Heart In Hands Art Symbolism

"Heart in Hand" symbolism is rich throughout history. The symbol, most certainly derived from the Sacred Heart of Jesus, begins to evolve in medieval depictions of saints, including Augustine, Catherine of Siena, and Bernardino of Siena.

But the heart-in-hand symbol as we now see it, originally emerged in France in the 1500s as the personal seal of Protestant reformer John Calvin, representing giving his heart to God. In the 1700s, the symbol was picked up by Mother Ann Lee, the founding leader of the Shakers, to represent her guiding philosophy of, "Put your hands to work, and your hearts to God."

In the early 1800s, the symbol was adopted by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) to symbolize charity & benevolence. And, of course, the heart-in-hand blossoms into the more romantic notion of love with the Victorians.

Today, the symbol is less about religious devotion, fraternal service, or even romantic devotion and has settled into a more secular sentimentality of general benevolence & love of humanity.

In my Heart In Hand works, I play with the symbol and the notions of reliquaries, elevating the natural world as well as the powers of the mystic eye into the sacred space of devotion, benevolence, & love. As is typical in my artworks, antique & vintage pieces & inspirations are incorporated.