having hierarchal degrees.[27] (3) Human heart is void of divine attitudes due to his original sin and fall, according to Edwards.[28] (4) The mystic vision of Guru Nanak reached its climax to find God not only in nature but also in the abode of the human heart.[29]
From: Sustainability Journal (MDPI)
(1) The transformations we need go deep into human hearts and extend across the diverse places of our shared, creaturely life to foster natural and social worlds that inspire love.[30]
Classical concept of 'Human heart'
From: Legends Of The Gods
(1) The human heart is the figure used to represent Egypt, which is also called Chemia due to its black soil, linking the land to vital and symbolic representations.[31]
From: The Literature of the Ancient Egyptians
(1) Two of these Chapters (29 and 30B) were cut upon amulets made in the form of a human heart, representing the importance of the heart in the afterlife.[32]