Valentine’s Day is once again upon us. In 2006, Keelin McDonell attempted to track down the origin of the holiday’s heart-symbol to explain how it got its familiar shape. Her article is reprinted ...

But have you ever wondered why the ️ looks the way it does? Whether it’s a chocolate in heart shaped box, an emoji with hearts for eyes, iconic design such as I ️ NY or even liking an image on ...

They are plastered all over candy and billboards. They're everywhere on social media and throughout pop culture. From jewelry to emojis, the heart icon has symbolized love for centuries. But why?

The heart is universally recognised, its iconography found in art, advertising, and everyday exchanges. For Valentine’s Day, hearts on cards, as cakes and balloons and as one of the most used emojis, ...

It’s that time of year when our attention turns to letting others know what’s in our heart with cards and other Valentine-related gifts. It’s also a perfect opportunity to get to the “heart” of the ...

The heart is central to human survival, pumping our blood and helping circulate oxygen throughout our bodies. The heart symbol is central to popular culture, seen everywhere from classic artwork to ...

Download the MP3 audio version of this story here, or sign up for the Explainer’s free daily podcast on iTunes. Americans will dole out countless Valentine’s Day paraphernalia today, a good portion of ...